Blog Post #1 - First Face to Face Meeting

I really enjoyed our first face to face class session for EAD 269. As many have mentioned, it was great to finally see the faces of many individuals that we have been interacting with on Blackboard up until this point. I feel like this course is going to be flexible and tailored to our needs as we get ready to exit the program. I liked how Dr. Buster presented the purpose of the class and allowed us to give input on what else we may want to learn.  I am also excited that this course is being taught by 3 professors – Dr. Buster, Dr., Wise, and Dr. Darrow. I think we will learn a great deal from their collective knowledge and experiences as educators who served in different capacities.

One thing that stood out to me during our first session was the Drive video. I learned more about what truly motivates people. Personally, I’ve always known that intrinsic rewards work better for me instead of extrinsic rewards (money). An example of this was when I was in high school. As I worked towards my goal of being a valedictorian of my graduating class, I found out that my best friend was paid $50 for every semester that she earned a 4.0. I tried asking my family for the same kind of compensation. They responded with, “We’re not going to pay you to get good grades because we know that if we didn’t, you would not fail.” This was absolutely true. Although I preferred a little extra cash as a teenager, I realized that I was intrinsically motivated to be the best I could be and that money was not going to change that. The video revealed three benefits that people prefer over money: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. I believe that these 3 things are indispensable and fulfilling. Money is temporary, contribution is not. I think that many individuals value being self-directed, making a contribution, and maximizing our purpose.  The information learned in the video is important to know as a leader because as Dr. Buster mentioned, “We need new motivation strategies in this era.” We need to develop new ways of motivating both adults and children so that we can maximize learning and make positive changes in people’s lives.

The final thing I would like to add is that I love quotes! Both Dr. Buster and Dr. Darrow mentioned ideas during this session that I will remember and refer to in my journey of becoming a school leader. Dr Buster stated, “Don’t confuse your title with being a leader.” This is important because I feel that someone can be a leader in any position. Some people focus more on their title rather than their role within a larger organization. I feel that being a leader requires the willingness to serve others – students, parents, teachers, and the larger community. If one becomes fixated on their “title” they may lose sight of their purpose. Dr. Darrow mentioned that, “Leadership is public. You can’t work by yourself.” I need to remember to share my leadership responsibilities and build a collective group of people with the same vision and focus. The job of a school leader is too big to do alone!