The ISLLC Standards address educational leadership from a global perspective, showing how ethical principles interface with the practical realities of fiscal planning and community engagement. This case study highlights the importance of all six of the ISLLC standards, as it takes into account microcosmic elements as well as the “larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context” affecting East Ruxton (ISLLC Standards, n.d., p. 1).
1. If I were Valerie Rizzo, I would balance the need for strategic change management while also establishing effective human relations with the building staff. The new staff members are correct: visionary change is both necessary and possible. Even with the existing budgetary constraints, it is possible to engender the type of organizational culture in the school that will promote academic excellence. ISLLC Standard 6 refers to the specific and broad knowledge educational administrators have regarding “models and strategies of change and conflict resolution as applied to the larger political, social, cultural and economic contexts of schooling,” (ISLLC Standards, n.d., p. 1).
As an administrator, I would also stress bilateral communications as the key to our success as a middle school. By establishing frequent staff meetings, encouraging feedback, and setting up social media and...
We also need to create a collaborative environment within which to achieve our mutually defined goals.
2. To approach the issues with administrative peers throughout the district, I would emphasize performance standard six of the ISLLC: ““Communication occurs among the school community concerning trends, issues, and potential changes in the environment in which schools operate,” (ISLLC Standards, n.d., p. 1). Our challenges are collective, and working together, schools throughout the district can pool our human and financial resources to promote effective change and raise educational standards and outcomes. I would advocate on behalf of all community members, and hold meetings involving both the public and the private sector.
3. The model of human needs and leadership I would use to guide me in my new role as principal would be a return to basics with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow’s hierarchy shows how all individuals respond best to fulfilling higher-order needs like self-fulfillment and connectivity when their lower-order needs have been properly attended to. Moreover, the Maslow needs hierarchy reminds us to keep our eyes set on the ultimate goals of improving district-wide performance…
