Brian's Blog

The education sector thrives on passionate leaders, but for introverts, navigating this world can feel like venturing outside their comfort zone. Society often glorifies extroversion, but introverts bring a valuable perspective and skillset to educational leadership. In this article, I explore and reflect on how introverts can leverage their strengths to become exceptional educational leaders. I have primarily relied on older articles for my research, which is not my usual approach. Nonetheless, delving into the wisdom of the past has been a fascinating endeavour, even in today's modern world. To begin this article, speaking as someone who identifies strongly with introverted leadership traits, I must admit that expressing these thoughts feels vulnerable and somewhat daunting. It's akin to unveiling a part of my authentic self, which can be both revealing and demanding. Quiet Strength Introverts are natural listeners and observers (Grant, 2013). They excel at taking in informat...

  This Easter long weekend is a time for reflection and remembrance within the Christian calendar. As such, it offers a perfect opportunity to explore the concept of servant leadership and how historical leaders exemplified this approach. In this blog post, I will explore the immense value servant leadership holds for educators in today's modern schools due to its ability to address the complex challenges and needs of contemporary education ( Larson & Sweeney, 2013) . It promotes a student-centred approach, aligning with contemporary educational philosophies that prioritise individualised learning and student wellbeing ( Larson & Sweeney, 2013; Sprenger, 2017 ) . By focusing on the needs and growth of each student, educators can create inclusive and engaging learning environments that cater to diverse learning styles and backgrounds ( Sprenger, 2017) . Servant leadership is driven by serving others over seeking power. It's about core principles like humility, selflessn...

Effective teaching hinges on educators having a clear vision of student achievement. Backward design, a method pioneered by Wiggins and McTighe (2005), facilitates this clarity. It prompts educators to begin with the end in mind, identifying desired learning outcomes before crafting lesson plans, assessments, and activities. By prioritising the destination of student learning, educators can strategically shine a light on and illuminate a map of the journey to get there, ensuring each step contributes meaningfully to student growth (Grant, 2002; Fullan & Langworthy, 2014) . In this blog post, I will explore how backward design can transform learning experiences. By starting with the end goal, educators can pinpoint what students should Know, Understand, and Do (KUDo’s). This deliberate approach not only fosters engagement but also cultivates essential skills such as understanding one's learning preferences (Fink, 2003) . By equipping students with the tools to comprehend their l...