“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream
more, learn more, do more and become more then, you are an excellent
leader."
-Dolly Parton
Primarily known for her extraordinary contribution to country
music, Dolly Parton was also a huge ambassador, philanthropist and
lifelong advocate for education. Dolly hit the nail right on the head
when talking about educators, because educators truly are leaders. This
quote in my mind speaks volumes about the
true characteristics of an educator. Teachers are given a
tremendous responsibility: To care for the minds of the people who come
before them each and every day. For me, an educator is a leader and a visionary
with a compassionate heart.
Students come to
school not realizing the importance or the impact each school day has on their
lives. It is our job to create a consistent and structured environment, where
expectations are high but attainable. A teacher who is a leader knows how to
command his or her classroom and the level of respect is apparent both ways. In
my experience, working in both a traditional classroom setting and as a dance
teacher, I find myself constantly looking for ways to refresh my student’s “buy-in”
to their education. One of my students
“G” is a brilliant first grader who comes from a family of six. He has no
social- emotional disabilities or behavioral deficiencies that should prevent
him from being considered a Tier One student, but his actions say otherwise.
Long story short, I put this student on a sticker chart in hopes that this
would motivate him to change his disruptive behavior in my class. It took “G”
eight months to fill-up a twenty-five spot sticker chart, but every day, good,
bad or indifferent he would ask if he got his sticker. “G” finally bought into
the “End of Class Ritual” where he got to talk and someone stopped to listen only
to him. He earned a moment where I could tell him he was brilliant and to keep
up the good work or he was brilliant and “WE” would try harder tomorrow. Not “checking-in”
was not an option for this young man who on the last day of school, finally made it to the end of his
sticker chart proud of his accomplishments.
Teachers with a compassionate heart are willing to meet
their students where they are and lead them in the right direction not only
educationally but also socially and emotionally. A positive and fair learning
environment allows for better student growth and achievement, based on what is
attainable for that student. Children like “G” are the ones who force effective
teachers to be knowledgeable
about their students and address their needs individually. Personalized
learning plans do take a little more work and creativity. If our purpose is to
educate and create DREAMERS then we as the leader have the duty to take on the
additional task for the greater good of our students.
