Reflection #1 - Scheninger

Digital Leadership by Eric Sheninger is one of the few required readings I have had the privilege to utilize that I definitely want to include in my resource library. This is the type of book that does several things that work well for me and how I learn, which is what I want to talk about now.

First, this book presents in depth information in a very easy and practical format. The chapters are set up in a way that it is practical and easy to locate information you want to locate. I have already utilized this strategy for multiple blog entries I have completed for this course as well as going back to look at different parts as a way to think about how I can make changes to my teaching method for this upcoming year. Two of the chapters I have reviewed several times which have impacted me thus far are Chapter 2, Why Schools Must Change and Chapter 3, Keys to Leading Sustainable Change. Both of these chapters have given me the insight to feel comfortable about trying to change and more importantly, that change is needed. For the first time, it really got me thinking about the fact that although I have tried to implement some technology into my classroom over the years, much of my teaching style, environment, expectations, etc are very similar to my own experiences going through school as a student in the 90’s simply because this is what I know and what I have experienced. However, these two chapters have really made me think about the fact that although many of my experiences can still be replicated and implemented, today’s students do need and demand a different method of education and for teachers to utilize different tools in order to meet their needs.

Secondly, within the chapters of this book, the author uses very simple and down to earth language in order to present information. Many books that you encounter about specific topics within education use industry specific terminology and try and prove how smart their information is by utilizing vocabulary that is difficult to follow and understand. I have made many highlights within this text, written notes and comments in the margins as I read that build on what the author is sharing. So much of what the author shares in this book are strategies and ideas for how anyone can start improving their teaching style and leadership style by incorporating digital learning. These are the types of things that I have already utilized from this book. I have made many notes within this book and have written own multiple things that I want to try and incorporate in my classroom in the short term, while also taking note of things that will help shape me into a future leader and administrator. I am someone who understands theory, but I much prefer application and strategies for change which this book is full of.

One of the most important things I have taken from this book that I can implement right now in order to help promote myself as a future leader is what Sheninger said on page 115, “It is essential for principals and school leaders to develop professional learning networks both within and beyond their local organizations.” This quote made a lot of sense to me because it got me thinking about how I can start preparing for future leadership immediately in a way that will have a direct benefit to me down the road. In addition to this quote, Chapter 7 on Branding also directly impacted me in the same manner. This is another example that was easy to follow and understand in which I can immediately apply to my professional life. It is important to have a brand and to market your own brand when you are a leader, but self branding starts now, not when you become a leader. Self branding helps you reach the point of leadership, and helps you maintain leadership. This was a great confirmation I came across as I feel like many people who strive for advancement or leadership roles rely on the mindset of “when I become an administrator, I will…. Instead of the mindset I have had in my profession

al life of “if I start doing this now, it will carry over into when I become and administrator”.

In conclusion, it is difficult to really break down all of the things I have taken out of the readings we have completed with Sheninger’s book. The one main takeaway for me is simply the fact that everything I have pulled out of this book, is something that I can start implementing now and start planning to implement in the near future. At the same time, it is a resource that will be easy to access and utilize moving forward and will have a drastic impact on me as a professional in both how I change my mindset as a future administrator in regards to changes I can immediately make, as well as the fact that I feel I am already a better educator because of how it will impact my teaching in the short term. I am glad I made it through this book once in just a week and am shocked at how much it has impacted me. But I am even more excited for when I go through it a second, third and fourth time down the road and the new nuggets I will pull out of it that I previously missed, or forgot about.