http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc
I
enjoyed watching Steve Job’s inspiring speech at Stanford for
Commencement address, I was very fortunate for closed caption (English
subtle) and English transcript provided from the video because for a
deaf educator like me was able to perceive every word uttered by the man
who made the significant historical contribution and changes in
mankind, as we know, regarding with advancement of technology. His
presentation topics were focused mainly on as following: urging post
college students to follow their dreams and perceive the failures, obstacles and struggle in our life as an opportunity for the success. Lastly
he challenged the philosophy of death. This is probably one of most
interesting graduation commencement speeches ever I heard, it was
inspiring to hear the speech especially from the businessman who
successfully changed the mankind history.
As
a principal, as I was inspired by Steve job’s speech, near the end of
school year, I will provide a staff development meeting with veteran
teachers about the mentor for incoming new teachers. In the meeting, I
will share benefits of mentorships as published in various literatures; a
short paid training will serve as incentives for the participating
mentors to work with new teachers. At the end of session, I
will provide a sign-up sheet for veteran teachers. This strategy will
help identify veteran teachers who are genuinely interested in serving
as mentors to first-year teachers.
Additionally, I
will always emphasize promoting awareness of diversity, particularly
religious beliefs, gender sensitivity and ethnicity, among students,
staff, parents and community members. It is important for me to manage,
and shape, the campus culture by analyzing and responding appropriately
to diverse needs. This can be accomplished by using data, such as campus
climate, demographics and emerging issues, to develop a campus vision
and create a plan for implementation.
Communication
and working with diverse groups to make certain all students have equal
opportunities for educational success must take place. I will
devote my time and efforts to pursuing a better learning environment for
every individual. On my campus, there seems to be strong team
leadership overall, but within each academic department, there may be a
lack of team leadership. For example, the special education and regular
education departments need to maintain greater communication to ensure
the provision of services, in accordance with IEPs, for students with
special needs. As a principal, I would plan staff development meetings
for the special education and regular education faculty to discuss
strategies for improving the quality of education for students with
special needs and increasing collaboration between the departments.
In
my reflection of his final words from the speech that he challenged the
infamous philosophy question of “Death”, it certainly did give me a
Goosebumps. He wrapped up his dark “Death” presentation into a bright
side of being successful in the life as he stated “Stay Hungry. Stay
Foolish” in a satirical way. The historical leaders scratched the page
opening from the history book because they did something great
contribution to the mankind that they don’t want the leader’s influences
to be forgotten for generations and this is something that we should
consider while using leadership’s hat. The messages sublimed through his
speech for the education world which the campus and instructional
leaders should share the effective instructional and motivational
practices for the teachers to increase student’s academic achievement
and technology knowledge/skills. It is our job as administrators or
teacher leaders to ensure the jointly effort of continuing the tradition
of academic excellence for all individual students and school
stakeholders.
