Who Am I as a Leader?

I am a teacher.  Being a teacher is being a leader.  We lead not only students and our own learning, but we also lead our colleagues and staff members.  Articles and videos suggest that a great leader is one who builds up the environment making it a positive place to be.  A leader is someone who does not intimidate but instead encourages others to do well and make themselves better.  As a teacher librarian I have an incredible opportunity with all of the students in both schools to act as a positive role model, a leader.  Our school's faculty is filled with many great leaders.  I would like to consider myself to be a pretty great leader.  I almost always have a smile on my face and I am almost always presenting positive vibes in school.  I have been a role model to many students at the high school who rely on me to be the person they can go to.  I gladly take on that role.

My decisions as a leader are guided by the students.  They are also guided by the actions of our administrators. As a faculty we lift each other up and act as leaders to each other.

I have found that getting things done in the long term in any school district is very difficult.  Getting things done for the short term is a much easier task.  As a leader I chose to get things done myself when possible.  I always have the best interest of the students in mind when making decisions.

I believe communications is extremely important for any leader.  In fact I believe communication is very important in all aspects of life.  My communication is generally face to face.  With the students it is obviously always face to face but it certainly varies between students.  I take the time to get to know my students and how they respond to different interactions with adults and with other children.  When I learn their personalities and what they respond to best, I know how to communicate with them.  For example, I have one student in fifth grade that is very difficult.  He has a terrible attitude with specials teachers.  I have a very good relationship with him because I took the time to connect with him outside of the library.  I remember when he was in first grade I sat on a bench with him outside of the guidance counselor's office and rapped Eminem songs with him for a solid 15-20 minutes.  This gave us some common ground to build off of.  I rarely raise my voice to him because he does not respond.  If I need to speak to him I do it quietly and not in front of other students.  Communicating with adults is every bit as individualized as it is with students.  Adults need to be spoken to in different ways.  I try to communicate with everybody with respect because that is how I want to be spoken to.

I struggle having to make decisions.  If my husband and I are going to a restaurant I have to look at the menu during the day to have a good idea about what I would like to order.  Decision making in my role as a leader here at school is difficult as well because our decisions are not always supported.  Making decisions within my classroom however is easy.  I have routines and I encourage the students to be independent and make their own decisions.  My decisions making in terms of resources is strictly based on the motivation of the students and what their interests are.  They help me pick out books every year.

My organizational structures vary depending on the group, group size, age level and activity.  If I am reading to students the expectations is to sit, listen and engage.  If I am doing something with a maker space such as circuits, I expect them to be loud, collaborating and having fun!

I have so much to learn as a leader but I am willing to learn, that's a good start!

~ Meghan Maguire