Teacher Leadership Reflection:

As I read chapters 1-3 from “Awakening the Sleeping Giant” I compared the idea of the
quality teachers and teacher leadership to the elementary school I teach in and to our
district as a whole. There are many things that I agree with. First of all, I do agree that
school reform does need to occur because we are still living by the system that was
developed years ago and we all know things have greatly changed. When I began
chapter one it was stated that reform needs to focus on the classroom teacher and I
initially thought to myself that this is not our responsibility—TOO. However, after
reading further I now understand the point being made. Teachers need to BE the
reform because we are the ones working with students, families, and other teachers and
we know first-hand what is working and what is not working. We have the biggest
impact because we have all the necessary knowledge and connections. Awakening the
Sleeping Giant is encouraging teachers to use their skills and be leaders to make our
schools better for everyone. I know at our school we have many amazing teachers, but
I am also very aware that they are afraid to speak out and take on leadership roles. I
believe it is for many of the reasons discussed such as believing in themselves, fear of
offending others, and greater responsibilities. I feel that our principal is attempting to
“awaken the giant,” but may teachers still appear to be reluctant. For example, it is
required for us to be a part of at least one committee (PBIS, Reading, Math, WOW, or
Technology) and within each committee teacher is the leader. In fact, our principal does
not even attend all of the meetings. He also uses this ownership idea for our PLC
meetings. Each committee works together to plan engaging things for our students and
sometimes families, tool. The WOW committee is new this year and is a group of
teachers that focuses more on curriculum and testing. It is encouraged for all of us to
take on leadership roles. However, I still hear a lot of resistance and criticism about the
changes. I have also not heard a lot of buy-in. I believe that it is going to take more
time and encouragement and finding good fit roles for everyone. I do know that all of us
want what is best for all of the students. I hear a lot of burnout with so many poor
behaviors and demands. This school year is the first year that we have a full-time
behavior interventionist so I know we are on the right track, but just like many things it is
going to take some time to grow and improve. I sometimes feel like nobody really know
what to do with such severe behaviors. “Change in the schools cannot be mandated
(Fullan, 1993); chance is the result of person by person change.” “Schools improve
when individual teachers change their behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs to take on
leadership roles.” (page 8)

Drew Dudley’s video gave some very important points including that leaders do not
need to “change the world” rather we just need to do the great things we do because we
DO make a difference. When I learned of his “lollipop moment” I thought back to when I
was a second grader and I had moved to a different school and my favorite uncle had
passed away in the same month. My lollipop moment was when my teacher “Mrs.
Langbecker” was there for me. She cared, she listened, and she helped me cope with
all the changes so that I could still be successful. In fact, she is the reason I was drawn
to teaching second grade; I want to help all of my students feel valued. I also know that
I need to send her a letter or something to let her know the impact she made on me
because lollipop moments should be shared.

The article “Teaching is Leading” also has many important points including,
“Effective Teaching is Leadership.” To me this means that we are all leaders in our
classrooms because we lead by teaching WELL and building relationships with our
students. WE encompass everyday acts of leadership including courage, a clear vision
of what matters, strong relationships with others, and “resistance of the grind.” Within
our schools we have opportunities to lead by collaborating with families and colleagues,
lead through inquiry by questioning and planning, and lead by developing partnerships
outside of school to bring the community together. As I read these great ideas I
reflected on some changes I need to make including sending home more positives with
my students and bringing even more ideas to our PLC. I know that all of us have great
leadership skills and common interests for our students. I also know that in time more
leaders will awaken.