Respond to student posts:
Annette Washington post
There are many characteristics that effective leaders of change must have. Leaders of change have to have good communication skills. They will have to communicate changes and other important information with the shareholders and stakeholders. Effective change leaders also have to have the ability to lead. They must be able to do the work that they expect others to do and lead by example. They have to adapt and understanding that changes will always in the workplace. The most effective way to handle change is to be able to adapt to changes. Effective change leaders are organized. Organizational skills are necessary for the organization to function properly. In order for leaders to get respect from the employees they have to be respectful themselves. Respect from all will create a positive working environment where effective production can occur. Good leaders are understandable and work well with people. They have compassion for others. I have been blessed with my work experience. All of the leaders that I have worked under all were effective leaders of change and displayed these characteristics. I have always worked in positive working environments and I believe that this is because everyone was respectful of each other.
The key stakeholders are students, educators, parents, and school personnel.
Problem: Parents were upset because they did not feel they received enough information regarding the Common Core State Standards. Many parents do not support the standards because they do not understand them.
Solution: Inform the parents and get the correct information about the Common Core State Standards to them. Communication is very important. We have to have open communication with parents. They should feel comfortable enough to discuss any issues that they have with us. They should be encouraged to be active in the schools and classrooms. All educators and school officials have to be knowledgeable of the Common Core State Standards and be able to answer any questions that the parents may have regarding the standards. It is our duty as educators and school leaders to inform the parents of any changes in their child's education. We have to do our part to gain and keep their trust. Parents are a critical part of their child's education. That is why it is important for them to get involved and stay involved in their child's education. This includes being willing to support the Common Core State Standards. This means they have to have an understanding of them and how they work.
Sheymirra Tyree post
Effective leaders of change are individuals who are passionate and constantly strive to make improvements in the world, community, and/or work environment. This type of leader does not need any added motivation because their desire to create change is all that is needed to keep pushing forward. In my previous work experience I have worked with leaders who embraced their role and created almost a family environment that consisted of staff that truly liked and respected each other. I have also worked under leadership that was so challenging that the staff grew closer out of a mutual dislike for management.In both cases, staff can be seen coming together over shared interests, but it is more productive when staff is able to do so under a quality leader. For instance, I once worked with an early childhood teacher who taught in the three-year-old classroom. Prior to coming to the child care center, she had taught in the public school system as an elementary school teacher. Her educational background and teaching experience brought a wealth of knowledge to the center. Still, what made her stand out the most was her passion and dedication for the children in her care. People who are successful and creating change know the best way to be effective is to constantly make small changes to the change process (Swing, 2009). When other teachers wanted to give up on the challenging child who had daily outbursts, she was doing research to find ways to reach him and improve the overall learning experience in her classroom. The extra steps she took to work with him and his parents did not go unnoticed and she was soon promoted to director at another location. It was evident that she had the vision, insight, and skill to create innovative solutions to provide effective learning opportunities for children (Claudet, 2010).
Problem Statement: Early intervention training should be a requirement for early childhood teachers and providers. To better address this issue the primary stakeholders must come together in agreement for the sake of providing the best learning environment for the children enrolled at the childcare center. This would include a meeting with early childcare providers/teachers, parents, and early intervention specialists. Although providing early intervention services in childcare may be costlier on the front end, it actually results in being the most economic choice on the back end as children enter primary school (Rand Labor & Population, 2005).A possible risk for teaching early intervention methods to childcare teachers are that the methods may not be used properly. However, the pros could result in teachers feeling confident and developing the skills to deal with complex children while maintaining a level head and professionalism. With that being said, I have devised four questions pertaining to this issue for the stakeholders:
Are you equipped to care for children who could be suffering from undiagnosed learning and behavior disorders?
What policies and procedures are in place to aid overstressed teachers and keep the children safe?
Can you afford additional staff to allow for one on one interaction for the child that requires more attention?
Can you afford a lawsuit?
It is important that the stakeholders are able to answer yes to questions 1, 2, and 4, and have adequate policies and procedures in place. This will reveal whether or not the stakeholders are able to provide appropriate care to all children. If they are not able to answer yes and do not have policies and procedures in place than they could be setting themselves up for disaster. Early intervention programs are more effective when the caregivers receive better training and are college educated (Rand Labor & Population, 2005).