Power & Control: The Beauty of Power Dynamics!

Power and Control. That's all life is really about you know. From the struggle at the sand pit in kindergarten to high-tech world of corporate America. Life is all about power and control. Every school environment is going to have a power dynamic. At my old school site, the power dynamic was coercive and reward in nature. The old principal he would "bully" teachers who did not follow the school's company line: "Do what you're supposed to do and don't rock the boat." Teachers that "reported" the happenings of other teachers back to him were "rewarded" by being safe within the school system. The teacher leadership almost serves as if they are afraid of losing their leadership position. Because of this mentality, there exists a faculty who is mistrusting of administration and therefore there are several veteran teachers who lead through implicit power. This past summer over 10 teachers have resigned their post at the school because of this power dynamic.

The ideal power dynamic is of course one where teacher leadership leads through reverent power. Where the faculty and staff follow teacher leadership because of the character of the teacher leaders that are in place. Assignments should be done based on the strength-based leadership model. Teachers are placed in positions based on what their strengths are not if they are able to give the leadership good intel on other teachers.

My pastor is a leader who leads through reverent power. She is the definition of a true leader. Her motive is not coerce or bribe her "staff," but her motive to elevate and strengthen her staff. As I start at my new school system on today, my desire is that the teacher leadership in place leads in this manner.

Here's hoping!

Strength-Based Leadership Practice

The beauty of strength-based leadership is that all employees have one set purpose: They are geared to make the community better by placing people in the right areas based on their strengths; not based on popularity. Research has shown that companies that work based on strength-based, achieve greater success than those who do not. Studies also show that corporations that use strength-based typically


In a community of practice like a church or a school, a strength-based leadership approach could do so much to improve the condition of the school and the quality of instruction. When you have a leader who leads to elevate, you already have a community that thrives and grows. By adding strength-based practices to the mix, it's almost as if you are adding extra growth fertilizer to an already thriving crop.

When I think of strength-based leadership, I reflect back on a film I just watched called Moneyball. It is starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill. Brad Pitt decided not to play the politics of baseball of paying top dollar for athletes. He decided instead to find the players that would the best for the job and choose to pay them what they are worth. This is how I envision strength-based leadership.

When you have a team in place that knows that their position is in place because of who they are and what they bring to the table, you have a happier team; a successful team. In a school system community, if I teach a subject because that is my strength, I am more willing and committed to make sure the school is successful. I am also more willing to help train up new teacher or even veteran teachers so that they can become more proficient as well.

I'm amazed that this system of leadership exists and I'm even more amazed that this system of leadership is not more utilized in school systems. What I am considering now is how can I utilize this system within the learning teams I have in place within my classroom?

Any thoughts?

♪ 3 ♪ EDL:500 Personal Leadership Goals

Currently I am a student at University of Phoenix. I  ♥  online learning. I love the flexibility that online learning (also known as 'distance learning') allows you. For example, right now I am actually completing an assignment and it's 2:26AM. 

The end of next year, I will have my M.Ed in Teacher Leadership. My current class that I am taking is EDL-500: Personal Leadership. This blog post is ACTUALLY an assignment that I have to complete for my class. The purpose of this class is to see and develop your own personal leadership. 

The primary goal I hope to achieve out of this class is reassessing how I define leadership in the education setting. If I am going to one day be a future teacher leader, then I need to change my current attitude of how I see teacher leaders from my previous school. 

I also want to go deeper into what self-leadership or personal leadership truly is. I am very intrigued about the concept of you leading yourself. Typically when you talk about leadership you are talking about one person who is a subordinate to manager. 

Typically, I am the type of student and teacher that will create in the background. I don't like to be thrust to the front unless I am the one doing the thrusting. However, what I truly hope to gain from this course is the ability to recognize, accept, and enjoy the leadership opportunities that will come along my way as I continue through this program. 

Until Next Time Curlfriends and GeekHomies, 

NattyGeek78

♫ 2 ♫ My Digital Resume

Wsup Curlgirls and GeekyGuys!

What's the best way to allow potential employers to really SEE what you as a potential employee can bring to the table: - A VIDEO RESUME! 

A short time ago, I decided to update my resume. I had not took the time to update my resume since 2008. 

NOTE: Your resume should be updated very 30-60 days. You should constantly be adding a new accomplishment to your skills, strengths, and job experiences. 

Needless to say, I had a LOT of information to put onto one page. After the deed was finished, I looked over my resume and realized that with all of the 21st Century tools that I utilize in my classroom, I needed to come up with a way to allow employers to see just what it is I do in my classroom.

The resume that you send out to countless employers is just words on paper. Since over 70% of Americans are both visual and auditory learners, they need a platform where they can be introduced to what you can do, not just what they imagine you can do. 

Researchers say that in the next 5-7 years employers will begin requriing some form of a Digital Resume! 

requiring.

♪ 1 ♪ My Natural Hair Journey - Part 1

Age 1

Nicole vs. Her Hair – No way I could make this stuff up!

6 months old

Remember the movie “It’s A Thin Line Between Love and Hate?” Some of you old school fans might remember the song recorded by the Persuaders and re-made by the 90s sex group H-Town. Up until about a year ago, that was sole track for the battle entitled: Nicole vs. her Hair. L 

Needless to say growing up as a YOUNG BABY, I ‘black baby girl curls.’ My hair was doing exactly what it was supposed to do: My hair was growing – well on its way be as long as that chick from Enter the Dragon!

Jkwon^*, HawkGate, and SoulGlo/FollowtheDrip

"Hey! Let's play Barbershop!"

Jkwon always come to see us during the Christmas, Easter, and summer breaks. It was during one of these breaks that Jkwon and I became bored. The story goes that we were watching music videos and a group came on & they had Mohawks. I told my older brother that I wanted a Mohawk.

Night of Hawk-Gate!

1 hour later my brother gave me a Mohawk, razoring away the sides of my hair.

After the ‘HawkGate,’ I had the typical black woman’s hair upbringing but with my own additions. You know what I’m talking about Saturday shampoo in the kitchen sink (Mane & Tail – gotta get those sides to grow!), the sitting on the kitchen floor until your butt as your mom greases your scalp and ends until they’re glistening and then takes the hot comb to get those hair straight and then takes the curlers to make it curly again. (A SENTENCE FRAGMENT & A OXYMORON!) Slowly the sides and edges began to grow, but they were verrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy slow.

Letting my Soul-Glo!

My mother and my stylist Ms. Dee Dee (RIP), tried everything to get my hair to grow. From hair placenta, urine, and even electric shock! Finally by the time 5^th grade came around, my hair was healthy and growing and the sides were slowly coming along and then mother decided it was time for me to meet Jheri. Curl that its. 

Jheri and I remained friends through the end of 6^th grade. Then House Party came out….

I did survive the taunting and the teasing and came out of high school, college, and into adult woman hood unscathed. My hair had seen good days and bad days. From braids to wigs to weaves to wraps and my hair grew everywhere but on the sides. On top of that, after dying my hair cinnamon, it was thoroughly dried and was literally come out in chunks. I actually had PATCHES in my hair.  

Finally my stylist Marjorie decided it was time to compromise with my sides and go short!

TO BE CONTINUED.......