Developing Educational Leaders for Catholic Schools Alice Hession Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools

Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?‘, said Alice. `That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat. `I don't much care where--' said Alice. `Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat. `--so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation. `Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, `if you only walk long enough.'

Attributes of effective leaders Professional competence Conceptual skills Results-oriented Emotional Intelligence An ability to identify talent Judgment Character ( The Leadership Advantage, Warren Bennis )

Catholic Schools Spiritual Leadership Personal spirituality Ability to model spirituality for others Spiritual awareness Ability to live in and instill hope

“People rise to leadership in our society by a tendency toward extroversion, which means a tendency to ignore what is going on inside themselves….We must have education for leadership that is not simply about the skills to manipulate the external world, but is also about the personal and corporate disciplines of the inner world.” - Parker Palmer “Leading from Within”

Leadership Development Program Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools To broaden the view of the participant to the unique mission and style of Xaverian education and leadership in Catholic schools. To assist the participant in clarifying and developing his/her style of leadership. To call the participant to reflect on his/her call to leadership and stewardship of the mission of Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools. To provide options and opportunities for the participant to practice leadership skills.

Assumptions of the program Designed for potential leaders invited to participate Skilled Mentor/Partner Emphasis on all levels of school leadership Includes a Project/Practicum Required Readings Focus on Networking

Stage One – 3 days - Summer Call to Leadership – Reflective Xaverian spirituality Leadership Qualities and Styles Leadership in a Catholic school and in an XBSS School Elements of Team Building Leadership for Mission

Stage TwoPracticum/Reflection Year long effort with a mentor Leadership of a School Project Reading/Reflection Visit to another XBSS School

Stage Three 2 days Summer Personal Spirituality and Leadership Sharing on personal experience of leadership The Change Process in the School – Creating Culture

Comments by participants “In my opinion, I believe this program was created to ensure that XBSS will remain faithful to its original mission. As the Xaverian Brothers continue to decline in numbers, the XBSS will rely on the lay population to effectively lead the schools. The major themes of this program were XBSS mission, leadership qualities, leadership style, and the change process. I began this program as an eager, dedicated guidance counselor who wanted to make a positive contribution to the school that has already given me so much. I’m leaving this program as an experienced leader with a clearer vision, more confident attitude, and a passion for servant leadership.” “I learned that an educational leader is not just an administrator; rather, an educational leader is anyone who commits himself or herself to improving the school community.”

Comments by participants “I found it to be a good blend of experiences: we explored leadership as 1) a spiritual journey and transforming experience, whereby we are called to serve others, and 2) a set of skills and personal qualities that have been extensively researched & analyzed, and can consciously be developed and improved upon. I found myself reflecting a great deal about my current and future roles as a leader in a Xaverian school, I learned much that I had never been formally taught, though often had some intuition about, and I found myself enriched by the experience of working with others, dedicated individuals from our XBSS schools.”

Comments by participants “I really learned what it means to be a leader in a Catholic High School regardless of the position I hold in the school, the importance of creating a culture that allows growth for everyone in the school (Teachers, students, staff, parents), the importance of not settling for being a good school but it takes real leaders to make it a great school, and that to be a real leader in a Catholic school is to be a spiritual leader as well.” “I thought the project was central to the success of the program, a way to put our “faith in action”, so to speak. One leads by serving and serves by doing, not just talking and thinking. If not for the project, this program ran the risk of simply being reflective, informative, and genuinely pleasant weekends. I think all of the projects this year tangibly enriched the schools involved.”