Good evening! I'm Heidi. Teacher of the Deaf from KY. Tonight I'm honored to introduce our guest host @SuptNYSD who'll lead our #DeafEd discussion about a Journey Through Leadership as a Deaf Professional
Hello! I'm Darren, I teach high school social studies at @csdriverside, and I'm secretary on @caledorg board. Happy to be here for the first #DeafEd chat of 2019!
Hello @HeidiGASL I am pleased to be joining the chat with all of you! I look forward to sharing my insight on the questions that will be shared with all of you. It will be an exciting chat.
A1. You have to have excellent people person skills. It is important to know when to engage and when to listen. Also, have a good understanding of what is happening in your environment and be able to solve complex issues. #DeafEd
A1 (A). It is important to note that a great leader does not happen overnight but it is an acquired skill from different tools that you add to the bag so to speak. I have been in the field of Deaf Education for over 15 years. #DeafEd
A1. (B) I have learned one thing is that it is important to have an open mind and to keep learning as much as possible, even from your mistakes. #DeafEd
Lara, math coach at Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, here. Trying to multitask so I'll probably mostly observe, but looking forward to reading the responses #deafed
A1 great leads work to build relationships with their staff, are good at self-assessment and continuing to work to improve, be willing/able to jump back into the trenches (classroom) to be a good model and provide support #deafed
If I ever become a school administrator (working on my certificate), I really want to find time to borrow a class for a day periodically and teach to keep me grounded #DeafEd
A1 great leads work to build relationships with their staff, are good at self-assessment and continuing to work to improve, be willing/able to jump back into the trenches (classroom) to be a good model and provide support #deafed
A2. You probably have heard the saying, “Anyone can be a leader.” This statement is not true. It takes an immense set of knowledge and skill to know how to manage people, to respond to trends and to solve complex problems, and to make a quick decision when necessary. #DeafEd
A2. To lead programs effectively, it's necessary to understand what the needs really are. Data-driven decision making is key in this. Good data is not only numbers, but also stories. #deafed
A2 (A). In order to be a leader, you have to take on challenges and have heart. You have to have empathy and understand different perspectives from various groups. Everyone has different wants and needs. #DeafEd
A2. To lead an organization, you must know an organization. That's why it is CRITICAL that administrators of #DeafEd programs, especially schools for the deaf, have certification in deaf ed!
A2. (B) It is important to start small by managing a small number of people and gradually go from there. It is important to know how to manage your time and when to delegate to your team in order to effectively manage a large organization. #DeafEd
A3. This is a question I get asked often. It depends on which state you are in but generally...you have to have a background in Deaf Education. Preferably at least 5 years teaching experience. #DeafEd
A3 (A). You will need to take a course in educational leadership, have a good understanding of various Federal and State laws such as IDEA, ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act), Labor Laws, and vice versa. Be proficient in American Sign Language and have good writing skills. #DeafEd
A3. I think "is required" and "should be required" are 2 different things. If a certification in #DeafEd was one of the requirements, we wouldn't have so many deaf education programs being run by administrators across the U.S. without the background.
5 would be good for those who are interested in a mid-level position. Certainly not for a principal or superintendent position...those are what we call cumulative experience. I look for at least 10 to 15. #DeafEd
A3. Solid background in #DeafEd pedagogy. An administrator is the lead educator in the building and should be one that can provide coaching/support to teachers #DeafEd
I wonder where everyone is tonight. Just a few of us chatting. Although we are having such a robust conversation that it feels like there are a bunch of us! #DeafEd
Q4. I can attest this due to the lack of support for those who are interested in becoming an administrator in the field of Deaf Education. I do not think there is a leadership program in the country that focuses primarily on Deaf Education. #DeafEd
A4: there is a small number of deaf administrators in #deafed, yes, but a vastly smaller number of deaf administrators of color (Simms et al., 2008). This is something we can't overlook in conversations about representation. https://t.co/pomfjRocYH
A4. I couldn’t recall any designated hub of resources or institute dedicated to professional development among aspiring/current Deaf administrators in #DeafEd.
A4. I can attest this due to the lack of support for those who are interested in becoming an administrator in the field of Deaf Education. I do not think there is a leadership program in the country that focuses primarily on Deaf Education. #DeafEd
A4. Maybe CESAD and that FB group called ‘Future Deaf Education Administrators and Leaders’. I could be missing some but certainly not sufficient to meet the demands. #DeafEd
A4. (A) I mean, anyone can take a course in Educational Leadership at any University but Deaf Education is a unique field because it is very different than managing a public education program. #DeafEd
A4. (B) The second issue is that growing up as a deaf person, you are often told that you cant and this attributes to having low morale or self-esteem. This contributes significantly to the mentality that you are not good enough. #DeafEd
A4. (C) I was very fortunate to surround myself with people who have pushed me to reach for the stars. We, as educators, need to remind our children that no matter what, if they put their minds and heart then they can do anything that is possible. #DeafEd
A4. (D) Third, I would love to see more people of color and people of various background and preference to be more interested in becoming an administrator. #DeafEd
A1. The number one quality I want to see is someone who is not threatened by people who are younger, “new” to the field, recent graduates, and those with fresh ideas. Someone who embraces and promotes and sees it as a strength to the organization - not suppressing it. #DeafEd
A4. (E) I do not want to scare anyone but being an administrator is a tough field to be in and it is one of the loneliest jobs in the world. It is important to surround yourself with people who you trust to keep you sane. :-) #DeafEd
A4. (F) It also requires a good understanding of balancing work and life. I fully understand that as a Deaf person in the field of administration, any mistake I make, it is hard to start over and there is not a lot I can fall back on. However, the job is a rewarding one! #deafed
AND to fight a system that was designed to oppress. Even the exams, such as the Praxis, are biased that many Deaf teacher candidates cannot pass, let alone administrator candidates #DeafEd
A5. I would love to see Gallaudet or Lamar University establish a leadership program that specifically focuses on how to be an effective leader in Deaf Education. #DeafEd
A3. I struggle with credentials being the only pool of potentials - I understand studies and experience is important and I support that. I do think we gotta be flexible with other roles - some positions simply require management, collaboration, and presentation skills #DeafEd
A4. (D) Third, I would love to see more people of color and people of various background and preference to be more interested in becoming an administrator. #DeafEd
A5. (A) I am currently implementing a “Grow Your Own Initiative” in my program by encouraging and fostering those within my school who may be interested in being an administrator. I am currently mentoring 2 employees. They can and will become excellent leaders! #DeafEd
A5. (B) I would encourage those who may be interested in being an administrator to be bold and reach out to current or retired Deaf Education administrators. They may be extremely busy and may not be able to take on mentoring a future leader. It does not hurt to ask! #DeafEd
A4. Small percentage of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled even teaching their full potentials because of audism and systematic barriers that derailed them when they were kids. Also, Deaf-Space is still working to be intersectional for multiple marginalized Deaf experiences. #DeafEd
A5. (A) I am currently implementing a “Grow Your Own Initiative” in my program by encouraging and fostering those within my school who may be interested in being an administrator. I am currently mentoring 2 employees. They can and will become excellent leaders! #DeafEd
A4: We currently have an Ed Leadership Ed.D. program at @csunorthridge , but it is not #DeafEd focused (yet?). Several people who are Deaf or have a Deaf Ed background are in it or have gone through it.
A4. I can attest this due to the lack of support for those who are interested in becoming an administrator in the field of Deaf Education. I do not think there is a leadership program in the country that focuses primarily on Deaf Education. #DeafEd
A5. Mentor new & young professionals. Don’t sit in your position until you retire and let someone take over once you leave — train them and prepare them. Invite them to meetings, give them projects, take professsional development plans to the heart, and truly collaborate. #DeafEd
A1: in addition to what’s already been said, good leaders know how to curate information. they work in transparency and know how to adjust their thinking and responses on the fly. You have to be a quick thinker as an administrator. #DeafEd
A6. It goes without saying that #DeafEd has evolved over the time & it will continue to do so…we’re entering uncharted territory with limited playbook basically. Mentors ensure we learn and thrive in a healthy way while we encounter the variety of challenges.
A6. Having a great mentor who you can trust and confide in is one of the best things you can have to become a more effective administrator. I currently have several mentors from various background. #DeafEd
A6. Deaf people benefit from role models and mentors significantly in the workplace, no matter what position they have or how much experience they have. https://t.co/3FeoriZvFY#deafed
A6 (A). Mentors can come from various backgrounds as those with legal, finance, and management experience. I also have current and former Superintendents in my circle of mentors. #DeafEd
A6 (B). I do not recommend having at least one mentor but several who can share and provide insight into what is the best course of action for a complex issue. Confidentiality is a must! #DeafEd
A2: you have to have thick skin as well. Not take everything personally. Ts can get into self-preservation mode. Admin has to be able to continue to remind staff of the big picture. #DeafEd
A6: When I was a special ed director (a whole 2 years before realizing it wasn't for me) I had multiple mentors - my former director, the district HR director, a former principal and a few others to give me different perspectives #DeafEd
A7. (A). *Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson
*Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Mecham (Leadership in history is important) #DeafEd
A7 (B). Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. The reason why I recommend this book is because it will help you to better understand data interpretation when it comes to organizational decision making and influence. #DeafEd
A7: because leaders should not only read books about "leadership" .. recent read, and highly recommended: So you want to talk about race, by @IjeomaOluo#deafed
A7. (C) Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond. I highly recommend reading this book to help you to understand why every decision you make has a profound impact not only on the organization but the human element when it comes to changes. #DeafEd
A7. Are there any books that are developed w/ social justice principles; critical theories; solidarity; intersectionality? Books in itself are very academic, so that alone makes learning inaccessible. I dunno a solution, but would love to know the most mindful resource. #DeafEd
A7. (E) Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn. This is a philosophical book and it helps you to have a different outlook on life, especially the intuitive mind. To be a great leader, you have to have the ability to understand the “other side”. #DeafEd
A7. (F) Lastly, I would recommend you read many history books to help you understand leadership for example - Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War that Changed American History. #DeafEd
