Journey to Leadership Part 1

My story is not much different than yours. I went to college to be a teacher. I've always wanted to be a teacher. I loved the idea of working with students to help their little minds grow.  And like you, I enjoyed making all the pretty lessons and activities and games in college. But then I graduated, and reality slapped me in the face. The pretty lessons and activities were a small portion of my job. The paper work, the meetings, the parents and the politics slowly took over. Somewhere in my 3rd year of teaching I made the decision that I could help other teachers. I began going to trainings that I thought could benefit all of my team, not just me. I would bring back the ideas, coach them on how to implement the new ideas and techniques and HELP them do it and make it successful in their own classrooms. Even veteran teachers were learning from me and asking ME questions. I devoured professional book after professional book to help myself grow as an educator so I could help my team. I spent that year making an impact on more kids than I ever realized. The 20 bodies that sat in front of me every day were getting all of me, but the 20 bodies that sat in front of the other 10 teachers in my building were ALSO getting the best pieces of me. That self reflection, as well as the evaluation of my growing leadership skills from my principal is what drove me to get my masters in Educational Leadership.

I worked and grew as an educator so much in those years. It gave me the confidence and the ambition for bigger things. After I got my masters, I decided to leave my small school behind in hopes to make a bigger difference. I spent the last two years learning the public school system. Again, reading and devouring all the information I could get my hands on. Volunteering for committees and attending SAC and PTA meetings. Learning all I could about the inner workings of a school. 

This year, my 3rd year in public education, I am enrolled in our districts leadership training program, Aspiring Leaders (ALP). I have attended 2 sessions so far and devoured all the information given to me. Both times I have left the sessions with my mind raising. I have kept a binder with notes from each session and I make a point to revisit the notes a few times before the next session learning all I can about what the presenters spoke about. I spend time typing my notes, going to the links the speakers provided, learning all I can about that small aspect of school leadership that was shared with us. 

In my reflection of my 11 years as an educator I see 2 overwhelming themes. The first is my thirst for knowledge. I want to learn and grow constantly as an educator and a professional. I have NEVER lost that love and passion for learning. The 2nd is my calling to help other educators and as many of their students as I can. It's been there, almost as a natural instinct since the beginning of my career. These two themes is how I know school leadership is my calling. 

This is just the beginning of my journey and I can't wait to see what the future holds.......