Teachers as leaders

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” (John Quincy Adams)

John Quincy Adams was on to something with this quote. I hope as a teacher I embody the attributes he describes a leader possessing. Teachers are dynamic people and I would argue need to be. To get 20-25 students to pay attention to you and be invested in what you are teaching requires a certain amount of charisma.

Being a leader seems like a natural extension of the role that I must fulfill as a teacher. I think that the two words: leader and teacher, are actually very interconnected. One does not really exist without the other. If I cannot inspire my students and encourage them to be invested in their learning, I cannot teach. Leadership is teaching.

In class we learned about some different definitions and characteristics of leaders but the definitions and attributes always came back to one important point: a leader helps people accomplish __.

When I started thinking about leadership it took me back to my first practicum this fall with my dear grade 3’s. I actually taught the students a lesson on leadership. In this lesson I was teaching students about the difference between informal and formal leaders. These bright young students were able to begin contemplating some of the abstract ideas about leadership.

In this lesson students were able to make connections that leaders do not always have to be the “boss” to be a leader. Or more figuratively, students acknowledged that a leader isn’t necessarily the person at the “top”. As one student insightfully responded “You can be a leader from the front or the back of a line. Sometimes the leader doesn’t stand at the front.” Ahh, for anyone who has every underestimated a child please re-read that non-verbatim statement. This student is 8 years old and was clearly on to something.

Teachers are leaders in society, but most importantly are leaders in classrooms. However, an effective teacher knows you don’t have to stand at the front of the class to lead students in learning. In fact, effective teachers know that the best learning usually doesn’t occur at the front of the room when they are talking. Being a good leader isn’t about always being at the front, just as my 8 year old little philosopher innately understood. A good leader is about inspiring others and helping others accomplish their goals. A good leader provides people with the assistance, encouragement, and support they need. A good leader knows that doing it all and telling others how to act and who to be are not the characteristics of a leader. Good leaders know that they must adjust their leadership tactics to suit the group or person they are interacting with. Good leaders know that it is a dynamic and ever-changing process. Good leaders encourage both independence, and community. Good leaders build morale.

A good leader is an effective teacher.

And effective teacher inspires students to be their best.