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Can We Talk?: Engaging Others in Meaningful Conversations
Language is a leader's most powerful tool.
Leaders
depend on communication to get their messages across. Leaders
communicate for a variety of reasons. In general terms, leaders
communicate to…
- develop relationship with others
- enroll others in the change process
- showcase who they are as a leader
- advance the vision of their organization
- relay experiences, values, processes
- disseminate information
Like all other leaders, educators rely on effective communication to achieve their goals.
Communication is the Key
As teachers, you already know how important communication is.
Without effective communication learning is impossible.
Without
effective communication learning is impossible for students, teachers,
administrators, and the school as a whole. In fact, communication is
the key to school improvement. And teacher leaders play an important
role in communicating an ethic of continuous improvement.
Conversations about Teaching & Learning
Teacher
leadership is distinctive because it is grounded in teaching and
learning. In fact, teacher leaders engage their colleagues in
meaningful conversations about student learning and teaching
practices. Specifically, teacher leaders communicate to…
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Create a common understanding of their experiences with teaching and learning - Teachers
inform others about the relevant issues of the
classroom. Administrators rely on teacher feedback regarding
curriculum, teaching strategies, and student engagement in order to
monitor progress.
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Enlist others in a shared vision - Teachers
see the potential in their students and they know what is possible
for the entire school. Teacher leaders support and communicate an ideal
image of the future.
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Engage others in job-embedded professional development - Using
protocols, peer coaching, lesson study, and other forms of
collaboration teacher leaders communicate to support the learning of
their colleagues.
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Develop trusting professional relationships with administrators, peers, and the community - The
work of school improvement requires collegial, professional, and
trusting relationships. Teacher leaders engage others in open and
honest conversations about school change. Teacher leaders know the
importance of listening and suspending assumptions.
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Focus attention on student performance - Ongoing
conversations about student performance helps to maintain an
organizational commitment to increasing student achievement. Using
data, teacher leaders communicate their focus on student learning.
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Develop a critical mass for change - Systemic
change requires colleagues who share common goals and actions. Teachers
can enroll others in the change process by taking advantage of formal
and informal opportunities for information-sharing that can lead to finding common ground.
How Are You Communicating?
As
a teacher leader, you play a valuable role in helping your
school/district reach its goals. And communication is your most
powerful tool. It is important to use this tool wisely. What is the
nature of your conversations at school?
Make a commitment to focus your conversations on issues of teaching and learning.
Copyright ©2006, School Leadership Coaching – Evelyn Cortez-Ford
All rights in all media reserved.
The content of the Leading Teacher Leaders ezine may
be forwarded in full without special permission provided it is used for
nonprofit purposes and full attribution and copyright notice are given.
For other purposes, please contact Evelyn Cortez-Ford.
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