American Management Associaiton’s Advanced Executive Leadership Program

(This was a writing exercise completed during my recent learning experience through the AMA program)

“We all have had experiences that shaped our values and contributed to our ability to anticipate the future in positive ways. Some stories may come from adverse background or settings, some from publicly or privately celebrated personal successes. Searching our own history can give us the perspectives to connect, to teach, to lead.”

How will you use the stories to develop a sense of leadership in others?

While pursuing my Master’s degree program at Hunter College for Adolescent Education, a certain amount of field work hours inside the classroom was required, and I was excited for this opportunity to student teach during my last semester. I envisioned a nurturing environment, one where I would have guidance and support from an inspiring co-teacher. I was looking forward to learning new techniques and employing them during my lessons. Never did I expect another scenario, but the first words out of her mouth upon our introduction the day before school was, “I have no time for you, I don’t need you here. Go and come back tomorrow morning.”

I was crushed, disheartened, and felt terribly rejected. Throughout the first month, my co-teacher dismissed my presence in the classroom. In a moment of clarity I realized that it was up to me to make this experience beneficial not only to enhance my skill set, but to enable the success of the students as well. I decided to observe and assess areas of need in the classroom and fill in the gaps with my strengths.

I identified a large number of underperforming students who struggled with various types of learning disabilities. They needed more academic support, smaller working groups, and individualized attention. This led to me host study sessions during lunch and after school everyday, all of which were welcomed and greatly appreciate by my students!

Eventually, my co-teacher recognized the advantage of having another dedicated person in the classroom environment, noting an overall improvement in grade point average and class participation.

We started to collaborate on our lessons and I made a conscious effort to utilize differentiated instructional methods so that each student’s learning style was accounted for. I wanted my co-teacher to see I was not there to take over or be competitive, but to view me more as a fellow future teacher, working harmoniously towards the same goal: advancing the academic knowledge of the students.

During the semester, the history department made a decision to split the classes into two categories; high and low functioning (red and blue). This separation was very apparent to students. The distinction made students feel inadequate compared to their peers placed in the higher functioning class. My co-teacher was very honest when she expressed that she didn’t have the patience to work with the “blue” group and praised my abilities to work so effectively with struggling students. I suggested that she teach the “red” class and I would teach the “blue.” The compromise worked out perfectly.

My students continued to excel during my time at their school. I credit this towards the fact that I truly wanted to work with them and believed that they were capable of achieving their goals. Teachers are leaders of the classroom. They are there to encourage, inspire, and enforce positive behavior regarding respect, collaboration, and goal achievement.

While my “blue” students had their struggles, they performed beautifully under my guidance, blurring the line between themselves and “red”.

As much as I assisted them towards accomplishing their goals, I always made sure to let them know how much I appreciated the way they helped to shape me as an educator. I knew I was bound to have a great experience as a student teacher; I just had to create my own and not rely on someone else to give it to me.

I now am able to reflect and realize that goal oriented leaders take responsible, deliberate, and actionable steps. Don’t wait for someone to give you the green light, turn the switch yourself and go forward!

***AMA/Leader to Leader Scholarship

By Risa Cohn

Each year, Leader to Leader partners with the American Management Association to provide 75 scholarships to nonprofit leaders. The scholarship, among other things, includes one management education and professional development seminar offered by AMA in the United States.

Apply for the Scholarship

Please contact Risa Cohn, risa@leadertoleader.org if you have any questions about the application process.