This is a response to Stella Peters blog “If Only I Had the Chance”

If Only I Had the Chance… (Post 4.1)

Thank you, Stella, for this walkthrough of what you would change and what you can change in your school. This dream and this vision you have for your school I which and hope my teachers can have for our school as well. As Lepsinger (2010) says, “vision helps drive execution” (p. 36).

I worked as a teacher for many years, and now I am an administrator. It has been very eye-opening to see things from another perspective. I have to confess that as a teacher I did criticize many decisions the principal made. Now, I wonder what my teachers say.

You mention that pay could improve, especially for teachers that have been around ten years or more. I have addressed salaries with our board, and I also wonder if we could not do better. In reality, we are part of a Church association that owns several other schools, and there is this thinking that mission schools do not necessarily need to pay as much as other private schools. It is similar to what happens at church occasionally. We give to church when there is an excess of time, money, clothing, etc. I am learning to give my best, my career, my life, to serve the Kingdom. I also used to think that way and sometimes still do.

What a reality check. Does our school make a difference in our community? Are we faithful to our mission? For three years we have been gone out into the neighborhood and picked up trash. Paraguay is not a clean country. People throw trash everywhere. We also offer adult trade classes to parents and the city, and we have started volunteering with our students in other schools that are less fortunate. We want to make a difference; we do not want to be irrelevant. God calls us to be salt and light. We cannot be lukewarm. As an institution, we seek to influence the community. Hughes, Colarelli-Beatty and Dinwood (2014) speak of strategic influence, and although they speak more on a personal level, I think the institution also tries to connect, mobilize, weave, and transform the community (pp. 178-179).

Since I started my masters, I have tried to own Spears (2010) 10 characteristics of a servant leader. I am teaching these to a group of students, to my staff, and my leadership team. As you say, “ it’s my turn.” What can I do influence and make a difference?

Thank you for what you are doing at your school. You are and will be a blessing to the school, to the administration, and your friends. And by the way, you do have the chance.

 

Reference

Hughes R., Colarelli-Beatty K. & Dinwoodie D. (2014) Becoming a strategic leader. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Second Edition.

Lepsinger, R. (2010). Closing the execution gap. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Spears, L. C. (2010). Character and servant leadership: Ten characteristics of effective, caring leaders. The Journal of Virtues & Leadership, 1(1), 25-30.