Weekly Journal 09-26-00

Section 1:  Preparation for class

David Marsh speaks of the characteristics of the ideal principal for the 1980s.  He reflects on what was expected by society of principals who would lead in the 1980s .  I believe that many of these same principals continue to be expected of our leaders today.  Many of our leaders continue to believe they must fulfill these expectations in order to be viewed as strong leaders.

Additionally, Marsh lists three stages he says school leaders progress through.  These stages are Getting Started, Doing the Pieces of Educational Leadership, and Understanding the Whole of Educational Leadership.  My impression is that it seems logical for leaders to progress through these stages.  Even with the knowledge of these stages, I believe it is necessary to progress through them for the sake of "growing" into the next stage.

Section 2:  Reflections

Marsh indicates that successful principals will invent a new form of educational leadership which joins collaboration and learning.  I assume this is not a cosmetic change and that many schools will resist these changes.  Will their success increase the possibility of other organizational leaders being required to conform to this type of leadership.  Finally, does this "requirement" that other leaders conform lead to more patriarchy because the educational leader is being told how to lead?

Section 3:  Applications

Upon reflecting on the reading this week I realized it is not necessary to be solely responsible for everything that comes about.  Furthermore, I will attempt to begin using more forms of collaboration with leadership.  For example, instead of determining what the objectives are for a committee I chair, I will provide the opportunity to work collaboratively with members of the committee to compile objectives.

Section 4:  "Light Bulb Moments?"

I was attempting to "come up" with a "light bulb moment" this week when I realized that I was trying to force myself into some insightful reflection for the sake of putting something down on paper.  I then decided to accept that I cannot always have a light bulb moment and that attempting to force myself into thinking of one takes away the spontaneity that is characteristic of the "light bulb moment".

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