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Dr. Peggy Patterson
was one of the keynote speakers for SFU's Summer Institute for 2012, and posed some interesting questions: What?
So What? Now What? These are questions
every educator should be asking themselves.
She brings learning back to our own practices, and what the implications
are for our own learning and our leadership
of the learning of others. She spoke of
the 3-dimensional framework of the learner, and about how the learner, learning
and leaders all enhance the learning experience.
When she spoke of the
qualities admired in a leader (honesty, forward looking, competent, and inspiring),
I reflected on the teachers/educators and co-workers that have been very
inspirational in my educational and career pathway. I feel that the leadership qualities she
listed existed in each and every one of them.
While I
was listening to Dr. Patterson, and thinking about my work within the health
authority, I thought about how leaders build excellence. Excellence is “being
all you can be” within the bounds of doing what is right for the organization,
and to reach excellence, we must first be a leader of good character (honesty,
forward looking, competent, and inspiring). Excellence starts with leaders of good and
strong character who engage in the entire process of leadership. Once we are leaders, and start practicing the
five practices of effective leaders (model the way; inspire a shared
vision; challenge the process; enable others to act; encourage the heart), we
are in a role to influence and educate others.
Using Dr. Patterson’s
words…How do leaders connect learners with learning? In my leadership role, I will ensure I focus
on the learner, and ensure I am part of the process that will connect the
learning to the learner.
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