Titles are essential for the vast variety of roles in education, but they are not the only factors defining what educators do. In fact, there are countless opportunities to create real change in every school, and they are just waiting for someone to take the lead!
In our newest Lead Like a PIRATE Guide book: Lead beyond Your Title; Creating Change in School from any Role, the passionate Nili Bartley challenges us to take ownership of our own leadership capacity and empower those we serve to do the same.
Check out this guest post as Nili inspires us all to "be courageous and spread courage like crazy!"
Guest Post by Nili Bartley
I am thrilled to have written Lead beyond Your Title; Creating Change in School from any Role. A PIRATE leadership journey I lived and continue to live every day, I am honored to be able to share it with the world. As an educator in a non-administrative role, writing my journey was scary, liberating, and one hundred percent worth it. Too often we hear educators who desire to make a greater impact yet feel stuck. And all too often we hear educators express they feel alone with their enthusiasm. If you are committed to making our classrooms and schools as amazing as absolutely possible, places where kids AND adults are running to get in, I hope you will join me in elevating our impact together. We are never ever alone. We all have the power to contribute to thriving cultures as well as those that are hurting. We all have the power to bring leadership out in our colleagues, our students, and even our administrators. And we certainly have the power to be resilient when the challenge is real.
My journey began in the classroom four years ago. I jumped on Teach Like a PIRATE, thanks to amazing friend and leader, Beth Houf, and never looked back. My students quickly joined me in a PIRATE adventure and soon revolutionized our classroom and the way we learned. Passing the mic along the way to authors and rockstar educators willing to connect with us, we began to connect in new ways, and my students were leading beyond their own titles in no time, and they were most certainly leading me. From strength and passion-based learning and student-led PD to superhero performances, it was important for me to offer ideas that you can make your own for those you serve. Regardless of our roles, it’s our students who we show up for every single day. It’s critical to tap into their power to spark leadership within the walls of the classroom and beyond.
Throughout the rest of the book, the “SuperPIRATES of Crew 202” most certainly stay with me. In fact, the second section challenges us to dig deep, tap into our own superpowers, and become the leaders we can all be not just for our students, but for the adults in our building as well. My role soon changed to K-3 technology integration coordinator, and I had a lot to learn. One thing I would discover is that in many ways, my title and role were both misunderstood. I learned that from any title, we have the capacity to reach beyond what’s been defined for us. It takes an awareness of how to serve those around us, and this is not always easy! It takes reflection on what’s working and perhaps more importantly, what’s not. And it most certainly takes communication EVEN when it’s uncomfortable.
The final section discusses the importance of becoming a more impactful leader for our colleagues as well as the idea of leading up. It was important for me to address a message that rings clear throughout Lead Like a PIRATE; we are better when we’re on the same team. After all, when we believe anyone in our culture can lead, we must also believe that anyone can be led. From building a crew with an open roster to elevating impact through conversations that matter, I chose to focus specifically on our ability to passion up and to inspire those around us to do the same. I hope, once again, you will be able to take ideas and challenges and become empowered to make them your own!
I have seen many educators fall into the myth that we need to be perfect. I hope anyone reading Lead beyond Your Title, will instead aim to be courageous and spread courage like crazy. I hope you will look at your own title, own it, love it, and yet become loud and proud with how you lead beyond it. I hope you will realize that you are worth knowing and that you’ll commit to bringing who you are to those you serve every single day. Finally, I hope you will spark or continue your own leadership journey and most certainly share it with the world.
Thank you, Nili!
If you don't feel empowered after that outstanding post, you might want to check your pulse. *wink*
Nili, we are honored to publish your manifesto: Lead beyond Your Title; Creating Change in School from any Role; it is sure to inspire others to "passion up," no doubt!
If you'd like to check out Nili's book, click the link below. If you scroll down to the large cover image and click "Free Preview," you can read the first few chapters for FREE!
PS When you click the link below, check out Nili's book review video! Just FYI...we don't take ourselves too serious. How about out that blooper reel?!
Part of the Like a PIRATE™ Blog Series
