Effective schools act as learning communities. Through positive, nurturing, and authentic learning environments, school communities are able to benefit from multiple opportunities to grow both in and out of the classroom. These environments further serve to enrich academic and professional development, character, and integrity. As an educator and leader, I am committed to facilitating these opportunities for all students, staff, and others community members. The core values and beliefs that consistently guide my practice can be further expressed through the principles of collaboration, trust, and empowerment.
Collaboration
I am a firm believer that “the answer is in the room.” A healthy culture of collaboration and visibility reduces the factors that limit learning and growth. Leading by example and inspiring teachers to do the same has a direct effect on student learning. As an educational leader, I welcome the responsibility to create and sustain an educational setting in which students can benefit from as many learning experiences as possible, both in and out of the classroom. To achieve this, it is important to first get a sense of the culture, climate, and history of the school. This helps to identify how my educational values can further advance learning while also serving to unify different backgrounds and beliefs for a shared vision for learning. Only by identifying past struggles and successes at the school can leaders construct successful collaboration opportunities for all stakeholders, always keeping the school’s guiding statements at the forefront of conversations and decisions.
Trust
Leadership can at times be difficult, especially when different viewpoints meet. Any crucial conversations and decisions must be based on school values, mission, and what is best for students. When done so, combined with patience and time, an environment based on trust is truly fostered and developed. An effective leader consistently sets the tone with vision and inspiration developed through genuine listening and clear communication channels. Furthermore, it is essential that all members of the school community identify the overlap between my efforts, decisions, and commitment to student growth and achievement. Leadership also means setting clear boundaries and expectations for how a school will operate. Through the design and implementation of effective systems across the school, I have learned that visionary leadership can be identified through strategic planning and maximizing resources while not shying away from owning mistakes or oversights. Prioritizing this transparent partnership will help build and strengthen a culture of trust within teams, where we all grow professionally, learn from, and support each other.
Empowerment
Those who know me say I am a people person. As a leader, I use my interpersonal skills to work alongside my teachers, empower them to develop their own leadership capabilities, and create opportunities for them to share their experiences and successes with colleagues. I value innovative, forward-thinking, and high-quality teaching and learning and encourage my teachers to try new strategies and innovations. Through focused support and guidance, teachers will not be afraid to take educational risks and step outside their comfort zone. Also essential for growth and development is for an instructional leader to provide consistent feedback. This, in turn, helps teams develop and work towards identified professional goals and celebrate successes. Establishing positive and nurturing relationships has been a top priority ever since I entered education. In my 17 years in education, I have emphasized how authentic learning promotes creative thinking and a drive toward professional growth and self-awareness.
Colleagues identify my commitment to the wider team, my continued desire to grow as an adaptive leader, and my dedicated efforts to consistently seek to contribute to all facets of a school’s mission and vision. I enjoy taking advantage of opportunities to stay updated on current educational research and practice. I look forward to all opportunities where I can use my leadership experience to be an agent of change that continues to drive learning at all levels.
Mark Dominguez 