Professionalism and Leadership
Professionalism and leadership are two things that are hard to "grade." We can easily look at people and say, "He is a leader. She is a very professional, hard worker." But, on paper it is hard to pin point what makes those things happen. Professionalism may be much easier to achieve, because it seems that society and ethical documents have set guidelines to what makes one professional. During my experience, I believe my professionalism has grown. I've learned more about how to conduct meetings, discussions, and events in certain settings. Administrators within my schools have given me the ability to do such things.
Selfishly, I mainly want to focus on leadership. I can talk about it for days, but don't worry. I'll try not to do so. As an English teacher, people are constantly asking me (mainly parents to "test" me) what I'm reading. Also, during my MTC experience, I had the honor of taking a class under Dr. Andy Mullins were we read certain texts. Don't get me wrong, those weren't normal books that I would purchase and peruse on my own. Yet, I'm glad I did. Due to my desire to read, learn, and become a better reader, I read those books and more. Yet, I don't believe my leadership journey started in MTC. Most people do not know that my background is very similar to the poorest of students that most teachers in Mississippi teach. I grew up with very limited educational conversation happening within a broken home and money being called an evil due to the lack of it within the home. I like to think that I have, what I believe is the most necessary part of leadership, GRIT.
Reading the different books, and many more, throughout the year painted different pictures of leadership. Some leadership styles were full of humility. Some were full of confidence. Some faith and some luck. Either way it goes, each book in its own way, painted a picture of leadership. I believe that's what MTC and teaching does to each of us. We start out with leadership qualities that are hidden. The program starts by examining if you have grit or at least some hard work within your veins - we call it summer school. Then, you get to work. That's where they see if you have enough brains in your head to talk the talk while trying to walk the walk. The skills keep building. But, I truly believe that not everyone has grit. I don't know if it can be taught. Maybe it can.
At the end of the day, I think this program has given me more grit than I ever had before and all of the teachers, fighting against this emotion of burn out, have genuine grit. |