Transformational Leadership- Reflection Log

Transformational leadership is leading through empowerment, inspiration and example. Leaders who practice this style trust their staff to make informed decisions, which can motivate their staff to fully commit to a plan. These leaders are very comfortable not being in total control and see the experiences and resources that others have as a benefit to the school community.

Using a transformational leadership style can have a major impact on the way an administrator leads a school. Using this model, an administrator is likely to create teacher teams that will work together to make informed decisions. Since these teachers work with their students every day, they know what their strengths and needs are. The administrator will trust his or her staff to use this information to make appropriate decisions in teacher teams. Leaders will be more flexible because this model rests on the idea that it is non-linear and can change over time. However, it is important to remember that change does take time, so if a plan does not produce results immediately, it is important to remember to give it time to produce results before changing it. The school leader will act as a model to their staff, so that they pass along the same ideas to the students. Students need to feel empowered so that they take ownership over their own education. When students are able to make decisions, they are more likely to be motivated in the classroom.

I have worked with many teachers who are not comfortable with technology so they chose not to use it. In order to combat this issue, a transformational leader need be enthusiastic and inspire his or her staff when introducing technology integration. The leader will use technology in faculty meetings and will make sure that he or she is knowledgeable in technology integration. Trainings will be set up so that the staff feels comfortable using technology before they are expected to fully integrate it into their instruction. Once teachers are trained, the administrators may set up teacher teams to determine how technology can be used in their classrooms. Since the teachers know the curriculum and the students, they can determine how best to use technology in the classroom. Teachers can learn from one another and will have a chance to share their own ideas. This will empower teachers and help them commit to technology integration.

As a special education teacher, I have worked with administrators and teachers who do not want to deal with my students. The attitude is that they are my students and I should deal with them. With many schools adopting a Response to Intervention Model, general education teachers are beginning to take more of a role in the education of struggling students. Transformational leaders understand the need to individualize based on needs, which is used in teaching struggling students. These leaders need to educate and inspire their staff to believe that every student is their student and not a “special education” student. Allowing teachers to share information and ideas about differentiating instruction and behavior management will help teachers learn from one another and feel more comfortable teaching these students. Transformational leaders have high expectations of their staffs and students and they will expect that even the special education students are showing growth. Since this model is non-linear, it is a natural fit to creating IEP goals and accommodations, progress monitoring for growth and adjusting the plan as needed to best meet the needs of the students.

Overall, I feel that transformational leadership can be powerful in a school. Over the last seven years, I have worked with many administrators who have had many different styles. I have found that the leaders that listen to my ideas, respect my opinions and allow me to be a part of the decision making process, are the leaders that I have excelled working under.