Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you are right." As educators we must believe we can, as we instill the belief, you can, in the lives we touch. Creating independent, fearless, and courageous learners requires interdependency between administrators, teachers, students, and parents. We must be willing to explore, establish and implement collaborative strategies that effectively provide an inclusive educational environment.

Educators must provide rich educational experiences that benefit all students not just some. We must be willing to adapt and accommodate our own leading and teaching styles to allow all students to succeed. After all, not all students are the same! Administrators, teachers, students, and parents, who embrace that axiom, recognize that leading students towards independent, fearless, and courageous learning may not always take them down the same old path.

There is no better reward then to realize you’ve empowered someone to excel! Serving as an instructional leader is a wonderful and rewarding opportunity to inspire. I will guide teachers as they provide rich learning experiences that stimulate thinking in meaningful ways for diverse learners. Teaching and learning become powerful when they are meaningful, integrative, values-based, challenging, and active. I have always believed that once I transformed my students into independent, fearless, and courageous learners a remarkable metamorphosis takes place. Students begin to look for and expect a higher order thinking experience.

I believe educators must also be lifelong independent, fearless, and courageous learners as well. I often seek professional development opportunities to further develop my teaching repertoire. As an instructional leader, it is my responsibility to search for opportunities that provide experiences for others that guide them towards that wonderful transformation. Whether using my own past life experiences or an exciting new resource, seeking opportunities to enhance learning must always be a priority.

I am committed, to successfully use my skills as an instructional leader, to motivate teachers as they guide students on the path towards becoming productive citizens in our global society. My personal drive for excellence will enable my students and colleagues to benefit from my commitment, experience, and expertise. I believe, as educators, we have the wonderful opportunity to touch the future while recreating the past for our students. The more independent, fearless, and courageous learners we educators create, the brighter our future will be.