Program Refflection of the M.S. Ed. Program at University of New England
Being a part of an graduate level education program, was with some apprehension..The demand for excellence in teaching is at an all time high, while funding and the promise of advancement has really begun to become slow o non-existent.UNE and the educat5ional leadership program has truly given an education for a lifetime.While some programs focus on individual curriculum and programs, UNE focuses on creating a model for becoming an advancing educator, no matter where a teacher might be in their educational journey.By empowering educators to try new styles of instruction, student incorporation in planning, and teaching educator to invest in the profession as contributors, graduate students can truly see how education is not just a profession, but rather a way of interpreting life.
I truly believe that this program allowed me to see the role that was meant to be filled as an educational leader. Before taking this program, my concepts on leading in an educational institute seemed much like the job f a certified principal or director, two positions that I and hoped I would never be interested to fill. it seemed that these professionals were the most feared and the most despised of them all, since it seemed that they only handed out more work, and more demands to conform to the system. Being a leader before this program meant being hated, sacrificing a lot of relationships, and being the "bad-girl" of authority.
Contrary to my former beliefs being an educational leader means finding solutions that are manageable, and usually generated by another. The facilitator role fits nicely in the job description, along with relationship builder and champion of innovation. The role of the educational leader is to capture the ideas of the school professionals and assist in creating a road map so that they can be successful, and of course after all is said and done, celebrate the wins and research the losses. Additionally, an educational leader doesn't need a certificate or a position to lead teachers to their next level, they simply need to know who has the best skills for the right job, and motivate the faculty to invest in a better idea, method or theory of doing things.
It is very evident that taking this challenge of a graduate degree has not only allowed my to grow as a professional, but has also laid new ways of really investing in the community and world as I know it.In the future I plan to continue to develop curriculum for the changing needs of students and current trends that effect the youth that will one day lead our world.Additionally, I plan to investigate further the opportunities to teach adult level classes in education, and participate in a doctoral program in education within the next five to seven years.I look forward to celebrating the success of my colleagues and watching the impact that the UNE students will ultimately have in the education world.