Teach Middle East Magazine Nov-Dec 2017 Issue 2 Volume 5 | Page 40

Inside the Staffroom 7 WAYS TO DEVELOP AND EMPOWER TEACHER LEADERS BY CHASSIE SELOUANE and strive to share best practices. If a resource or strategy is working well with your students empower others by sharing what you are doing in your class. L eadership is a buzz word in the education world. Researchers like Fullan (2012), Whittaker (2012), Bell and Smith (2010), have concluded that high performing schools thrive when led by an effective leader and a focus in placed on building leadership capacity is the stakeholders. Dr Stephen Covey defined leadership as “The Ability of communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves”. As an Educator, how do we Foster this development of potential and worth, in ourselves all while inspiring others to see these things in themselves? Covey suggests that the secret to success lies in his 7 habits. Here are 7 ways to Empower Yourself and Others through the 7 Habits. 1. Habit 1: Be Proactive: Having a Positive mindset has been a reoccurring theme in this author’s articles for years. Attitude is Contagious has also been a reoccurring phrase and with Habit 1, these words ring true. Remember that you can only control your behavior and actions. and long-term goals for ourselves and our classes. Share these goals with your colleagues and students, because accountability and responsibility begins with You. 3. Habit 3: Put first things first: All Teachers rely on lesson plans, but most teachers’ greatest complaint is having enough time to complete them, along with their other duties. Perhaps learning how to efficiently plan our time for each day, each week and each school year is one of the most difficult, tasks. Creating a schedule for ourselves that include much needed breaks, as well as work time is an empowering way to take control of our time, and Put First Things First. 4. Habit 4: Think win-win: We expect students to learn how to work with one another using 21st century skills and find ways to get along in a non- competitive way for the greater good of the team. As teachers, we need to reach out to our colleagues 2. Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind: As Teachers we should anticipate the end, and model best practice by creating both short- 38 | Nov - Dec 2017 | | Class Time 5. Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood: Empower others by attempting to understand their paradigms and how they see the world. Try to make a staff room buddy with the stipulation that you take turns once a week to meet for 10 minutes twice a week. The first 5 minutes are for your partner to talk, the second are for you. No responses, just listening. Often, we listen to respond. We should strive to learn how to listen with empathy prior to advancing our own arguments. 6. Habit 6: Synergize: How many times as a teacher have you told your students that working together can create a better result than working alone; yet, teachers often sit with their ear phones in their ear. Partner up with a teacher that teaches the same year group as you and find out what he or she is teaching the upcoming week. 7. Habit 7: Sharpen the saw: Teachers must learn how to create balance in their lives. Focusing on improving yourselves physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally can be very empowering. You have to take time for you and your health. Everything is better when in balance, so go ahead and book that long weekend holiday at the spa, or that deep sea fishing trip that you’ve been wanting to book. You work hard and one of the most empowering things is taking care of yourself. (Covey,2017). Chassie Selouane has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Education, a Master’s of Education Degree- Curriculum Instruction with a Specialization in ESL Education, a PMC in ESL Education, a PMC in Instructional Leadership & is a dual candidate for a PHD in ESL and PHD in Instructional Leadership. Chassie is an Edmodo Ambassador & Certified Edmodo Trainer. She serves as the GCC ASCD UAE Ambassador. Chassie is the founding Director of Learning at Rising School Dubai.