February 20 , 2005 - Willing to Lead and Follow

I attended a workshop conference today on technology leadership. The keynote speaker talked about leadership as an apporach to change. As I was listening, I thought to myself that I could/should be out there doing this. I noticed this at FETC, but the feeling was not as prominent. Why am I now thinking this way and seeing this way? Perhaps I'm ready to begin stepping "out there" and setting the pace and leading the way. I remember when I committed to the OMET program, I knew--without a doubt--that I would be different after going through the program. Is that the essential element that develops leaders? What if I wasn't open to that change? Would that alter my desire to step into leadership? How do you cultivate leaders?

 

During the conference, the Deputy Secretary of Educational Technology for Pennsylvania gave the opening and closing speech for the conference. I was energized and motivated by the presentation. He has vision, a framework, energy, and desire to lead Pennsylvania school's into the 21st Century. He was approachable, stayed the entire time at the conference, made himself available, talked to members about their concerns, and most importantly....enjoyed himself during the conference. This is someone that I could follow and get behind and lead with. One specific reason that I am so impressed was his focus on student learning...LEARNING..it's been a long time since learning has been the focus of technology in PA. That, for me is the tipping point!