+ Dynita Padgett EDUC 534/SUMMER 2009 LEADERSHIP PROJECT

+ Leader

+ Connected, future-focused leader The job of a connected, future focused leader will be to develop capabilities, not necessarily to plan the organization’s strategic direction. Today's s connected leader is decisive, insightful and constantly challenging company conventions to keep ideas flowing. Leadership is not the work of a single person, rather it can be explained and defined as a "collaborative endeavor" among group members

+ My Interviewee Peggy Thompson, Instructional Technology Teacher on Special Assignment for Escambia County School District She is depended upon to prepare schools and districts to integrate technology as well as improve communication, teaching, and learning. Works with teachers in a collaborative environment where technology is viewed as a means of developing a community of learners. Constant, focused awareness of the advances and implications surrounding technology as well as the ability to place them in the context of her institution’s needs.

+ Highlights of the Interview What do you feel the definition of a leader is and do you feel it has changed over the last 5 years? My definition of a leader is someone who provides guidance to others. The person is thoughtful, willing to listen and open to suggestions. They make decisions that are fair in light of the whole picture and are supportive of others acting on those decisions. A leader models and practices personally those things they set as expectations for others. Over the last five years, my definition of a leader has probably not changed much. If anything, my experiences have reinforced the above qualities. Do you see yourself as a leader? How and why? For the past couple of months, I have been reading a new book entitled “ISTE’s Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards, What Every K-12 Leader Should Know and Be Able to Do.” One of the statements in the book says that if you work at the District level in support of technology, then you are a technology leader. For the past 9 years I have worked at the District level in a variety of capacities in support of teachers and students utilizing technology. I try to model for others best practices and to share whatever I am learning about technology. In light of the above definition, I do see myself as a leader. Can you describe your leadership style? My leadership style is mostly participative (democratic). I tend to try to share information and allow the participants to work within a framework. However, there are times when I must be authoritarian in order to follow the policies of the IT department or the District.

+ Technology What is your philosophy on technology in education and how do you feel you have impacted education in your current position? My philosophy on technology in education is that I believe it should be an integral part of what we do as students, teachers and administrations. We should strive to use the best resources (including technology) to help students learn to reach their highest potential. As part of my current position, I feel I have impacted many students and teachers. It has been a slow process but as I visit classrooms I see students and teachers utilizing tools to learn that used to sit unused or used only for rewards when the ‘real learning’ was complete. Technology is changing at a staggering rate, do you look at trends in technology and have you identified any that will impact the way you are operating today? I have been reading and studying for the past few years about online learning and the tools, conditions, standards, etc., necessary to provide professional development effectively in this type of environment. As budgets continue to shrink, I think this will become more important. How often do you evaluate the current technological needs of the district compared to those of the external environment (other districts)? We are continually gathering information in our district. Some with formal methods and some with informal methods. I believe our district does this more frequently than other districts.

+ Connected Leadership Model Peggy is connected to “an array of people and ideas, must in turn help connect their students. Peggy is constantly in touch with environment-with trends, issues, and other forces that affect the profession. Peggy brings out the best in others.

+ Insights The connected leader recognizes that without keeping an eye on the future you may be doomed to remaining a prisoner of the past. With this eye on the future, the connected leader welcomes innovation, embraces change and thrives on chaos. The connected leader recognizes that only the smartest will survive the immense challenges of the future.