Reflection 1: Transformational Leadership

            Transformational Leadership is a leadership style that can only be successfully implemented by a leader who has reached a personal developmental level of self-actualization.  A transformational leader is a person that must be able to work well collaboratively and encourage others to achieve their goals.  I picture a school where everyone is aware of the vision and everyone is working together to achieve the same goal.  All schools want what is best for the students, they want to students to learn and be successful, despite the type of leadership.  Majority of teachers are working to achieve this goal.  Many times in schools the collaborative piece is missing, there is often a lack of communication.  In these schools, teachers may be doing their best and working very hard, but still may not be as effective as they could be if they would work together.  This is where a transformational leader is useful.   This type of leader will bring the staff together to motivate them to reach higher standards, and provide meaning.  By bringing the staff together and encouraging them to work as a team the leader will be able to stimulate and encourage creativity.  As stated in The Transformational Leadership Report, the staff can form a connection with the administration, each other, and their goal.  This will help them see that they are in this together, they can overcome obstacles and achieve their mission.  By working together and doing everything with intention and purpose, the staff will be able to see beyond the short term and focus on the vision. 

            A transformational leader encourages positive change along with making things meaningful.   These qualities will help the administrator lead integrating technology instruction in his/her school.  In seeing beyond the individual, the classroom and the school, the transformational leader can guide the staff so that they can see how what they do benefits the community and society.  A transformational leader embraces the future and the change that it brings.  When our students graduate they will be become part of a workforce that uses a variety of technology.  Along with the need to know how to use technology for the future, integrating technology allows students to have access to a world beyond the classroom.  It allows for a variety of interventions, and differentiation.  The transformational leader can look at the immediate and future benefits of technology and encourage the staff to develop creative ways to integrate technology.  The staff involvement in using technology would not be because they were told that they must, but because they trust and believe in the administration, and can see the benefits for themselves.  The administration would only be a guide as the staff worked together to use technology for the benefit of their students.