My experience in the USA. \" Leadership in Education\".
American Councils. TCLP program 2010. Mohamed Elnaggar. Provo High School.
Leadership in Education
It is my belief that leadership in education is essential. A teacher cannot stand before a class and expect the class to learn without a background as a leader. In order to touch the life of any student, leadership is a necessary quality. Hence, I practice and apply participative leadership and mutual responsibilities in all aspects of my life.
I practice participative leadership in my social life and my profession as an educator. I believe “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him. But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, "We did it ourselves.” Lao Tzu.
I adopt participative leadership for many reasons. Firstly, Lewin’s (1) study found that democratic leadership is generally the most effective leadership style. Secondly, democratic leaders offer guidance to group members. They participate in the group and allow input from other group members. Thirdly, Participative leaders encourage group members to participate, but retain the final say over the decision-making process. Fourthly, Group members feel engaged in the process and are more motivated and creative. Also, their contributions were of a much higher quality.
I believe in Project Based Learning (PBL) as it is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges. Students are inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying. Also, (PBL) provides complex tasks based on challenging questions or problems that involve the students' problem solving, decision making, investigative skills, critical thinking and reflection that include teacher facilitation, but not direction.
I don't go far if I say I have autonomous class, a one that self ruled by students. My students study, analyzes, synthesis, and infers. They give their opinion and comment freely on various topics. They are asked to share better changes and solutions for the global issues. Being positive to shoulder this vision is a way to acquire students pride, self-esteem and confidence. Also, the behavior of children and students varies in response to the different styles of leadership. “Leaders don't create followers, they create more leaders”. “Tom Peters”.
I found out that effective school leadership does not mean to simply encourage individuals to go off and do whatever they need, but rather establish clear parameters and priorities that enable individuals to work within established boundaries in creative and autonomous way. Besides, the teacher’s ability to inspire or motivate has to be rated highly by students and teachers. Only teachers gave credence to the characteristic of building school vision and culture.
I always do my best to create a generation of thinkers, innovative, leaders and self confident students. For example, for the first period, I and my students do the code of conduct in the classroom for both the teacher and the students. I write a list of “Dos” and “Don’ts” on the board to students to brain storm. After that, I put it into vote then we create the code of conduct to our class for the whole year. Nevertheless, I usually participate in extracurricular activities with my students. Sports can achieve balance between leadership and co-operation, selfishness and Altruism and individual action versus teamwork.
Furthermore, I train students to do free oral presentations on daily basis, some minutes where they have a message and try to convey it. The conveyance needs the skills of reasoning ideas, engaging the audience and being persuasive. Coming at the front and deliver some ideas means having the guts to confront, the abilities to lead and the wit to convincer. I believe students need some one to be there to listen to them so, I do my best to be there.
I apply strategic training model to achieve my goal to create leaders out of my students. As it is always said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. ‘Harvey MacKay’. So, I begin with needs assessment. Then, I value my students’ needs according to the situation and case analysis. I use some tools to collect data such as observation, open discussions, recorded data or questionnaires. After that I set my objectives according to needs analysis. Nevertheless, objectives have to be “SMART”; specific, measurable, attainable or and achievable, relevant and time framed or and transferable.
After that, I decide what materials I should use to achieve my objectives and meet my students’ needs. Materials have to be relevant to the target needs, engage in discovering, develop specific skills and strategies and provide intercultural focus for my students. Nevertheless, I resort to ongoing assessment to evaluate achieving my goals.
I apply Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation model. Kirkpatrick’s model essentially measures; firstly, reaction of student; what students thought and felt about their learning. Secondly, learning; the resulting increase in knowledge or capability. Thirdly, behavior; extent of behavior and capability improvement and implementation or and application. Fourthly, results; the effects on the class or school environment resulting from the students’ performance.
In conclusion, there is no denying the fact, that there is no single best way to lead and inspire in the field of education. Each educator, as well as schools, view leadership strategies differently, as certain situations, features and actions seem far more favorable than others at different levels and times. Yet, these were some of the effective leadership quality and skills I try to apply and implement with the right thought process, it can be successfully implemented at work, family and society and achieve fruitful results.
References:
(1) Lewin, K., LIippit, R. and White, R.K. (1939). Patterns of aggressive behavior in experimentally created social climates. Journal of Social Psychology, 10, 271-301
Daniel Goleman in his book Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence (2002).
http://leadershipineducation.com/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-leadership-styles-in-education.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/6-steps-to-decision-making-process.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project-based_learning
www.stfrancis.edu/assessment/Kirkpatrick_1.pdf -
The First semester feed back
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 Provo High School.
These are some ideas and thoughts to share about the first semester with TCLP and in my host school.
* What has TCLP done for you?
- The program gave me the chance to visit America. It was one of my dreams and goals in life.
- The pre-departure orientation in Cairo. The presenters prepared us to the program. We met some alumni who answered our questions.
- The orientation in Washington DC with the very warm welcome from all TCLP staff.
- Visiting the State Department and meeting the under secretary for educational affairs.
- The friendly relations with TCLP staff through e-mails and phone calls which make our stay here pleasant and comfortable.
- The weekly and monthly highlights which provide us with the latest news of the program and the exchange teachers.
- The fall workshop in Boston which gave us the chance to meet each other and meet TCLP staff. Also, it had orientation. We had the chance to reconsider and refresh.
- The video conference with the alumni when we exchange and share ideas and questions again.
- Last but never the least, the fund. We receive generous monthly stipend that makes us live comfortably. Also, the fund for professional development and the grant from the U.S. State Department to do a project with your host school.
• What are the best features of TCLP? How does it support you?
- The best feature is the TCLP staff members. They are so clever, well organized and so friendly. They support me a lot. They are always available anytime and all the time. They are always ready to give support and advice. They make me feel that I’m at home between my family. I remember, once, while I was chatting with my mother she told me she felt that my life and stay in America is better than my stay in Saudi Arabia.
- The second feature is that the program is well planned. I will apply well planning in my future life. Well planning makes me feel secure that everything will be fine and there is nothing to worry about as we are in good hands.
• How have you helped your school / district program?
- Curriculum development:
- I have developed curricula for IB I, IB II and IB III.
- I have recorded Arabic texts available in text pictures and audio on line.
= Outreach program: for the 1st semester:
- I have given 44 presentations on different topics to about one thousand two hundred and eighty viewers in different nine schools. Additionally, the PTA and District schools principals.
- I helped and supported the hosting of a Jordanian principal during her visit to Provo in one of the American Council’s programs.
= Professional development:
- I participate in all faculty, Arabic staff and department meetings.
- I participate in Trainings and seminars at BYU Arabic program.
- Arabic instruction for my co-teacher Miss. Bastian.
= Advertising:
- T- Shirts for students with Arabic calligraphy.
- Meeting the Egyptian Ambassador to USA twice.
- I was in the news on KSL TV channel.
- Broadcasting announcements to the whole school saying Happy Christmas and Happy New Year in Arabic.
- Fliers, TCLP brochure and presentations at Dixon Middle School, the major feeder school.
= Arabic Club:
- Some projects with students such as, field trips, Arabic movies, Arabic music and Arabic songs.
* After you return, how will you continue working with your host school colleagues?
- I will give them my contacts and take theirs to keep in touch.
- I invited them to visit Egypt and contact me then to help them.
- I will arrange for contacts between my students in America and Egypt.
- I will present The DVD made by Provo High to my colleagues in Egypt to see the programs and subjects that are taught at my host school.
- I will give trainings and workshops on the SIOP model for secondary schools.
- One of my American students will visit Egypt. Also, he is the son of my host Family, I will host him and introduce him to my family and school community in Egypt. The host family is planning to visit Egypt and the Middle-East too.
- We will be in touch if they need any materials from Egypt, I will send them.
Thanks a lot. Best regards.
Faculty Meeting Speech
This is Mohammed's speech to the school faculty on Sept.,15
Faculty Meeting Tuesday, Sep., 15.
In the name of Allah the most gracious the most merciful. Mr. Sam Ray the school principle, Dear colleagues, allow me first to thank deeply Mr. Ray for offering me this opportunity to be with you today. My name is Mohammed El naggar. I’m From Egypt. I’m here to teach Arabic and culture in an exchange program with The department of state and the American council. The program is called “Teaching critical Language program”.
The goals of the program are:
1) To introduce and expand the teaching of critical foreign languages in American primary and secondary schools, thereby improving the language skills of young Americans and motivating increased study of these languages.
American students learn Chinese and Arabic and are motivated to learn them. There is near universal agreement that these languages will be critically important to know in the years to come.
2) To enable international teachers to learn first-hand about the culture and society of the United States, improve their English language proficiency, and to expand their knowledge of U.S. teaching methodologies.
Students in China, Jordan, and Egypt will have the opportunity to learn more about American culture and English language from their teachers when the international teachers return home; this effect expands as Chinese, Jordanian, and Egyptian teachers can share best practices and new methodologies with colleagues at their home schools, including through support of alumni grant opportunities.
3) To increase mutual understanding between U.S. school communities and visiting international teachers, and by extension, their home institutions and students.
Through the exchange between communities and Chinese, Jordanian, and Egyptian exchange teachers, each grows to understand and appreciate the other’s culture, especially as stories are shared throughout the communities.
4) To provide opportunities for U.S. and participant home country schools to develop lasting ties and to share educational best practices.
U.S. schools will have the potential to form partnerships with Chinese and Arabic schools and classrooms, expanding students’ horizons and promoting appreciation and understanding of international cultures.
The program here or teaching Arabic here in Provo High needs a lot of effort and support from every one .I’d like to tell you that I’m ready , available and able to do my best to make this program successful . I’m ready to give presentations about Arab world, ancient civilizations, modern and ancient Egypt, culture and also, the Arab Israeli conflict, Egyptian –American relations and the role of The USA in the Middle East. If you are interested just call me or let me know.
I’d like to give two small comments: The first is on the freedom assembly on Sept, 11th.
On behalf of all the Arabs I’d like to say that we all condemn and reject terrorism and killing innocent people. It is our culture we are peace loving peoples. We believe in peace. Peace leads to peace, love leads to love, but hatred leads to hatred, violence leads to more violence. An eye for an eye makes the whole world one eyed. We believe in tolerance and forgiveness. Jesus the Christ –peace be upon him- said, “Love your enemy”.
Disputes are never solved by wars and violence but through negotiations, mediation, arbitration and reconciliation.
Late Egyptian president Sadat said “When the bells of peace ring, there will be no hands to beat the drums of war. Even if they existed, they would be stilled.”
The second comment is on the 2009 Jordan School Administrator Hosting Exchange Program sponsored by the American council. I’d like to thank the school administration and the school principle for their interest and applying to host a Jordanian administrative at Prove high.
Finally, peace be upon us all. Thank you very much. Good by
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