Principal As Connected Leader

It's been an interesting journey, in PQP 1 and 2, exploring this idea of principal as connected leader and the importance of this part of the principal role.  I must be honest- though I have thought incessantly about the tremendous importance of being a good communicator, I had given little thought to how social media and the digital world might actually help with this.  Or, should I say, I had given little thought to how technology might be used beyond the obvious- the first level of the SAMR model.  Without a doubt, technology is an amazing substitute for organizing and communicating beyond using paper and pencil but there is so much more it can and should be used for.

When I think of setting direction as a school leader, the use of Google forms would be an excellent tool for gathering input and feedback from the various stakeholders involved in the school and greater community.  Social media, such as Twitter, also provides an excellent platform for sharing the work and priorities of the school.  It is a great way for communicating upcoming events and the awesome happenings that support the vision and direction of a school.  It can also support developing people.  Supporting staff and community by sharing their amazing efforts and contributions can do so much for the morale and culture of a school.

I hadn't thought much about blogging as a principal but why not?  What an awesome way to show a willingness to take risks and try new things.  Sharing your learning shows you are in a co-learning stance and your openness to showing vulnerabilities.  Blogs provide an amazing opportunity for sharing trials, tribulations and celebrations.  They are excellent for demonstrating the role of a reflective practitioner.  They also allow for a place to share and connect those who follow you to other educators and experts in the field because you can capture your favourites on there.

Technology definitely supports securing accountability.  There are so many means to capture evidence of student learning and educator actions using technology.  Compiling evidence is one thing and then using it in a number of meaningful ways is another.  The digital world helps with sorting, analyzing and making sense of the data you capture and how it may support improvement planning in so many domains.

The connected leader is one who values the importance, in this day and age, of connecting with other educators to make learning better for our students.  Innovation is about making learning better- not change for the sake of change but change that serves our learners better.  The changes in our world demand that, as educators, we are seeking ways to do this.  It's our moral imperative.  The connected leader can't help but improve experiences for our learners and the greater community just by being connected.