Leaders are people with secret identities. They wear many disguises but serve the same leadership role. Leadership is the passion to lead a group to complete a shared task. Leaders influence a group to see the same goal and/or vision they do. Let’s see how they do in a face-to-face meeting.
Why do some classrooms look like they did fifty years ago? Listen to Kayla Delzer speaking at a TEDxFargo meeting about her mission as a teacher to revitalize the classroom environment and the learning experience. Kayla explains why giving students some ownership of the learning circumstances is so relevant. Such an important message:
Leaders inspire individuals to pursue something amazing, and in the end, the leader and the individual share that success. A leader has self-discipline, core values, a sense of identity, and emotional security. These characteristics are often skin-deep and masked.
Leaders are like icebergs! Think about how an iceberg is structured. You can see only a small portion of the iceberg above water, but most of it lies beneath the surface. It is a real ship sinker. This is like a leader: you see their skills above the surface, but beneath the surface lies their true character.
This also shows that you cannot judge a person’s ability by a quick look. Like the qualities listed, they are things we cannot see by just a glance. Such as: the ability to do what is right even if you do not feel like it, principles you live by, a moral standard, reference and implementation, realistic self-image, and emotional stability.
These beneath-the-surface qualities are unseen, but if you take time to look under the water, you will see the iceberg of leadership. Isn’t it all about applying our teaching philosophy? Self-discipline, core values, sense of identity, and emotional security help a leader achieve greatness. Security matters. Trust matters.
They share this greatness with those around them with their energy and devotion. Leaders motivate an organization. All in the desire to sink the ship like the great iceberg.
Also, in the Texas educational system, these issues are highly relevant and should be addressed, particularly in the state’s biggest cities with their specific big-city problems.
Actions are stronger than words
What we do matters more than what we say. We can say we will do something a million times, but it doesn’t matter until we actually do it. We can make plans, great ones, but they won’t matter until we take action. We can see mental health problems, but nothing will change until we actually do something about it.
So far in my time as a teacher, I have seen many school boards, administrators, and teachers take action on their goals. I have also seen some amazing members do the same.
When I was in Austin last week, I met a student who had a deep interest in working on developing a school forest. This member’s name is Ian Field. Ian’s first plan of action was to get his school on board with his idea. Little did Ian know he already had a school forest, but it was not in any shape to be put to use.
With the school board and administration’s permission, Ian applied for a grant through the National FFA with Mrs. Cordes’ assistance. Ian was thrilled to earn a $ 2,000 grant to help remove invasive species, plant native trees, and create educational kits for students in K-6.
He applied for a grant to get the equipment he needed to cut trees, plant new ones, landscape the area, and build tables. The school had him sign paperwork that allowed him to go out there and start working.
He got to work right away, cutting down brush and clearing fallen trees. Ian spent many hours on the project throughout the winter. Well, if everything is bigger in Texas, let our actions here be bigger and stronger as well!
The next year, the school changed administration and school board members. He was told he needed to stop work on his project. This was very hard for Ian because he had to get his project approved again.
The contract that he signed last year was considered invalid because he was under 18 at the time. They have now worked out an agreement that Ian can continue working on the project, with supervision.
By the time homecoming came around, he had a huge pile of brush with nowhere to put it. Then Ian had a brilliant idea of using the brush for the Homecoming bonfire.
Today, Ian is still struggling to get time at the school forest to do what he loves, but he is not giving up despite the fact that he developed some eating disorders. Ian plans to keep working as much as he can, and I help him by making sure his resume meets the most critical criteria so it gets noticed.
His next goal is to gain the trust of his school board members so he can go out there by himself. It is inspiring to see a member helping out his school and community.
Keep up the good work, Ian, and don’t give up on something you love doing. Ian’s story is a great example of taking action and truly not giving up. What action will you take today?