Why I'm Doing This
Zane Shelfer
When I think about what I'm passionate about in education and contemplating educational leadership, I think about the work I've done for 19 years. I've been employed by the Department of Juvenile Justice School System as a teacher, school counselor, Director of Student Support, and now Assistant Superintendent during those 19 years. It has been and continues to be an incredibly rewarding career. Working with marginalized youth in those different capacities has taken the fulfillment and responsibility that we all feel educating children to another level of advocating and supporting students who for various reasons have become involved in the juvenile justice system and don’t have a voice.
When I was summarizing and interviewing for the assignment of GELS Standard 3 about recruitment and development of teachers and staff becoming leaders, I thought about my own experience. After working for 14 years in a detention center, I was recognized as having leadership potential by an Associate Superintendent. She approached me about taking the next step and moving up to our central office. While I had considered advancement before, I had never actively taken the opportunity. That encouragement and the move I made created a desire to gain knowledge as an education leader and take the skills I had used in a single school location and use them to affect policy and procedure state-wide.
When I think about why I’m doing this certificate add-on, why I work in a state-wide school system, and why I have the career I have, it all comes back to the students. I haven’t taken a class in over 15 years and I had never taken an online class until the Law, Policy and Governance course in May. I want to be the most effective leader I can be and while some of that comes down to personality, innate leadership ability, and circumstance, I was lacking the formal instruction. I wanted that instruction and guidance to help me be an effective leader.
I will continue to think about GELS Standard 3 and always be aware of seeing the leadership potential in others. I want to be able to provide a nurturing environment so that employees working under my supervision have the opportunity to grow and exhibit their own leadership qualities. I want to recognize and promote others and give them an opportunity to transition into leaders just like someone did for me.
When I think about what I'm passionate about in education and contemplating educational leadership, I think about the work I've done for 19 years. I've been employed by the Department of Juvenile Justice School System as a teacher, school counselor, Director of Student Support, and now Assistant Superintendent during those 19 years. It has been and continues to be an incredibly rewarding career. Working with marginalized youth in those different capacities has taken the fulfillment and responsibility that we all feel educating children to another level of advocating and supporting students who for various reasons have become involved in the juvenile justice system and don’t have a voice.
When I was summarizing and interviewing for the assignment of GELS Standard 3 about recruitment and development of teachers and staff becoming leaders, I thought about my own experience. After working for 14 years in a detention center, I was recognized as having leadership potential by an Associate Superintendent. She approached me about taking the next step and moving up to our central office. While I had considered advancement before, I had never actively taken the opportunity. That encouragement and the move I made created a desire to gain knowledge as an education leader and take the skills I had used in a single school location and use them to affect policy and procedure state-wide.
When I think about why I’m doing this certificate add-on, why I work in a state-wide school system, and why I have the career I have, it all comes back to the students. I haven’t taken a class in over 15 years and I had never taken an online class until the Law, Policy and Governance course in May. I want to be the most effective leader I can be and while some of that comes down to personality, innate leadership ability, and circumstance, I was lacking the formal instruction. I wanted that instruction and guidance to help me be an effective leader.
I will continue to think about GELS Standard 3 and always be aware of seeing the leadership potential in others. I want to be able to provide a nurturing environment so that employees working under my supervision have the opportunity to grow and exhibit their own leadership qualities. I want to recognize and promote others and give them an opportunity to transition into leaders just like someone did for me.
Thanks for sharing. Good leaders do help mentor and support future leaders! You are fortunate to have the support of an associate superintendent.
ReplyDeleteDr. Sauers
I agree. She started me on the path I'm on now. I want to do the same for potential leaders in our school system. Sometimes they just need extra encouragement.
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