Where Have I Been?
When I think of the word “education” I think of one thing—possibility. Is that not what education affords us all? To me, education is like buying a lottery ticket. With the completion of each course I am one step closer to one more matching number and one step closer to the prize.
Where have I been? When I think about that question a million pictures flash before my eyes, not all of them pleasant. I think back to the beginning where I was labeled the poor child from the bad family who was a waste of time and resources. Sadly, that was just kindergarten and that label followed me through high school.
When, as a child, the education system labels as not smart and not worthy there is no way to escape that label. I was not able to start with a clean slate until, at age 24, when I registered for my first college course. I am not articulate enough to express in writing the positive effect that first year of college had on me. The professors did not know I was the dumb kid, only I knew that. When I did well in my courses there was this voice in the back of my head “you didn’t deserve that “A”, they must have felt sorry for you.” It took a long time for me to push that voice to the very back of my subconscious.
It was that voice that led me to co-found a private school in Appleton, The Academy. I wanted to create a place where students discover the joy and love of learning that I had found and a place where no child would feel like the dumb, poor kid. In many ways education is magical. It can take you places you could never imagine in both reality and in the world of make believe.
The more I learn about education, the more I want to learn. Which is why I went back to school to earn my masters degree and will hopefully earn my doctorate. I eat, sleep and breathe learning and education. Every new educational field that I learn about I want to learn more. If only there was the time.
My education fulfills another need for me, the need to prove to I am not the dumb kid, with a hope that I can erase that little voice from my subconscious. With each course I complete, in essence, the matching ball rolls down the chute. What is the prize I am hoping for? Intellectual acceptance by my peers and a professional place to call home.
Where am I going?
I am already looking for doctorial programs to continue my education in hope that I will be accepted into a program. I believe I have amassed a large amount of information from starting and running a school, and the education I am getting is only adding to my interest of all topics concerning education. I think that is why earning my doctorate and continuing learning through research will not only fulfill my need to support myself, but will fulfill need intellectual need to continually learn.
What Type of Leader/Manager am I now?
The article by John G. Gabriel stated what I think leadership should be. “For principals this trend is a shift from “relying on the power of the system” to “seeking to empower others”—or more specifically, a shift from “seeking to be in control” to “letting go of control and a building a community of relationships that tends to be self-organizing” (Gabriel, 2005) While someone has to be at the helm steering the ship, I believe that building a community of people that share the same vision for your school or organization will create a productive, well functioning, happy place for people to come to work.
Larry Leverett discusses this in Warriors to Advance Equity: An Argument for Distributing Leadership.
Leadership that embraces collective effort, promotes a sense of shared purpose and mission, engages many in collaboration across roles, and develops organizational cultures that set high expectations for adults and children is leadership that results in a more fertile environment for meaningful changes in the teaching and learning environment. (Leverett, 2002)
I could not agree with this statement more. I believe that people want more than just a paycheck. People spend more time at their place of employment and with co-workers than they do with their families. It only makes sense that through shared “purpose and mission” (Leverett, 2002) you will beget a creative, successful and productive environment.
Leadership Philosophy Statement
Leadership is about creating confidence and security for members of an organization. While a leader understands that the final responsibility is on their shoulders they still respect, listen and consider other’s ideas. A leader creates an equal playing field for members of their team and encourages an environment that encourages risk, creativity and new ideas.
Program goals and Dispositions
Goals
Envision and guide organizational change.
From my personal experience, guiding organizational change is difficult. People are afraid of change, especially when it involves the workplace. When there is change I like to be the type of leader that is cognizant of people’s fears and do my best to be reassuring. As shown on the COEHS model (Cramer, 2011) a Change Agent needs to be a caring intellectual in order to guide change with a minimum of discord. This is an area that I have improved on over the years, but one that I still need to cultivate. I am still learning to embrace change because of that my guidance and attitude could be more positive.
Communicate effectively, engage constituents, develop people and build community.
This is my weakest area. I have so much work to do in this area I really do not know where to begin. I do not consider myself a “people person.” I prefer the research and background tasks of being a leader. The COEHS model (Cramer, 2011) uses the term “skillful practitioner” when it comes to communicating, engaging, developing and building community I am hoping this program will help me with these skills as I will need to become an accomplished communicator to reach my end goal of earning a doctorate and perusing a university career.
Advocate and promote equity for diverse populations and respect for individuals.
I believe this is an area where I excel. I believe all people are equal and should be treated with respect. Though I feel comfortable with my skills in this area I am learning in my class with Dr. Parks that there is so much more than what appears on the surface in regard to promoting equity. As a lifelong learner my goal is to continue to question and learn about this area.
Integrate theory, data, research and ethical standards into the context of one’s practice through continuous learning.
This is the area of my education that I find most exciting. Combining everything I am learning into a cohesive set of knowledge. As shown on the COEHS model this where educators bring everything together as Change Agents, Lifelong Learners, Skillful Practitioners and Reflective Professionals. (Cramer, 2011)
Dispositions
Values change as the source of opportunity for improvement.
It took me a long time to see change as a positive. I was like the character Haw in Who Moved my Cheese, (Johnson, 2003)I fought tooth and nail against change until I did not have a choice. It was a sink or swim situation. I learned to embrace all the exciting possibilities and opportunities that come with change. It is not natural for me to embrace change, this is a work in progress.
Displays the ability to understand people and relationships and is receptive to the ideas of others.
I believe this is another area in which I excel. I think my past experiences have enabled me to be a good leader in this aspect. I believe in listening and respecting the ideas as everyone has value to add.
Shows willingness to implement non-discriminatory access, accommodations and assessments.
Before I started the Social Justice class with Dr. Parks I would have stated that this was an area in which I did not need any work. Through the classes I have and am currently taking I realize that there is an enormous amount of information I need to process internally and that I will constantly need to explore and continually question the status quo.
Demonstrates empathic understanding of diversity in all domains.
Again, I thought that this was an area where I was where I needed to be, but I know longer believe that is the case. As a white person I have realized through recent conversations and readings that it is not possible for me to truly be emphatic and understanding without much more discussion and learning.
Regularly reflects upon the philosophical assumptions, ethical principles and rationales that guide one’s practice.
I am a believer in keeping my mind open to new ideas. That is the only way to learn. Reading and discussions with my peers that challenge my philosophical assumptions help me reflect and question my principles and rationales that guide me.
Understands oneself as a learner and values learning as a core capacity.
Learning is one of the most important aspects of my life. I know how I learn and what I have to do facilitate that learning. The reason I want to earn my doctorate and work at a university is because I want to be in a constant learning environment.
Career Paper
My life has taken many turns, many of them unexpected. These fortuitous twists and turns have prepared me for my future. Every bad boss, every bad job, every struggle, and starting up two businesses, have taught me the value of people and education.
My career path has not been a straight arrow, I have zigzagged from working at dental lab, an oil company, a co-op, co-founding a biometric time and attendance company, and then co-founding a school. It was not until I entered the education field that I felt fulfilled. For the first time work did not feel like work. Doing research was enjoyable, in my downtime I read books about education. Everything about education fascinated me.
It was not until my divorce that continuing my education became a possibility. Now I have the possibility to earn my master’s degree and doctorate in order to have a career that fulfills my intellectual curiosity and goal to be a lifelong learner.
Postsecondary Education
“Many postsecondary teachers find the environment intellectually stimulating and rewarding because they are surrounded by others who enjoy the subject. The ability to share their expertise with others also is appealing to many.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011) This quote embodies what entices me to become a university professor.
Demand/Availability
According to the Bureau of Labor and statistics “Postsecondary teachers are expected to grow by 15 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is faster than the average for all occupations.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011)
Salary
The salary in postsecondary education varies from $41,080 to $86,730 depending on whether employment is at a trade school, community college or university. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011) According to The Chronicle of Higher Education there was an average of $53,300 up to $154,000 depending on area of the country and whether the job title was associate or full professor. (The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2011)
Location
Postsecondary educators have the option of moving anywhere within the United States as well as outside of the country. Their degrees and expertise afford them the ability to pick where they would like to live and work. According to My Budget 360, there are 4,800 colleges and universities in the United States. (My Budget 360, 2010)
Requirements
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics “Four-year colleges and universities usually require candidates for full-time, tenure-track positions to hold a doctoral degree.” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011) In looking at job availability at universities throughout the United States I found this to be accurate information. A position that at the University of Hawaii, Manoa requires:
An earned doctorate by time of appointment from an accredited institution in educational Leadership or related field, with expertise in quantitative methods (including multilevel modeling or structural equation modeling), assessment and measurement. (University of Hawaii, 2011)
These qualifications are consistent with other available faculty positions at Arizona State, Auburn University, and University of Texas, Austin. These universities are all places in which I would someday like to apply.
Conclusion
As I reflect on this program action plan I am reminded why I embarked on this educational journey—possibility. The belief in possibility is what motivates me to do homework until two a.m. and get up at six a.m. to continue working. This possibility is why at four a.m. I am researching doctorial programs. Earning a doctorate in education will turn possibility into reality.
Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2011). Retrieved June 25, 2011, from Bureau of Labor Statisics: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos066.htm#nature
Cramer, S. (2011). Introduction to Educational Leadership Syllabus EDL 701. Retrieved June 25, 2011, from Dr. Susan Cramer's Homepage : http://asimov.coehs.uwosh.edu/~cramer/701Syllabus/index.html
Gabriel, J. (2005). ASCD. Retrieved June 25, 2011, from ASCD: http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/104150.aspx
Johnson, S. (Director). (2003). Who Moved My Cheese [Motion Picture].
Leverett, L. (2002). Warriors to Advance Equity: An Aruent for Distributing Leadership. Laboratory for Student Success , 1-2.
My Budget 360. (2010). Retrieved June 25, 2011, from My Budget 360: http://www.mybudget360.com/debt-u-4800-colleges-and-universities-in-the-u-s-and-many-are-putting-students-into-massive-amounts-of-debt/
The Chronicle of Higher Education. (2011). Retrieved June 25, 2011, from The Chronicle of Higher Education: http://chronicle.com/stats/aaup/index.php?action=result&search=Enter+an+institution+name&state=&year=2011&category=I&withRanks=1
University of Hawaii. (2011). Retrieved June 25, 2011, from University of Hawaii: http://www.pers.hawaii.edu/wuh/nadvert.aspx?rn=11888&si=1021673&pn=1&sn=postdate&so=desc
