"Some are born leaders; some have leadership thrust upon them." The quote(or facsimile) kept going through my head this week as I completed a review of the reading courses for the Colorado Department of Education for Metro. When I began at Metro, ALL I wanted to do was teach, thank you. I shunned any hint of leadership. Been there, done that. Except for the Sunshine Committe, which I considered the least of many evils. Really, how hard is to collect "social" dues, buy paper plates, provide coffee and a snack schedule for meetings, and recognize birthdays? I enjoyed meeting everyone and being, essentially, the smiling Cruise Director. Easy stuff for a former personal chef. Everyone was glad to have someone take it over, and it fulfilled my "committee" obligations. So, while I was totally dedicated to my teaching, I resisted any real type of "leadership".
But then, during a Reauthorization Review, we find out the Elementary Education Department must meet the review requirements formally required only of new programs under the "Reading Directorate". Which courses are essential to every elementary education program? Reading!! Who is the only one who knows the two reading courses? Jackie!!
So here I am, working to revise syllabi and curriculum (curriculi?) that are ten years old. A lot has happened in ten years, and both syllabi are somewhat dusty. The week before Christmas was manic as we all worked together to make the proposal. I found myself newly appreciating my colleagues in Early Childhood and Special Education as we worked to coordinate all of our programs.
Then, in January, the review came back and we had revisions to make. And the due date always seems just this side of yesterday. So today everything went in. I find myself exhausted in leadership. But the quote?
The closest Google Quote comes from Shakespeare: "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." I may be thinking of what Dumbledore said to Harry Potter: "Some are born to leadership, and some have leadership thrust upon them." Anyway, it appears to me that when we pursue the course of doing the best we know how to do, leadership often is thrust upon us, and in reality we accept it without thought because it is the only possible course of action.
It seems to me that being an educator implies leadership on some scale,from classroom to school to district to college classroom. And while we may not relish that obligation, it is part of the package. We stand up for what is meaningful in the face of the red tape that always exists. A superintendent once said to those of us in a meeting for principals, "Follow all Federal and state laws, district policies, and do good things for kids."
My "kids" are just a little bigger now.
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Interesting post, Jackie! I have mixed feelings about leadership. I am fine putting together and running meetings and training people and pulling things together to do a big job. I'm not so great when it comes to having to talk to someone about their performance or even fire them (Ask me about how I had to fire an employee and then I promptly gave her my couch. I'd like to hear more about what you've done with the curriculum revisions!
ReplyDeleteI love how we try to avoid leadership, but find ourselves in those positions more often than not. I read a birthday horoscope back when I was getting my masters in educational leadership...questioning whether I was cut out to be a leader. Here's what it said within the first paragraph: "Although not necessarily suited for leadership roles, those born on this day may nonetheless find themselves at the top.... Ultimately, they are happier when working as an empowered member of a team." It still rings true today! :)
ReplyDeleteI like to remind my gifted students that to whom much is given, much is expected. You have many abilities and many have gained from knowing/working with you! Having the capability to affect change is truly a beautiful thing.
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