My Leadership Journey
Hello, I’m Darlene! Welcome to my site where I’ll be sharing lessons- I’ve learned in my 30-year journey as an Educational Leader.
One important thing I’ve learned is there is no ONE PATH in one’s career. There are many avenues and no “right” way to progress through the leadership pathway to reach your highest goal.
My path included serving as a classroom and Mentor Teacher before moving on to Assistant Principal and then a Principalship. For family reasons, I resigned from my Principal position to return to the classroom. This was considered a big no-no at the time, and many predicted I could never attain a principalship again.
Well, that turned out to be incorrect! Just a few years later, I returned to my work as a principal after which I moved on to our local County Office of Education as an Administrator.
As a County Office Administrator, I was afforded a rich and unique opportunity to work with a plethora of education leaders throughout our region. I learned that while individual districts do indeed have unique characteristics, there are common principles and issues among all and that opportunities to think and share with other professionals are a must.
My next step was to return to a local district as a Coordinator—a step “down” from my county leadership position, but an amazing opportunity to continue my work at the district level.
Before leaving public education to serve as a coach and consultant, I served as the Assistant Superintendent in Education Services, a position that afforded me the chance to bring my knowledge to bear and, at the same time, to continue to learn new things.
One thing is certain: we are never done learning!
The traditional pathway is one where educational leaders were expected to start as teachers and move through a tight progression toward a leadership position at the district office.
This is no longer true! And possibly, it has held us back from being truly innovative. The idea that one must be “loyal” to one district and follow a designated progression works for some, but it isn’t the only way. Never feel limited to what others consider the right way. My pathway gave me insight into the workings of many different districts and helped me a gain a broader perspective.
My advice, then, is to be bold, to put yourself out there and explore new positions that interest you. To gain as many experiences as you can at all levels of your career. This will give you important insights for any position you pursue, including dedicating your life’s work in education as a career teacher, principal, or Assistant Principal.
We all recognize that leadership occurs at every level of the educational hierarchy.
And that the classroom teacher is perhaps the most important position. All other leadership positions exist to support our classroom teachers. This is not a novel thought but is often forgotten the further we are from the classroom.
For leaders in education, then, Job I is to create the conditions where teaching and learning are maximized. This is a significant concept to keep in mind. And one that informed my role as a district leader. Even as one progresses to “higher” levels of leadership, such as Teacher on Special Assignment, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, Coordinator, Director, Assistant Superintendent, and finally, the Superintendency, my most important takeaway is to measure all actions, all plans, all goals, against what’s best for kids.
Given that BIG IDEA, what’s best for kids is my main driver as a leader.
here are some of the most significant lessons I’ve learned along the way:
Build relationships.
My first superintendent modeled his mantra, “Relationship is everything,” every day. He built relationships with teachers, custodians, office staff, and administrators by calling them by name and learning something about their lives outside their jobs.
Lesson learned? Get to know your staff, their family members, they’re struggles, their travel plans, anything you can to build rapport as a human as well as a leader.
Show vulnerability.
Getting to know your staff, your students, and your parents personally doesn’t mean you need to tell overly personal things or become best friends. But sharing your uncertainty about some decisions, asking for help, and engaging in collaboration with your community makes it clear that you don’t think you know everything and that you value others.
Lesson learned? It’s not YOUR school. It’s a big community of folks coming together for the betterment of kids, with you at the lead. The more authentic you are, the stronger the relationships.
Communicate.
When you share information with your community, be clear. Use a variety of ways to get the information out. Don’t rely on one communication device but use as many ways as you can, as frequently as you can.
Lesson learned? Overcommunicate. Remember that an idea or information needs to be shared at least seven times before it’s understood.
State clear expectations.
When you are super clear about the goals of the school, the outcome of a team working together, or an area of concern for a staff member, you are not micro-managing–you are actually empowering people.
Lesson learned? Stating expectations clearly affords an individual or team a clear understanding of what they need to do. It helps build trust and leads to stronger relationships.
Create a safe space.
You can establish a safe space to share ideas, where all voices are heard by establishing agreements or norms for working together. This is important for creating a rish-free culture, one where everyone has a voice.
Lesson learned? Embed norms into your staff meetings, leadership teams, small groups, grade levels or department meetings. Developing a strong commitment to the practice of following norms in meetings, you are continuing to allow a few voices to speak for the many, and limiting innovative ideas.
Use processes and protocols.
It’s important to intentionally plan meetings that are engaging. Incorporating processes and protocols ensures that your meetings are successful for all attendees as it builds in opportunities to talk and share, put new ideas on the table, give everyone a voice, and at the same time, learn new protocols.
Lesson learned? At least half of any meeting should include team building. This is accomplished through activities designed to build your team’s commitment to the vision, goals and to one another.
Be mindful.
Another hugely impactful quote I picked up along the way, is this: You communicate your values and beliefs in everything you say and do. It’s critical to be mindful of this as a leader.
Lesson learned? Be intentional in your words. Walk through classrooms regularly. Observe your team in action. Give feedback. Be clear.
And finally…
Don’t punish the many for the indiscretions of the few.
This is a BIG leadership principle that I learned the hard way. In our quest to avoid a difficult conversation, we might send out a written message or make a broad statement about a responsibility that one or two folks are not upholding. This is the best way to violate trust with your team. Discussing issues with individuals in the moment avoids resentment from those who are carrying out their responsibilities as expected.
Lesson learned? Be honest. Confront your team members individually as needed. Write down what language you will use for this difficult conversation and stick to it. In the long run, you will gain trust and respect from all.
To sum up, each of us has our own unique leadership journey. The key is to step up, take a chance, and follow our passion. The more we experience new things, new places, new learning, the better we are able to see the broader perspective. So, follow your journey wherever it leads.
These are just a few of the big ideas I’ve learned along the way in my professional journey. What are yours?
