Geoffrey Canada, Founder & CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone
POST UNDER YOUR LC Discussion Board in Webct
As you prepare for review of the purpose and roles of the school community relationships, you will be asked to review this article for Q&A discussion.
What does this interview demonstrate to you as an aspiring educational leader?
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Let's Talk-
Many of your comments on the Common video led me to provide you with an idea of visionary perspectives on the leadership and lyrical genius of EWF's music and its relationship to ELCC Standard 4 and its elements-
Select at least on element from ELCC Standard 4 and provide a review of how the song and the cover of the album support your selection( due October 17, 2011.
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Many of your commits on the Common video led me to provide you with an idea of visionary perspectives on the leadership and lyrical genius of EWF's music and its relationship to ELCC Standard 4 and its elements-
Select at least on element from ELCC Standard 4 and provide a review of how the song and the cover of the album support your selection( due October 17, 2011.
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YOUR OFFICIAL RESPONSE SHOULD BE A COLLABORATION OF YOUR LEARNING COMMUNITIES DISCUSSION AND FINAL GROUP WRITTEN POSITION STATEMENT.POST UNDER YOUR LC Discussion Board in Webct
Thank you,
NLM
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3 comments:
Also posted under WebCT Q&A...
In the interview with Ms. Neil,a couple of things stood out to me. First, I would like to know how long she was in the classroom? She mentioned that she had the pleasure the work with interns who were strategically placed with her by CAU who had a similar personality traits that aligned with her own leadership style. Did the interns get the opportunity to interact with one another? If so, how did they respond with having the pleasure of also working with individuals with like personalities and temperaments? I wonder would the climate and productivity be different if CAU deliberately selected more heterogenous triats (sort of like how they select individuals for reality television because they know certain personalities clash)? Or do I have it all wrong? Was it random selection?
Secondly, it was mentioned that Ms. Neil had a remarkable history of success as being a "calming" force even when dealing with rather difficult students. As an educator, I'm definitely not considered anything calm. I'm more of a Joe Clark, Coach Carter, Denzel Washington from Remember the Titans kind of teacher and I get the same results. As she was saying, I think its more about building relationships and showing students you genuinely care about them outside of academics that matters. Her personality has somewhat to do with how effective she's been with troubled students, but it's more so because she takes the time to build those relationships. I snap, fuss, and straight go off in the classroom, but I always, always take the time to get to know my kids individually on a non-academic level and motivate them. I've been very successful with getting them to do their academic work because I take the time out to build the relationships first. They know I fuss because I care, and I care because I fuss.
One of my basketball coaches told me, "When I stop fussing, that's when you worry." Kudos to Ms. Neil for relationship building.
The interview demonstrated that leaders must continue to make connections with the people, environment, and learning community. Leadership connections are truly of great importance, especially in chaotic times. Markham (2006) contended that leadership should be grounded in the ability to create relationships and is central to the global healing of organizations. The old tactics of devaluing, bulling, or refusing dialogue are reckless violations of genuine leadership. Leadership is a relational activity at heart and must be transformative in nature in order to be successful. “Simply put, in the best of all worlds, people who cannot relate should not be in leadership today. It is too dangerous to our survival” (Markham, 2006, p. 6)
Reference
Markham, D. J. (2006). The Leader's Mantle: Creating Connection in Chaotic Times. Human Development, 27(4), 5-12. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Watching this video clip and listening to Monica speak highlights the power effective leaders have and the abilities they have to carve out space in the world for their ideas and commitments, which are often closely related to, or representative of the ideas and commitments of their followers or constituents. Monica mentioned that she believes strongly in leading by example, and what has people follow a leader? It is the leader’s ability to influence the shape and appearance of the world around them to be consistent with his/her ideas and commitments as a leader.
Monica spoke about having calmness in life and creating an environment for the children that allows them to be personal and share, feel loved and most importantly a safe space that allows a relationship to be established and nurtured.
Monica made me think about myself as a leader and if I am in a leadership role, I am going to give my word to fulfilling specific outcomes that can be observed in reality. The outcomes I give my word to will be determined by my ideas and commitments, and the ideas and commitments of the people I represent. My ability to keep my word will determine whether people continue to listen to me.
My example may be completely inane, but the concept is extremely valuable. In a position of leadership, your legacy is determined largely by whether you keep your word or not. People will measure you against your word. They will watch carefully for evidence of whether the world is shifting and changing to align itself with your word or not. Keeping your word builds people’s confidence in your leadership, which extends and expands your reach and influence as a leader.
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