So, I am new at this blogging thing. In the past few weeks I have subscribed to several blogs, one of which is the Connected Principals blog. Reading blogs has opened up a whole new world for me and has me excited about learning. A friend told me last year that I needed to get a journal where I could have a place to put my ideas and the ideas I have learned from others. This is a very wise friend. I love to go back and read the compilation of ideas that seem very different at first, but come together perfectly to help me become a better learner and leader.
Tonight I read a blog by George Couros (@gcouros) titled "Empower" is Not a Bad Word where he discussed the word "empower". Here is what I wrote in my journal from his blog:
One element of the word "empowerment" is that it denotes servant leadership. "Giving" and "Making" are ways we can honor these people that we serve. Focus on making an environment where people can be their best selves. Help them become strong and confident. Do what you can to push and support people to bring out something in them that unleashes more than what they would even expect of themselves. He also gives the definition of empower as "to give power to (someone); to make (someone) stronger and more confident.
Next I read a blog by Dan Kerr (@DanKerr1) titled Developing Entrepreneurs. He states: Young people can be empowered to change our world for the better when given the opportunity.
So I began reflecting on these two blogs and how they impact me as an educator. I read George's blog with my leadership hat on and began contemplating how I could make opportunities to empower teachers. Then I read Dan's blog and wondered how I could make opportunities that would empower students. So I think the question for leaders becomes (or the question I am asking myself):
How can I, as a leader, make opportunities for teachers to make opportunities for young people to change our world for the better?
BE A MODEL...I must model for teachers what it is that I want them to do for their students. If I want them to give their students autonomy, then I must be willing to give them autonomy. When I am modeling this, it is not about what would work best for me or is most convenient for me, but knowing my staff well enough, their realities and their viewpoints, that I can create an environment in which they feel safe and accepted to design powerful experiences for their learners.
BE WILLING TO LOSE CONTROL...Okay, that may be a tough one to do, lose control? Well, Covey (1991) makes it clear that one person can't empower another person. We, as empowering leaders, set conditions for empowerment. One of those conditions is that we lose control...to gain influence. Not just haphazardly and without thought, but with a laser like focus on results (I have my own thoughts about how and what results we decide matter, but that is a topic for another blog).
As I close this first blog I am interested in what your thoughts are on my question. If you are a teacher, how do you make opportunities for your students to change our world? If you are a leader, how do you make opportunities for teachers to change our world for the better?
Look for a young person to empower this week; I promise you will be the one who is blessed.
