6. Communication
a. Formulate and carry out plans for internal and external communications
b. Demonstrate facilitation skills
c. Recognize and apply understanding of group and individual behavior in normal and stressful situations
d. Facilitate teamwork
e. Demonstrate an understanding of conflict resolution and problem solving skills
f. Make presentations that are clear and easy to understand
g. Respond, review, and summarize information for groups
h. Communicate appropriately, speak, listen and write for different audiences
i. Understand and utilize appropriate communication technology
Reflection
A successful leader, in any situation, must be able to effectively communicate. Communication involves being able to speak, listen and write. Being clear and articulate while speaking and writing are critical, but being an active listener is just as important. What you hear is just as important as what you say, and an effective school leader will listen to all stakeholders and act upon it when necessary.
You have not communicated anything unless you have been heard by your audience. This is an important rule of thumb for leaders to remember. A school leader will have various audiences, such as parents, students, teachers, staff members, school board members, community members, the media, and other stakeholders in education. With that, they must be able to appropriately communicate with various parties at anytime.
We communicate in our daily lives in so many different ways; however, I was able to show that I can effectively communicate as a school leader. I had the opportunity to communicate with staff members on various occasions. In the role as a Professional Learning Community facilitator, I often facilitated and communicated with the staff members at Eagle Ridge Junior High. Being able to answer questions, facilitate conversations, summarize information, relay details of expectations through emails and in person is a skill that I was able to work on as seen in my artifact.
In addition, through my field experience as a summer school coordinator, I was able to communicate with teachers about the expectations and reminders of making summer session run smoothly and effectively. I was able to articulate the necessary information as well as answer questions that teachers may have had by sending updates to them through weekly letters. One weekly letter is attached as an artifact. It is important to be able to clearly articulate information when writing because there is always room for interpretation with written words. As leaders, we need to ensure that we are clearly communicating, leaving little room for interpretations to get away from us.
I believe that the skill of communication will make a difference on the success of a school leader, as it can deeply hinder the ability to lead if you are unable to effectively write, speak and listen. Communication is a skill that I have worked on throughout my schooling. As a Family and Consumer Science teacher, I have the opportunity to teach to students at various ages and stages of schooling the basics of communication in Life Skills courses. With that, I look forward to being able to put my communication skills into practice when I become a school leader.
Artifacts
Staff Letter