Leader of Service

My Philosophy of Service Leadership

--

Presented to the Department of Educational Leadership

and Postsecondary Education
University of Northern Iowa
-In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the
Advanced Studies Certificate--Principalship
-by
Jill S Versteeg
Johnston High School
Johnston, IA
July 2015
-Dr. Nicholas Pace

Leader of Service

Being a leader of service isnt usually what people associate with a building principal or
administrator. Honestly, I hadnt really thought about it that way until I was knee deep this
program. However when getting to the root of what educational leadership entails, serving the
students and teachers within our building and district is what is most important. Without them,
we have no purpose to our work. Serving the educational stakeholders in the community is what
should drive our work each day. Throughout the nine days on campus, it really hit me that being
a leader of service is perhaps the most important type of leadership.
Daily Reflections
Tuesday, June 16th
The concept that everything rises and falls on leadership is very true and resonated
strongly with me. A school can have all the talent in the world, but if there is no one capable of
leading them the talent is squandered and the students end up suffering. This makes me think of
the instructional leadership team at my school. This week they are getting the opportunity to
explore, discuss, and practice their leadership skills through a Steve Barkley training our AEA
sponsored. They are preparing to lead teachers within the building and hopefully overcome
some of the obstacles that stood in our way during this past school year. If we as an ILT are
successful at being instructional leaders within the school and showing competence as leaders,
then there is a stronger chance we can positively impact the teachers and students within our
building in a positive way.
The law of the lid is an interesting theory I hadnt considered previously. It makes sense,
however. The lower the lid lays, the less potential people are meeting. As you raise the lid
higher, the potential for greatness increases. However, this does make me wonder about leaders
who never make the attempt to raise the lid, so to speak. Do they simply become complacent or

Leader of Service

too comfortable within their skin to continue to grow and learn? What happens to those they
serve? Does the whole system become stagnant?
Wednesday, June 17th
A lot of LT Beckners discussion reminded me of the Cognitive Coaching course I took
last winter. The language was different and some of the descriptions of technique varied, but it
all comes down to the following: matching rapport, paraphrasing, questioning, establishing a
goal, and listening. When I work with a teacher in my role as an instructional coach, I try to be
very cognizant of my body language, my tone of voice and I try to carefully craft the words I use
in order to not further inflame a situation. I also want to make sure that the teacher feels they are
being heard and that the conversation is about them, not me. However, in terms of an
administrator, while much is the same, I do feel like some of it will come back to me and less
about them in the end. I am the one who may have to make a particular decision or have a
response. The decisions I make will greatly impact the student, family, and teachers involved. I
had better have as much information as possible and be able to make the right decision, on my
own or with a team, in order to best serve them.
Dr. Horn posed the question of why become an educational leader. I thought for a
moment, but it was really just to get the right words and ideas in place. I want to be an
educational leader to empower others and put in place policies and practices that will ensure the
best educational environment for students and teachers alike. As a group when we were listing
off the qualities it takes to be this leader, I was running about another 10 off in my mind. A few
that really settled with me were having tenacity, being conscientious, deliberate, and kind. Being
kind may sound simple, but I think it embodies so much. A kind person listens, wants to know
how to help, and does what is in their power to make changes and provide the best education

Leader of Service

possible. Tenacity is that idea of not giving up. I think the current buzzword for that is grit
(thank you Angela Duckworth!). This is something I would hope to instill in others, especially
students that its okay to fail and stumble, but its what you do when that happens that really
counts. Being conscientious and deliberate tends to go together in terms of being a leader. I
want to have as much information as I can, to consider every vantage point, and make a decision
I can back up (with support, preferably).
Thursday, July 18th: DITO IX
Wow! That is all I can say. Wow! What a powerful day filled with learning. I feel like I
lucked out with my scenario with just having a creepy dad to deal with, aside from the Internet
and student usage issues. While I may not have handled everything in the manner I think I
would if I were in my own school and working with students and parents I know within a
community, I do think that we were able to start to come to a resolution to move forward for the
benefit of his student. Sitting in the audience, I was so impressed by the ability of my peers to
diffuse situations, problem solve, ask questions and show compassion. What an amazing group
of educators! These are the type of educators I need to continue to surround myself with as I
move forward into being a principal.
On the drive home, I kept replaying these situations as well as thinking about things that
have happened in my own career as a special education teacher. Often, parents would be upset,
concerned, or questioning things happening within the school. I have always found that listening
and showing empathy makes the biggest difference. As a principal, I will not have all the
answers and I will make mistakes, but as long as I continue to listen, ask questions, care, and ask
for help when I need it, I think I will be able to handle a lot of situations thrown my way.

Leader of Service

Tuesday, June 23rd

What a fun and interesting session today. Learning how Sue, Tracy, and Jamie
communicate with others was impressive and inspiring. Having worked with special education
students, many on the autism spectrum, for 11 years, a lot of what they were discussing was not
new. However, getting the opportunity to see the adult aspect was intriguing. So often as
teachers, our students leave and we may hear from them or their parents for a few years after
graduation, but we dont always get to see the full extent of their growth.
One student, Jordan, I had the pleasure of working with for a number of years still keeps
in contact with me. He graduated three years ago and primarily we touch base through
Facebook. He is autistic, but highly verbal. In fact, his oral interpretations in English were some
of my best yet! He likes to keep me apprised of his exploration of group homes he is pursuing,
struggles with being social, and his progress at his job. I am also privy to his joke of the day!
During the session, my mind kept going back to Jordan. Had he not had the support from his
family, teachers, and support staff in our building, I wonder if he would have made to where he is
today; a strong, young man who is building a life for himself. Much of that started with our
school system. He had been in special education PK-12 and worked with a variety of teachers,
but I would say that administration was also involved with Jordan, knew his needs, his quirks
and above all recognized his strengths and encouraged teachers work with him to provide the
best education he deserved.
I do wish a few of my current administrators had heard Sue when she said having a
variety of support staff at school as detrimental to her learning. There was always such a delay
in her progress when a new associate was brought in to help her. She didnt blame anyone, but
just commented that it made things much more challenging than needed. This is a common

Leader of Service

discussion in our building when allocating associate minutes and how to determine which
associate is going to go with which student. A few years ago the idea was that the associates
could change every period in order to prevent some from going full time. Myself, along with
two other special education teachers, were adamant that a policy like that would hurt a student
overall and stunt their progress. We were able to come to a compromise, but it was still
reaffirming to hear Sues commentary on that.
My school has a very strong chapter of Best Buddies, and it is a source of pride for many
of our students. Being witness to the relationships that have been built through that program and
the positive growth on both sides of the buddy relationship is powerful. As a future administrator,
that is something I really hope my school has, or is open to have brought on board. Jamie said
that friendships are interesting to manage in my brain. I can imagine. Much of my experience
with autistic students is that reading social cues and displaying affect can be a challenge. It is
important to help autistic students, as well as others, to develop these skills and also foster them
as they continue in my school until leaving.
Wednesday, June 24th
Thankfully, I feel that issues surrounding LGBT teens is beginning to become less and
less of one. Yes, there will always be the outliers who are closed minded and unable to see
people for who they are, but in my 12 years as an educator, I am proud to say, that it is rare there
is an issue of harassment of LGBT teens in my school. We have a very strong Gay/Straight
alliance, several open couples, two past winners of the Matthew Shepard Scholarship and even a
student who was crowned Miss Drag Queen of Iowa last fall. Im not saying that everyone is
100% accepting, but I will say that there is an understanding that any libel or slander aimed at
LGBT students is unacceptable and not tolerated.

Leader of Service

I appreciated Dr. Paces article about his struggles with making sure he was doing right
by Pete. While often our first inclination as an educator is to defend those who seem to be
defenseless, we often need to be talked from the ledge so that we dont make a situation any
worse. That was the case with the notes being passed to Petes table. If Dr. Pace had stood up
and made a spectacle in front of the whole prom, Pete would have been embarrassed, the
community would have been upset, and prom would have been ruined. I also found the 5 pieces
of advice Dr. Pace gave us to be helpful in thinking about anything within a school that could be
potentially controversial. With this advice, it caused me to pose questions I need to continue to
keep in mind:
1.

Contextualize Leadership--what fits one scenario might not fit another; but doing

nothing will never fit the context. How will I know if I am making the right decision for all
students involved? Remember, fair isnt always equal.
2.

Tune into culture, people and relationships--student identified key source of school

support, but most important sources were outside of school. What is happening inside my school
to support all kids?
3.

See people, not problemsavoid tendency to jump to worst-case scenarios. As

soon as it becomes about me, youve lost the game. How can I continue to see people as
individuals and not as problems or a component of a problem?
4.

Leaders must leadwhats popular isnt always right; whats right is not always

popular.
5.

Live the Mission of your district/schoolWhat if I stray from the mission? How

will I be sure to bring myself back around? Who will assist me in this?

Leader of Service

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Dr. Jones! I have a connection with Dr. Jones not only
by being a student at Norwalk when he was superintendent, but his youngest son and my
husband are friends. Its such a small world! The entry plan will be something that is very
critical to me as a prospective candidate for a principal position in a district. I can just imagine
how powerful it will be as to walk in, entry plan in hand ready to show an interview team how I
will lead. Its exciting!
Thursday, June 25th
Dr. Schares and Dr. Beverly Smiths information regarding being a culturally competent
leader was enlightening. While I do think Ive tried really hard to be aware of cultural
differences within my classroom and tried to celebrate when possible, I guess I had never really
thought of culture in terms of the context in which you are living. For example, before Dr.
Schares brought up the example of her hometown being very strict Catholic and all Norwegian, I
hadnt really thought of culture in terms of where you live. I had really just thought of it in terms
of race, ethnicity, and religion. It makes sense though. My husbands family is from Sioux Falls,
SD and the town is very traditional in terms of family roles. The surprise of some of his family
to me going back to school again was irritating before, but now I think that it may have
something to do with the expectations of the role of the mother and wife in a family. In my view,
and my husbands, me going back to school only enriches my role as a mom by setting the
example of a life long learner for our kids and that I have career goals in my life. That is
something I really want to instill in my children. To someone of more traditional views, it may
be seen as going against social norms and impeding on my role.
As an instructional coach, I want to really push teachers this year to explore how they are
reflecting cultural competency in their classes. Reflecting on my time at Johnston High School, I

Leader of Service

really dont feel that we do this enough. Maybe its been a lack of diversity, or maybe its been
apathy. Either way, its time for that to change. When Dr. Schares challenged us to consider for
whom is the path most clear it really made me think. Do we as educators put things in place to
really clarify and allow for students to have a voice and be successful? Im not always sure.
Monday, June 29th
Dr. Gregersons discussion with us about ESL students in our classes resonated with me.
It got me thinking about some things we have starting this year in my own school. Weve
always had a blend of push-in and pullout classes, but for the first time at the high school we will
be adding sheltered classes for science and social studies. Im so excited to see how these will
work and the progress students will be able to make! Already since our seminar, 5 hours ago, I
contacted our ELL teacher and one of the shelter class teachers about how we could share the
cool things happening in those classes with other teachers and for us to keep it in our back pocket
while we are planning professional development this year.
When Dr. Gregerson said that whats good in sheltered classes is often good for a
mainstreamed class, I couldnt agree more! So often things that my co-teacher and I did in our
inclusive classes would be replicated in other English classes with success and greater student
growth. I think that there is a misconception of what it means to provide diverse learning
situations. Its not a bad thing; its an opportunity for all students to reach the playing field they
deserve to be on.
Tuesday, June 30th
The panel of current administrators and their spouses was very timely for me. My
husband and I have been having conversations about this and how already my summer isnt
really the typical teacher summer anymore with classes and my responsibilities in my position at

Leader of Service

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school. Its just been a different dynamic this summer with the extra days at work and meetings
Ive needed to attend. Fortunately with my husband changing jobs and starting his own
advertising/PR agency, we are able to make it work much better. If he were still at his previous
agency working 70 hours a week on average and traveling nearly two weeks a month, this would
never work. Hes happier in his new path, and Im hopeful for mine.
The idea of leaving work at work or in the car is one that I really struggle with and
always have. I think it has to do with being a special education teacher and some of the extra
baggage that comes with that. Its really challenging to not bring home the stuff that kids are
engulfed in on a daily basistheir home lives, peer issues, school strugglesand just leave it on
my desk. But, with my new role, Ive been able to do that a bit more at least until the kids go to
bed. Its so important to have that time as a family and keep it sacred. That is something that I
need to be sure to keep.
The analogy of the three-legged stool that Dr. Davis gave us makes a lot of sense. In our
careers we will always have stressors, but its the balance of stress with our support systems and
coping skills that is extremely important. As I reflect, I do think I have a really good support
system with family and friends and that will be important to keep in tact. However, I will need
to add to my coping skills. Right now, I do wish I exercised more and and was more regimented
about putting exercise into my daily routine. That is something I need to add to my wellness
plan.
Wednesday, July 1st
Honestly, I really didnt have a good idea of what to expect with the Ignite Presentations.
I knew that it needed to personify what we consider to be service leadership, but just didnt
know how each person would demonstrate that. I do wish that within my own cohort I could

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have been able to get around and see everyones. I felt that I needed to be at my table with my
shoes the whole time so was disappointed I didnt get around to all of them. However it was
good to get to the UEN cohorts and see their ideas since.
This spring, I wasnt sure if I was looking forward to the nine days on campus or
dreading them. The thought of being a few hours away from my family, not participating in our
summer activities and being in class was a little uneasy to me. But, after the first day I was
relieved and excited to be back on campus working, studying, and being able to devote my time
to being a student and really focusing on my work and reflecting. It really is a gift from the
program.