This document discusses the author's motivations and experiences as a teacher leader. The author's motivations include a desire to help students succeed and form personal relationships. Their informal experiences include roles as an instructional assistant and substitute teacher. Formally, they organized a health fair workshop and helped improve an in-school suspension program. The author identifies characteristics of effective teacher leaders they possess like commitment and respect, and ones to develop like self-confidence. Challenges to becoming a teacher leader include overcoming shyness, standing up for beliefs when others disagree, and getting more involved in organizations.

1. Personal Leadership
Reflection Presentation
EDL/500 Version 4
Personal Leadership
Kathleen McGovern
October 14, 2013
Jonna Ledyard

2. Motivations to be a Teacher Leader
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A desire to work with students
The want to make a difference
Teaching is my “calling”
Bring in new ideas for student success
The “Ah ha” moments
Personal relationships with students, staff, and
parents
That teacher that changes a student’s outlook on life
Provide resources for parents and students

3. Informal Experiences as a Teacher Leader
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Being an instructional assistant for many years,
although we take the initiative and address
problems, there is no official authority without
going through either a teacher or administrator.
Their value comes from experience and practice.
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Subbing for a school district, although you play
the teacher’s role the lesson plans are already done
for you and there is no official authority like
regular classroom teachers. Here again any issues
must be addressed through higher authority.

4. Formal Experiences as a Teacher Leader
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In my undergraduate classes I was involved in a
Health Fair, where we presented a workshop on
ways to make healthy snacks. It was a rotation
style presentation and we taught children how to
make them and explaining the importance of
healthy eating.
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I recently was involved in a In School Suspension
meeting helping to change the program for the
betterment of the students. Our goal is to keep
students in the classroom rather than spending
days in ISS, missing out during their learning time
in class.

5. My Effective Teacher Leader
Characteristics
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Commitment
Strong work ethic
Fair to all
Flexibility
Respect for myself/others
Calm
Patience

6. Effective Teacher Leader Characteristic
I want to develop
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Self-confidence is an important
characteristic to have in order to take
initiative and not be afraid to stand up to
people. I want to be more of a leader than a
follower, while both are important I am
lacking in this area. Do not want to worry
so much about what people think of me, I
want to do what I believe is right and be
proud of myself.

7. Challenges in Becoming a
Teacher Leader
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Challenges I see for myself is my shyness,
which sometimes holds me back from
saying really how I feel.
Standing up for what I believe in when
others do not agree and standing my
ground.
Be more involved with organizations
through work and outside of work.