About Me

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I have been an elementary and secondary school teacher and administrator. Currently, I am a faculty member in the Faculty of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. My M.Ed. and Ph.D. had a focus on the educational and linguistic experiences of children who moved from other countries to Canada.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Why do you lead the way you do? A theory of action in 100 words or less

Leadership fascinates me.

I suspect that part of this fascination is that I've experienced really good examples of leaders and a few that were not so good. I'm guessing that anyone reading this blog can relate to that!

What separates the really good leaders from the really bad leaders? Or, for that matter, what separates the really good leaders from those who are mediocre?

We talk a lot about the traits and skills that leaders have but I'm convinced that some of the examples of bad leaders I've seen share similar traits to those who have been really good leaders. For example, one leader who I really respect is very conscientious in seeking input into decisions. I've seen this same trait in another leader who genuinely sought input into decisions but who was not highly respected despite doing this.

What's the difference?

I suspect there are many reasons but one that has recently caught my attention has been the idea of how (or why) we lead change.

One's "theory of action" is the how and the why of their leadership. It is the deep values we hold when we engage in leading change.

Harvard University's Project Zero provides a nice tool to consider to help unpack one's theory of action. Click here to find out more. A short 3 minute video on theory of action, featuring Dr. Steven Katz, is available by clicking here.

There are three key aspects of my theory of action:

  1. There is a a deep belief in the importance of reciprocity. Any change that I want to lead must consider the ways in which the change will impact others.
  2. I value the wisdom of elders. Others have insights for me that will most likely lead to effective change and minimize the risk of failure ... if I'm ready to listen.
  3. Change leadership requires me to remain humble. Is this change about me or is this about my students, my organization, or other stakeholders?

It is from these foundational beliefs and values that I lead change.

Could you describe your theory of action in 100 words or less?

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Without education there will be no change

I've recently been working on materials as part of applications that we are making to foundations and government agencies to help fund the Educator and Leadership Institute in Haiti.

As part of these materials, we developed a new video that features two female teachers, one Canadian and one Haitian, as they reflect on the importance of education.

To watch the video, click here.

One comment struck me in the video: "Without education, there will be no change."

In many ways, education and health care are the foundation of economic development, government stability, social cohesion, and gender equity. I have little control over a country's health care system but I can have significant influence over the educational quality of a classroom, a school, or even a system of schools.

This is exactly what we are trying to influence in northern Haiti: better teachers = better schools = better outcomes for students = better outcomes for a country

A researcher I follow, Max Roser, recently made this statement and provided evidence through the following graph:

"Until the 1950s people in Japan, Korea, and Singapore were as poor as people in Haiti, the Congo, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan. Since then the first three economies achieved growth and the others did not."

When I look at the following graph, I think the fundamental reason that Japan, Korea, and Singapore have had such significant growth - while Haiti and others have not - is because of education.

Without education, there will be no change.