LQS Reflections on Competencies - Year One When I started on my leadership journey one of the hardest parts was leaving the comfort of long-term staff and moving to new positions that would allow me to grow, learn, and stretch as a leader. I soon realized I needed to get comfortable with was being uncomfortable. “The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers” (Peck, 2014, p.32). The entire first year of my administration has been this form of discomfort. Examining my strengths and weaknesses with the LQS, I am left reflecting on these questions. What areas seemed to come more naturally, what areas did I struggle in, what caused me to stretch, and what new approaches do I need to use next year? Fostering Effective Relationships; Competency 1 seems to be the competency where I feel I have the strongest skill set. I naturally seek out face to face conversations and value the investment in relationships with the staff. Firm, Fair, and friendly has been my approach in my leadership this year. My door was always open, and I have worked diligently this year to be cognizant that unless something I was doing was urgent, I needed to stop what I was doing and listen. I noticed as the year progressed that more staff would walk to my space to chat. This was a marker of growth and success to me, as I felt that trust and strong communication with the staff at my school was emerging within my leadership. Supporting the Application of Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Metis, and Inuit; competency 5, has great potential for growth within myself as a leader. I realize fostering strong relationships with students, staff, and parents within my Indigenous community will create success for my students. My participation in various workshops and working alongside the district Indigenous leaders has given me more confidence this year. In the past, I have felt uncomfortable, unqualified, and worried that I would simply offend with my efforts in this area. My thoughts were always retreating to the idea that if I did nothing, I would not offend anyone, and this would be the safest practice. However, last year Elder Kirby Birds' words changed my perspective, “when it comes to culture, you’re never going to be right, but you’re never going to be wrong. You’re never going to be right if you are not open to other perspectives and you’re never going to be wrong if you act with an open heart” (Elder Kirby Bird, 2019). My perspective and practice as a leader have changed and I am ready to grow and stretch in this area. Understanding and Responding to the Larger Societal Context; competency 9 is one I feel is a bit daunting. Currently my Principal guides the school with a vision for the staff, student, and parent community. I. observe the delicate balance and the navigation between best practices for the school community and implementing school authorities’ initiatives and visions. I ask myself often if I would have a clarity of vision, and the skill set to safeguard school community culture while still implementing the district mission and vision? It is this uncertainty that requires me to seek growth in this area.
Year Three Competency 9- I feel that past three years, connecting and understanding the community and context of my school has become very strong. At first, it took some stretching, moving in areas of discomfort, doing things in ways that were new. Now I feel I am deeply woven into fabric of this school. I hold their stories, I know their why. I am in amazement at times, that I know this community so well, because in year one.. it seemed daunting. I understand the needs and the importance of community involvement to keep the school in a good spot and my role as a leader to continue the positive path Westminster is on.
NOW... ask me if I am ready to take on the larger societal context???? What keeps me up at night, is simply can I navigate as the leader of the school, staff, students, and community through the next years where freedom, choice, government support for education, union dismantling, exhausted teachers, ATA contract negotiation, and a new controversial curriculum are at the forefront of education.
Competency 1- It is still a strength for me as I feel I have fostered and created strong relationships with the EAs. I have a great team, we can collaborate, work through problems and they know I will support them. With teachers, the relationship is developing, it is not as strong, but I also do not have the same role with them as I do with the EAs.
Competency 8- This one is an area of growth, simply because it is not in my duties. I am sure if I did more of these roles and duties it would be less daunting. Really, this is an area that will grow when I have an opportunity to do it. What I have learned in the past three years in the area that I am applying is referring to policies, procedures and the Alberta School Handbook. Ask lots of questions!!! that has been a key in this area.