My first post was pondering was about the “apprenticeship by observation” being a reason for the slowness of change in the teaching profession. In this blog are some thoughts about how I as a leader can influence this.

Guy Claxton, in a recent seminar I attended, encouraged Principals to replace the sign on their door with “Lead Learner”. Being a Learning Leader I must model someone who can work successfully with uncertainty, admit failings, take risks and to admit that I do not have all the answers. I believe that I must be well read and to have authenticity and conviction in my views and expectations based on latest research and learning. I have to have credibility to be able to fail honestly and not fail because I don’t know my stuff.

How do the things I do as leader constantly display inquiry, risk taking and challenge? How do I encourage teachers rooms, lessons and language to constantly display the same.

Markeeta commented on the previous post: “As a new teacher, I know I am very wary of rocking the boat because whilst I *do* have new ideas and would like try a different approach the reality is that the ‘establishment’ isn’t particularly keen on change. So… I tread gently because I can’t affect any change if I don’t have a job.”

I believe a leader’s role is to encourage innovation, risk taking and creativity in teachers. How can we expect teachers to encourage this in children when they themselves feel stifled to model it themselves? Some of the most significant programs we have at our school have not come about through my leading but through me supporting those willing to take risks and to take the lead. I include such successful innovations at Hackham East Primary as the single sex classes and innovative learning spaces. It is my role to enable innovation by removing the barriers to it. People do not innovate if they feel they are being judged. It is necessary for a leader to ask the right questions, to examine and clarify purpose but in a way that supports and empowers the innovator..

If this attitude is constantly modelled by me, then perhaps teachers will be more willing to follow the lead from me, the Lead Learner when I need to lead out front.