Putting Educational Leaders to the Test
There are five types of educational leaders, and they all handle contemporary educational issues differently. Let’s follow Authentic Al, Transformative Tina, Transactional Ted, Servant Sally, and Distributed Dan to understand the theories that describe each of them. Then, we’ll look at contemporary educational problems to see how each of our leaders respond in practice.
Authentic Al – The Authentic Leader
- Self-aware, genuine, leads with the heart
- Puts school above self-interests
- Focused on long-term results
- Connects with others using emotion/vulnerability
Transformative Tina – The Transformational Leader
- Causes positive change on student learning
- Develops followers into leaders
- Improves morale, increases motivation and performance
- Knows teachers well
- Connects the mission and identity of organization to each person’s identity
- Role model who inspires teachers, students, and other stakeholders
- Effects outlive tenure
Servant Sally – The Servant Leader
- Helps others first before herself
- Builds relationships
- Isn’t consumed with the idea of being in charge
- Focuses on student learning and other needs
- Serves for the good of each person, not just the educational institution
Distributed Dan – The Distributed Leader
- Focuses on shared responsibilities by stakeholders
- Builds on the capacity of others to create change
- All levels in the school come together to improve student learning
- Not focused on one individual’s actions associated with the formal leadership role
Transactional Ted – The Transactional Leader
- Concerned with keeping school running smoothly
- Uses motivational techniques such as disciplinary actions and incentives
- Concerned with what is happening now, and not the future
School Climate
Initiatives fail if your school’s climate is not inclusive and supportive. Difficult issues facing schools require a climate where teachers, students, and other stakeholders want to participate in the process. A positive climate changes school cultures that fail to meet student needs effectively.
Leadership in Practice
- Authentic Al – ”I will do everything I can to show teachers, students, parents and others in the community that our school cares about everyone.”
- Transformative Tina – ”I value the culture of my school and work to create a vision that matches what we all believe in as a staff.”
- Servant Sally – ”I want to make sure to meet everyone’s needs, especially students.”
- Distributed Dan – ”We work as a committee to come up with the mission statement and values that reflect what our school community is all about.”
- Transactional Ted – ”I work to improve school climate by having lots of motivators such as rewards that will get teachers and students excited about being a part of the school community.”
School Accountability
Every educational leader needs to lead in the planning and adherence to accountability measures that measure student performance set by federal and state governments. Policies are often unpopular, and the leader needs to get everyone behind a plan to meet challenges posed by school accountability.
Leadership in Practice
- Authentic Al – ”We may not like testing. I am first to admit. But it is part of our job, and we need to do what is required of us.”
- Transformative Tina – ”I believe we can work together to bring about changes in the way we use accountability results to turn them into a positive learning tool for all.”
- Servant Sally – ”I will do my best to support teachers as they support students through the process of meeting requirements.”
I look at it as if it were a horoscope and we were assigned these qualities as leaders. Theoretically, it’s quite intriguing. However, educational leadership is transformative work. Let’s face it, this day and age we are making history with new policies, behaviors and practices. To set ourselves as educators as these personality type, ultimately puts us in a standard or box that some of the issues we face, is impossible to do that with. So whether you’re a servant Sally or a Transactional Ted, you’ll ultimately only be the only kind of you. You can be all of the said leaders above, but the footprint in this world will always be different because we all aren’t exposed to the same kind of people at the same time in the same career.