Michael Kennedy

EDAD 510
27 June 2014
Administrative Platform
In looking at teaching and learning, I believe the main factor that contributes to the
success of either is purpose. Individuals who teach, as well as individuals who learn, need
purpose to make the process meaningful. If an individual doesnt feel as if they have a reason to
teach or learn, neither will happen well, if at all. I also believe that teaching and learning share a
reciprocal relationship with each other. Neither is independent from the other, and both must
work together for the educational process to take place. I believe that every student can learn,
and its the responsibility of educators to give students purpose for education. If teachers can do
this, while maintaining a greater purpose for their own teaching, schools can be very successful.
Diversity in learning is not only essential, its inevitable. In our society today,
individuality is valued above most other social norms. The days of one size fits all educational
programs are past us. Those who can adapt a more diverse and personalized approach to teaching
and learning will be successful moving forward in the 21st century. The true test of success will
be how a school embraces the diversity that exists within its walls, and how students can learn
from each others unique abilities and experiences.
The learning potential of all students is unlimited, regardless of circumstance. Although
circumstances can be a barrier to learning, they are not the determining factor of a students
potential. Students come to school with a diversity of experiences and abilities, but they all share
the same potential for success in learning.

An effective leader can promote learning on his/her campus in a number of ways. First of
all, students should know that the number one purpose of coming to school is to learn. Often
times, the greater purpose of being at school can be lost by many student. However, if students
can see the purpose in learning, they will have a greater chance to achieve success. In order for
successful learning to occur, successful teaching must also be happening. Educators need to
value the learning of their students above all else. Educators who do this will be successful. The
best leaders will push everyone in their school to value student learning above all else.
I think that administrators must be able to display their proficiency and understanding of
teaching practices, in order to gain validity among the teachers in their building. Wahlstrom &
Lewis (2008) state, As an instructional leader in the building, the principal is expected to
understand the tenets of quality instruction as well as have sufficient knowledge of the
curriculum to know that appropriate content is being delivered to all students. After all, an
administrator that does not understand quality instruction will have a difficult time being an
instructional leader.

As an aspiring administrator, I often think about what my first administrative position

will be. I hope my first administrative position can be in a principal role. As a leader, its hard to
determine exactly what leadership style I would like to possess. I do hope that my leadership
style is more of a coaching style. I believe that people, regardless of position, rank, or status,
respond best to one-on-one situational coaching. I believe coaching offers the best means of
communication, because it involves smaller groups speaking freely about concerns and how to
address them. I do believe that being a coach will take more time and energy that other
leadership styles, but I also believe coaching is the most effective means to get work done and to

build strong relationships. I think issues can be addressed directly, efficiently, and concisely. I
believe coaching allows for communication to be personal and real, which is necessary for
building relationships.

Leadership is crucial for the success and vitality of any organization. Without the
appropriate leadership, organizations will fall into disarray. They will either lack the success, or
cease to exist. Organizations need to know what direction they are moving in because they are
comprised of people, all which have thoughts of their own. Sound leadership acts as a unifying
agent for all of these different thoughts. It works to channel these thoughts towards one common
goal. Without leadership, there is no common goal amongst members of the organization.
Without a common goal, an organization ceases to truly exist. Without leadership, an
organization becomes a building with different people working in it. The leader is able to unify
these people. I am interested in school leadership, because I have a passion for education and
believe I possess the characteristics of an effective leader. I believe I have the right ideas to lead
a school to great success and achievement. Bartoletti & Connelly (2012) said that leadership is
second only to classroom instruction among all school-related factors that contribute to what
students learn at school. For this reason, I think I can make a great impact on students by being
an effective leader.
I also believe I have the emotional intelligence to work with people, cultivating
characteristics to make the entire organization successful. I believe I will make a difference as a
school leader, because I will put student achievement at the forefront of anything and everything
I do. I think that all too often, educational leaders get wrapped up in managing their buildings,
rather than leading their people. I believe that the busy work of management will always be a

chore to complete, but it should not be priority. My priority will be achieving the goals set forth
in our building, as well as district-wide.
According to Fullan (2001), leaders provide the vision and are the context setters.
Furthermore, great leaders do not have to provide the leadership for every facet on an
organization. Leaders that involve other individuals within the organization in profound ways are
more likely to be successful. I think the best way to do this is to allow for staff members to take
on appropriate leadership roles within the organization. A great leader is able to empower staff
by developing their leadership, and using this to his/her advantage. Not only are the empowered
staff members going to have a greater sense of accomplishment, they will be more productive in
their other work areas.
As a school leader, I believe in constantly improving the school. I think that the best way
to make large-scale school improvements is to create urgency and buy-in by others involved.
Many times, people can become complacent with situations, particularly if things are going well.
Even though a school could be very successful, there is always room for that school to improve.
By creating a sense of urgency for a new improvement, I think that people are less likely to be
complacent with the status quo. I also think that buy-in from staff, as well as the outside
community, is vital for any sort of school improvement plan. One of the biggest ways a school
improvement plan can flop is when communication is lacking or buy-in does not exist. Talk to
people, build relationships, and build buy-in for the improvements. Without this, any leader will
be trumped, and the improvements will not occur. Even if the improvements are truly what is
best for the school, everyone must be on the same page or nothing constructive will happen.

Resources
Bartoletti, J., & Connelly, G. (2012). Leadership Matters: What the research says about the
importance of principal leadership. Retrieved June 26, 2014, from
http://www.naesp.org/sites/default/files/LeadershipMatters.pdf
Fullan, M. (2001). Leading in a culture of change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Wahlstrom, K., & Seashore-Lewis, K. (2008). How Teachers Experience Principal Leadership:
The Roles of Professional Community, Trust, Efficacy, and Shared
Responsibility. Educational Administration Quarterly, 44, 458-495. Retrieved June 26,
2014, from
http://www.palmbeachschools.org/dre/documents/tea_principal_role_2008.pdf