Leadership Connector, Continuous Renewal

Leadership Connector, Continuous Renewal

Developing a relationship with your-self in order to know yourself is the meat of this chapter. There are some pivotal moments in my life when I learned more about who I was that has now shaped me into who I have become. I can say that each of these moments brought some tears and laughter but I never ran from the difficult situations or hard consequences learned from my actions. I believe that attitude is everything and this is why I strive to stay positive and be positive with others on every turn.  I truly believe that I have found what makes me happy and that is teaching, but because I love it so, I don’t always put my health as my first priority.  I am trying to get better at this. It is always a struggle to balance health, family, job and spiritual well being for oneself so I am continuously learning from day to day.

Leadership Connector, Competence

Leadership Connector, Competence

This chapter so far is my favorite.  Motivation to learn helps one to seek competence. In the chapter I love the story about Oscar who with just a high school diploma had enough motivation to seek knowledge in areas he had no previous experience and he knew by doing so it would benefit his career path and advance him on the job.  Perseverance is the key in becoming a competent administrator. I love the quote: “A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops, while on the contrary an incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops.” I aspire to be the leader to empower my team and by doing so they will experience self-efficacy.

Leadership Connector, Safety

Leadership Connector, Safety

It is very true that all of us need to feel safe, but children need it in order to perform on a daily basis. Statistics have shown that children who live in unsafe environments do poorly in school because all their brain power is devoted to how they can remain safe. Currently there are a lot incidents on bullying on campus. Students do not feel safe, and they are scared to say so. All teachers and staff must look out for this on our campuses no matter where we are.

Adults on the other hand, also experience bullying on the job as well. In addition to the bully behavior list, the bully supervisor makes it their project to search for errors in your performance and may even ask other teachers for tips on your weak areas.  I have to admit that I have had a supervisor bully. It is an uphill battle that I do not wish for anyone to experience. The only good thing about my experience is  I have recovered and have become a wiser employee. Unfortunately, students cannot fight their own battles like adults. They need our help.

Ronda Turney

Video, The Drive

Video, Drive

The video was very engaging due to the artist gifted illustrations. I agree totally with the author in that many people desire to help others and that help provides them with an intrinsic satisfaction that can't be filled by extrinsic rewards.  I believe this is why being a teacher is so unique and different from other professions. That intrinsic feeling of helping students succeed is so powerful that good teachers will continue to teach year after year after year. Good teachers strive on intrinsic rewards on a daily basis and I am so happy I have chosen this profession.  Likewise with philanthropist, donors, and sponsors humans strive on being needed by others. It’s worth more than money and it feels a little void in our hearts.  

Ronda Turney

Leadership Connector, Support

Leadership Connector, Support

Support is to a teacher as a bottle is to a baby. We all need support and we all yearn for it at our sites. I remember when I was hired at Buchanan and my mentor Mary Noga on the very first day of school came to my room. She could tell I was very, very nervous so she offered kind words and told me I would be fine. Later during the same year, she came to observe my classroom and when she left the class I found a note on my computer that read, “you are a very good teacher and we are lucky to have you.” She totally lifted me to new heights that day. I was so moved by her powerful words that I sat down and tears swelled in my eyes and I still have this message in my desk. What Mary didn’t know was that I had not been supported like that at my previous job site, in fact no one had ever told me I was a good teacher.  Therefore, support builds relationships and my relationship with my mentor was a very unique one. Because of her support, I felt a part of the Buchanan family, Clovis Unified, and the community.   Because of her support, she validated me as a professional, she valued my teaching style, and she welcomed others to believe in me. As a teacher, I tell my students that I believe in them and I am there to support them to be successful just as I have experienced support. As an administrator, I hope one day that I will be able to lift my staff to new heights as well.

Ronda Turney

Leadership Connector, Communication

Leadership Connector, Communication:

Communication is the key in all relationships, professional, personal, parenthood, and even communicating in first time encounters. The quote by Marilyn Drucker says it all. “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said.” This is the mystery of communication. Leaders or administrators tend to do this very well. They will say one thing with a smile, but facial expressions and body language say something else. A good leader in my opinion, communicates with actions first then words spoken will either line up with the action or not.  This is where the words "true colors" comes from. It is true that actions speak louder than words, so as an administrator I hope to lead with my actions first then allow my words to confirm my beliefs, values and expectations. A good leader also possesses humor and can frame or adjust a bad situation into a positive one. Humor or wit and framing, in my opinion, is the art of communicating. It takes a lot of experience and personal character to welcome laughter and calmness with staff members without compromising sincerity. Regarding writing, most administrators communicate well with their writing, but sometimes the tone of the message is misunderstood. This is really a thin line to walk between emails and face to face, this is why I prefer either on the phone or face to face. Lastly, a consensus is very important in order to have buy in within the staff.  I remember our previous principal asked us to come up with ideas about our school motto. All ideas were shared and then we all voted on the best 10, then 5, then 3. Finally our motto was chosen by consensus. Therefore, a good leader listens to their staff and welcomes their ideas.  I really liked this chapter.
Ronda Turney

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