During the month of October, it’s time to reflect on leaders that are leading other leaders. All along this leadership path, there have been amazing people that have taken the time to ensure I have whatever I needed to lead. It’s not easy to lead leaders. So who are these amazing people that I have to thank for molding me into the ever-growing leader that I am becoming? Let’s start at the beginning…
My parents:
I did say start at the beginning, right? I have to undoubtedly thank my parents for providing everything that I needed growing up including time management skills, good work ethic, empathy, compassion and a strong belief in faith and forgiveness. I look at my daughter’s schedule and I try to reflect on what I did when I was in high school. If I was not playing sports I was working. I didn’t get in trouble and I followed a career pathway because I was provided with what I needed at that moment. I was also taught to take ownership of my mistakes and to forgive and learn from betrayal/distrust. To this day, I do not hold grudges, I look at mistakes as opportunities to grow, and lead with love with both adults and children. Thank you mom and dad!
Tammy Rhoades:
Tammy took a chance and hired me for RCS. She was my first principal and provided effective criticism to a young and lost teacher. I watched her hold everyone accountable and advocate for ethical policies that created a culture of fairness and high expectations. Tammy not only started the process but took me in as a principal. She asked the hard questions. She put me in my place when needed and included me in what has been the strongest peer group to date. Tammy's leadership is one I look to in tough situations and still rely on for daily decision making. Thank you Tammy for hiring me and then teaching me leadership qualities that I will use my entire career.
Jennifer O’Brien:
Jennifer came in as a first year principal to a failing school. She flipped a culture in a year. I watched her build a strong team that believed we could hold students to high expectations through data analysis. Under Jennifer's leadership, she implemented LEAP time for Fairview and with this change in practice, we had one of the highest test scores in the district. She saw something in me and provided leadership opportunities that helped develop my love for leading adults. Jennifer was the one that said go do it. I left the classroom for elearning and then she said go again! Sitting across the table from her to interview for principal was a blessing she initiated as a building level leader. She is the reason I look for strengths in each teacher and encourage them to go and find their passion. Thank you Jennifer for believing in me and your continued leadership. I am very proud of your passion for our district and what you have accomplished!
Karrianne Polk-Meek:
My human....wait those would be her words. In this crazy profession, you must find the people that will support, encourage but also push you in the most difficult times. When I first met Karri, I was an elearning specialist trying to balance working with teachers and principals. Karri was quick to make a connection and then handed me a book. In typical Karri form, I'm sure this was a test to see if I was capable of having an intellectual conversation with her. I must have passed the test because along the way I remember her pulling me into her office and telling me we were going to be friends. She saw the path in front of me before I did. As my mentor, she spent hours in developing me and putting up with my emotional roller coaster of a first year. Not only did a mutual professional relationship develop but also a bond like no other. We have many differing opinions on many different fronts, but we know our parameters as friends and as leaders. Karri, you have taught me more than what I can write in a paragraph but just know your friendship has lead me through the darkest times of this leadership journey!
Elizabeth Markward:
I've known Liz since high school but as educators, we didn't become close until I joined her on the admin team. Liz's strengths were my biggest opportunities of growth. I learned very quickly to play off the skills of the team from Liz. She would jump in and say, let me do that. She knows her strong skill set and she shares it with the team. She models how to be part of a team and makes sure everyone feels involved and has a role. She reminds me to be firm and follow through. Her organization is like no other and I appreciate her thorough knowledge of special ed law. Liz, thank you not only for your leadership but also your friendship. I've loved the past 5 years and becoming closer. You have been a great mentor and friend.
Dr. Corey Hartley:
Dr. Hartley was my first district leader that guided me as I developed into the role of principal. Dr. Hartley, yes I will always call him Dr. Hartley, was able to lead by modeling. He took things he had passion for, like self-efficacy and teaching students in poverty, and created interest in learning more. He never pushed agendas on us or demanded we lead our staff as he would. He put things in front of us and kept them there. It was our job, as leaders, to grow and learn from these opportunities. My growth over the past four years has come from his leadership style. I appreciated not being micro-managed and trusted to do the right things but also being held accountable to his high standards. His ability to discuss pedagogy and urgency with teachers and then watch him turn the decision making over to them for ownership builds a culture of trust and accountability. Dr. Hartley, thank you for modeling your leadership for our district along with the connections you made with both adults and students. I admire your compassion and wisdom to our profession.
IPLI Peers:
Jumping into IPLI, during my second year as an admin, I quickly knew I was with some amazing people that I didn't feel worthy to be around. I listened and watched them interact. Then, when I became comfortable, I jumped into the conversation. I learned more in my 2 years from my cohort than I did from any admin class. Our shared drive quickly filled with many things that I can reference to this day. A professional organization was something I didn't know I needed until I jumped in. Thank you Jami, Jered, Jessica, Karri, and Lynlie for your collaboration and support!
My Current Peer Group:
As you look at the picture below you will notice people come and go. The turn-over rate in administration is not something I expected until I started. The one thing I've learned through this entire reflection is we have to do it together. Collectively, we are a powerful resource and we have to make time to talk to one another. There are great things happening in each of your buildings and I love watching each of you grow. The one thing that I crave is feedback. I invite any of you for instructional rounds because I desperately want to learn from you and with you. Each of you impact my leadership in a different way and I want to say thank you. Thank you RCS for growing me from a second grader to a fifth year admin. We R Richmond!
I find most of my time is dedicated to teachers. Today, I took a few moments of reflection to thank those that have instilled these small moments in my own leadership. They have no clue I'm writing this and most, if not all, will not like the attention. As servant leaders, we are not use to or expect recognition for what we do. Today, I say thank you to all those that are leading. Thank you for being brave enough to put yourself out there and lead leaders!
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