Lutheran Education Queensland participants in the LEA Leadership Development Program (LDP) came together with mentors and staff from LEQ and LEA to share their learning as a final presentation assignment. Formal academic study through Australian Lutheran College and Australian Catholic University has culminated in the successful completion of a Post Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership.
Congratulations to our LDP Graduates; Mark Blackwell, Jodie Connors, Reid Dobson, Melissa Evans, Marg Gunn, Mark Hauser, David Hartshorn, Mandi Traecey and Deb Wamsley. Each participant shared an inspirational reflection of their learning and leadership journey.
Participants were supported by dedicated professional mentors from across our schools. We acknowledge and extend our sincere thanks to David Bliss, Eloise Beveridge, Tony Longmire, Colin Minke, Virginia Warner, Heidi Hansen, James Nelson, Nicole Gregory, Chris Mallett and Katrina Valencia for their commitment to growing leaders throughout the two year program.
LEA is in the process of reviewing the current Leadership Development Program with the view to providing a suite of leadership development opportunities.
The following is a precis of reflections and insights shared by each participant.
Melissa Evans
Leadership is like a puzzle that comes together in different ways.
There are pieces missing and that’s ok.
Mark Blackwell
Authentic Leadership honours and values each person as they come before you.
How do we best describe the life of a leader in a Lutheran school?
Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.
Jodie Connors
A leader is a servant first.
Personal inquiry and action research showed me I needed to ask more questions and help other teachers find answers to questions around practice.
David Hartshorn
The qualities of a leader are broad, deep and wide. They are visible and invisible, named and un-named.
God is at work in all people, whether they realise it or not.
I am challenged to be the change I want to see in my community. It starts with me!
Reid Dobson
A growth mindset and a focus on Positive Education is vital in growing a learning community.
Wellbeing is woven into the educational journey of students.
Marg Gunn
We are all responsible for our own wellbeing.
What works is personal and will be different for individuals.
What is your one word that describes and grounds your focus?
Mark Hauser
Leadership is simple and so complex. It has a focus on enhancing the capacity of others. Leadership is a shared venture.
The function of leaders is to grow more leaders.
Mandi Traecey
Leaders seek clarity on What Works Well (WWW) and identify ways that it can be Even Better If (EBI).
Deep insight for leaders comes from student voice.
Deb Wamsley
A sense of trust, ‘we-ness’ and relationships is the foundation to leadership.
Action Research is a useful and practical tool, providing ongoing insight for authentic leadership.
Alignment of principles and values is critical in authentic leadership.
We continue to hold our LDP Graduates in our prayers and celebrate their ongoing commitment to developing skills and understandings for effective leadership in Lutheran learning communities.
Blessings as we serve, lead and learn together.
Darren
