Teacher Leadership Mini-Series: F.E.E.D the Teacher Leader in You! Part #1: Foundations

Welcome to a new week teacher friends! I am very excited for the next few weeks. This week starts an introduction mini-series to lead up to the KDP Teacher Leadership Development Summit on 2/24/24. I am particularly excited not just because this is our second annual summit, but because we have an amazing theme selected just for you! Also this: our summit is virtual and free for all so spread the word! Please visit my social media for information, or reach out to me!

So on to our theme...Our theme this year is “Leaders are hungry... F.E.E.D the teacher leader in you!” Each week we will break down F.E.E.D and get excited to hear our amazing presenters and keynote speakers at the summit to give us the fuel we need to confidently lead in our classrooms, schools, and beyond!

What is F.E.E.D? F- foundations, E- engagement, E-elevate, D- discover. 

Let’s start with “F”- foundations. This is open ended and can contain so many possibilities! When I think of foundations, what comes to mind immediately is how we establish ourselves as a follower first, than a leader. I also think, “what are the essential, foundational skills I need to demonstrate, focus on, and stretch?” Establishing a foundation for your leadership is key to getting started- which is often the hardest part. 

I think the answers to the preceding questions and figuring out what the foundation for us as leaders first comes from defining what teacher leadership is, and that can be a grey area for sure! Teacher leadership does not have one specific definition to it, but rather a compilation of different ideas and roles that develop its meaning. A simple Google search will result in seeing what many other great leaders have defined as teacher leadership, but it's important to take pieces of advice and design your own definition. Without having our own perspective, we are doomed to walk the footsteps of other leaders. We need to make our own path, and be our own leader in our own way. 

During our Leadership Development Summit, educators will have the chance to explore what other leaders have defined teacher leadership as, and compose a definition that suits where they are as a leader. Knowing where you are in your journey is also essential to the process of becoming a stronger leader. Whether pre-service or 25 years in, we can all lead in some way. By sharing our knowledge with others, being a role model to our students, and getting involved with groups/organizations that provide opportunities to learn and lead- network with others from different backgrounds and specialties. This is exactly what we will share at the summit as well! 

When thinking about myself as a leader, I always pause and ask if I can continue to make a good follower; someone who can allow others to lead me in areas I need to grow in, and embrace what they have to offer. When we are a good follower, we open our minds and hearts to others and ideas that can take our own leadership journey much farther, and faster! A good leader is one who can see the talents of others, harness them, and a great leader is one who lifts them up to lead while they sit in the back row learning. 

Another foundational skill that establishes us as leaders is acknowledging our mistakes. Allowing ourselves to learn from our mistakes is hard, but well worth it. The return on investment is that we learn and grow. We get the chance to reflect on what we can do better, and one day use that to help others. When we are vulnerable and take on the challenges as a learning opportunity, others gravitate toward us because we show we are not perfect (no leader ever is!) and we want to improve. I hope to see you all at our Teacher Leadership Development Summit on February 24th to learn more about the foundations of teacher leadership and expand what being a teacher leader means to you!

Final Thoughts: Keep thinking of the foundational skills that build teacher leadership. Keep being a follower first. Keep learning all you can about teacher leadership and develop your own definition of what it is. Keep looking for opportunities to learn and lead others, whether big or small, they will help you become the leader you want to be. Finally, keep your mindset positive and keep saying "Yes, I am a leader!"