Teacher’s notes on principles of servant leadership
К содержанию номера журнала: Вестник КАСУ №1 - 2012
Автор: Осколкова А. А.
One thing that
impacted me the most from the principles course was a topic for discussion
about the purpose, especially one’s vocation or mission. It is very important
when you know what you want and you do your best to get it. It is absolutely
terrific when your work and your mission coincide. It will not be surprising,
if I say that today many people do the thing they do not like and coming home
they start doing something else that brings them a lot of pleasure. For
example, a well-paid job does not mean a favorite one and vice versa. Once I
was told about the choice of profession: there are two types of teachers – the
first one works for mission, the latter one works for money. As for me, I love
my work and work for my vocation.
I am a curious
learner and a thoughtful industrious teacher. I have chosen such a profession
that always inspires me to self-develop and improve both personally and
professionally. It is a person (with all their outside and inside worlds) that
is more important for you than material matters. Of course, work brings us
self-realization and improves our self-esteem, but, as the doctor’s daughter, I
believe and I am sure that health, then family, is more significant in our
life.
To mention my
teaching experience, I started my teaching practice when I was a four-year
student. By chance, my own teacher asked me to hold a class of English in my
own group. I did it with pleasure. Then during the break (the same day) our
dean’s secretary wondered if I wanted to work. I agreed and my work started. I
worked at the technical economic college from the morning till the afternoon
and studied at the university from the midday till the evening. Actually, I had
some problems with deadlines at the university but I managed with it. It
happened at the beginning of the semester. Then our students’ course applied
for school practice (internship). I did all my best during this period. I think
I proved my professional and linguistic level. Among fifteen students, as I
remember, I was invited to work as an English teacher at the school where I
practiced. It was such an honor for me. Both I and my parents were proud of me.
As a result, I quitted the college and went to school (still studying at the
university). I have worked at school for two terms. Unfortunately, not all the
school teachers accepted me as their colleague (for most of them I remained a
student). After it I left that place with no regrets.
After summer break
I tried my luck on a teacher’s interview at KAFU in 2007. My former fellow
student had phoned me and informed me of the interview (I started to believe
that people had a good influence on my life. I believe in destiny. I try to see
only good points in one’s character).
Since then I have
been working at KAFU. Practical aspect of English (grammar, speaking, and
phonetics), English literature, theory and practice of translation, methods of
teaching English as a second language are not the only disciplines that I
teach. The first two years were devoted also to studying at the master school.
Teacher at day, student – at night =). I am also an adviser and a supervisor of
certain groups that belong to me. At our foreign languages department I plan
and organize extracurricular activities for the teachers. Recently, I, together
with my colleagues, arranged and kept a New Year party for the workers and
teachers of our university.
When the semester
started I wanted to participate in leadership courses as fast as possible.
After finishing my dance class and tutoring English in the summer, I had only
work and home matters. Leadership courses, first of all, were a kind of variety
in routine work, like a gulp of fresh air. My enthusiasm was visible, I think.
The Principles course actualized and pointed out or, it would be better to say,
reminded me of the matters I could have missed or forgotten or just never
thought thoroughly about. There were such matters as mission, values,
forgiveness, etc. The course made me renew and, in some way, change my view of
the specific topic. It helped me act the feeling and bring it to life. The very
program encouraged me to think over my attitude to the topics of the course and
come up to the conclusion. My aspiration is in knowledge. The program gave me
new knowledge and gave me a good push for an action in the future.
There is a good
proverb: “The worth of a thing is best known by the want of it.” It is an
English equivalent of a Russian proverb, literally saying – we don’t value the
thing we have got at the moment till the day we lose it. And when we lose it we
cry.
The values can be
common and private. Both of them can be different. Common values can be
independence, peace, wellbeing, etc. Private values are family, children, somebody’s
love, material wellbeing, etc. I have chosen five values. They are family,
honor, knowledge, respect and experience.
The value of
family is on the first place for me because I love my family very much and dear
every moment I spend with them. A person is a social creature who lives for and
with somebody in the family. There are also lonely people who cannot be envied
by family guys. A lonely person should beware of simple existence. Family is
above work, because work is something temporary, but the family is the only
people who need you and who are always willing to help you in any case. Family
love is worthy cause you are loved by them no matter whether you are a bad or a
good person.
Then I put honor,
and I think it is the hardest value to practice. Honor is an inside quality. It
can be invisible but provides you with humility and moral strength. Person
should remain a person, anyway. Honor is not virginity or masculinity (as some
people might think). Honor is an original human nature, it is inborn and hard
to nurture and change.
There must be a
constant desire to get new knowledge or information. According to Aristophanes,
ignorance can be educated, but stupidity lasts forever. Knowledge is a power
that energizes our minds into action, practice that makes perfect, as you know.
Respect includes
two main types: self-respect and public respect. Self-respect is more
important, I suppose. If you don’t respect yourself, how can you expect it from
others? The most important thing is what you think of yourself. Still, as
social creatures we always keep the common thinking and appreciation in our
minds.
And the last but
not the least, experience takes the fifth place in my value rating. Only past
experience is unchangeable. People invest money (for example in education) for
their future experience. Both work and life experience is achievable, but it is
a person who is responsible to make it worth remembering and sharing.
I would like to
say that I would prefer to feel myself into an action, because I need some time
to turn a specific action into a habitual activity. I need the time to sort out
my thoughts and work over my psychological condition and only then I try to
make the first step. Values, I think, are a kind of limits or boundaries that
enclose the things one would like to get and have for a long time.
One day I read
such a note on the information board at the hospital where my mother works:
“While burning and dying I give light to others”. Near the note, there was a
picture of a burning candle. The statement referred to the doctor’s profession,
but, I think, it can also imply teacher’s one, one of the leaders activity – to
show the way and lead to the goal.
If you don’t mind
I’d like to give examples of my very work. As for safety and security, I work
in a building that protects me and my students from nasty weather and keeps
warmth inside. Well – lighted rooms with big windows and comfortable chairs
promote decent education.
I have already
mentioned I have got two groups where I am an adviser. I usually keep in mind
where my students are, what classes they attend, where they go if they warn of
their absence.
While they are on
my class, I am responsible for them, especially their safe healthy condition.
Before the class start on the 1st of September I put down or renew their
telephone numbers and other contact information.
I remember one
case when one of my students was threatened and bullied by other two senior
students. I heard their conversation in the corridor. I went out of the room
and they went away at once. I asked my student what they had told her. She had
no idea what they wanted from her. The next day I spoke with the whole group
and explained them my wish to help or consult in any of such cases. Personally,
I dislike those people who offend others when the stronger can tease, hit or
threaten the weaker.
At that moment I
thought that such “bullying” incidents may happen only at schools. It is very
important for a person to know that some people really care about him and prove
it with actions.
I love people and
when I pray before going to sleep I ask the God to help and keep my family,
relatives and close friends healthy and happy. In class my sense of humor, attention
to student’s health condition and mood, our common discussions, my Christmas
gifts for them – all this expresses my attitude and love for them. Of course,
not all people are ideal. I have had already problems, conflicts with the
students who disliked me as a person and my methods of teaching. It was quite
challenging for me, but I coped with it.
Group work,
gatherings, taking pictures promotes the sense of belonging. One example, of
belonging can be a students’ register. When a teacher remembers the names in
the group or when a teacher checks the project properly instead of putting a
check next to the student’s name.
Experiencing love
and belonging begins from the 1st day at the university.
The issue of
student’s self-esteem is rather controversial. For example, student’s
self-esteem cannot be equal to their progress in class. They expect to get more
than they deserve, so it takes time to explain to them the reason of giving
them an unexpected grade and to give comments about their low level of
knowledge. There are also students who can even jump happily if they are given
satisfactory grades.
Expectations are
different, but they must be realistic. Everything is learned in comparison.
In my opinion,
praise for good work, answering the students’ questions, listening to their
complaints and suggestions, giving them stimulus, motivating them with bonus
tasks or creative projects raises the level of their self-esteem. Self-esteem
is closely connected with self-confidence. Vulnerable students are easily hurt
and, therefore, their self-esteem declines faster. A good teacher won’t offend
a student, her/his personal interests, tastes and religious beliefs.
If a person is
safe and sound, if he works and studies in a secure premise, is loved and knows
where and why he belongs to the community, the members of which promote the
raise of his self-esteem and self-confidence, the final destination can be the
matter of self-actualization.
One Russian
proverb says that a man should fulfill three things in his life: 1) to plant a
tree; 2) to build a house; and 3) to bring a son up.
Apparently, we
don’t require these points from our students. First of all, a student’s
self-actualization concerns his\her private and academic life. The mission of
our university sets a goal for the students and teachers themselves – to
develop leaders capable of renewing their nation.
According to work
experience there are two types of students: the first study for knowledge, the
second study for diploma only. The first rely only on themselves, their skills
and abilities, the latter think that their “poor” parents and good connections
may help them find a profitable work place and succeed in life. Both have got and
follow their goals, but only one is worth the candles. Need and work for
knowledge is the most difficult but the most rewarding. Implied efforts make
the fruits sweeter and tastier.
The result depends
on the goal, the most vital thing here is to know exactly what you want to
achieve. As I compared the teacher’s work with a burning candle, so I would
like to conclude that my students’ feedback and work full of effort make my
candle burn for a good purpose.
Any change,
especially change in behavior, needs the time to develop, in my opinion. Since
taking the Principles course my attitude to other people hasn’t changed completely.
As I have always valued other people, maybe in some cases more than I value myself.
How do we call it? Selflessness? Usually I show my appreciation of people in
the following ways:
- Listening to a
person in a dialogue;
- Reminding them
of an important meeting at our department;
- Sending messages
on special occasions and holidays;
- Consulting them
on different academic, work and life matters;
- Buying and
giving small presents to them (without expecting to receive something back, for
example: pens, postcards, small notebooks, etc.);
To tell the truth,
I seldom start telling myself not to think about others so much, but I cannot
order myself as it is all about my upbringing and education. My parents and
grandparents brought me up in this way. The Principles course helped me to
notice such a thing: even if the person is not your friend or he/she is your
enemy it doesn’t mean that I should hate or dislike him or her. Still I should
respect this person just because he/she lives and plays his/her part.
There was one
person that I didn’t really care about or notice before, but I have chosen her
to respect and value now. We have studied together and now we work at one department.
When we were students we were not close friends, she was a kind of nuisance for
me: always asking questions, telling jokes I didn’t understand, etc. I didn’t
really like her. She is a good hard-working girl, but I didn’t pay too much
attention to it. After two years of study she got a scholarship to study
abroad. Before the autumn of 2007 we hadn’t kept in touch.
Then we started to
work together, and then she initiated the idea of our gatherings (together with
other two girls) – a book club. We gather, discuss the book we read together
and cook some simple meal or watch the video. She does find it really
important. Our common work and meetings helped me to understand and accept her
in the way she is. However, when she wants to crack a joke or to say something
funny about me, I usually know how to respond.
People are born
with good and bad features/traits of character. Due to many factors (e.g.
family, background, surroundings, school, etc.) bad or good features may
prevail in one’s personality. There are qualities I don’t like in people: very
high self-esteem, pride, feeling of superiority, indifference to others and
selfishness. These qualities are proved and shown in their attitude and
behavior. Among my surroundings I have got the people with such qualities:
former fellow students, colleagues, neighbors and so on.
Of course, it is
impossible to be liked by everyone. We are all different and unique. At school
I had some fellow students who disliked me (they even tried to fight with me
one day, but nothing happened); at work there are people who don’t say “Hello!”
and look at me as if I don’t exist; I had only good relationships only with the
neighbors on my floor in a 9-storey building.
All these people
live their lives; have got their own likes and dislikes, good and bad
qualities. Respect is a feeling that is formed by the work of two people: one
respects and another is respected, and the people one dislikes are not guilty
in it. There is one funny research that concluded: “attitude” combines 100 %
(if every letter of the alphabet is given a number – A= 1%, B= 2%, etc.).
Maybe, one of the simplest things, first of all, is to change your attitude,
change your angle of vision and see something new.
One day I read
such a note on the information board at the hospital where my mother works:
“While burning and dying I give light to others”. Near the note, there was a
picture of a burning candle. The statement referred to the doctor’s profession,
but, I think, it can also imply teacher’s one, one of the leaders activity – to
show the way and lead to the goal.
If you don’t mind
I’d like to give examples of my very work. As for safety and security, I work
in a building that protects me and my students from nasty weather and keeps
warmth inside. Well – lighted rooms with big windows and comfortable chairs
promote decent education. I have already mentioned I have got two groups where
I am an adviser. I usually keep in mind where my students are, what classes
they attend, where they go if they warn of their absence. While they are on my
class, I am responsible for them, especially their safe healthy condition.
Before the class start on the 1st of September I put down or renew their
telephone numbers and other contact information.
I remember one
case when one of my students was threatened and bullied by other two senior
students. I heard their conversation in the corridor. I went out of the room
and they went away at once. I asked my student what they had told her. She had
no idea what they wanted from her. The next day I spoke with the whole group
and explained them my wish to help or consult in any of such cases. Personally,
I dislike those people who offend others when the stronger can tease, hit or
threaten the weaker. At that moment I thought that such “bullying” incidents
may happen only at schools. It is very important for a person to know that some
people really care about him and prove it with actions. I love people and when
I pray before going to sleep I ask the God to help and keep my family, relatives
and close friends healthy and happy. In class my sense of humor, attention to
student’s health condition and mood, our common discussions, my Christmas gifts
for them – all this expresses my attitude and love for them. Of course, not all
people are ideal. I have had already problems, conflicts with the students who
disliked me as a person and my methods of teaching. It was quite challenging
for me, but I coped with it.
Group work,
gatherings, taking pictures promotes the sense of belonging. One example, of
belonging can be a students’ register. When a teacher remembers the names in
the group or when a teacher checks the project properly instead of putting a
check next to the student’s name.
Experiencing love
and belonging begins from the 1st day at the university.
The issue of
student’s self-esteem is rather controversial. For example, student’s
self-esteem cannot be equal to their progress in class. They expect to get more
than they deserve, so it takes time to explain to them the reason of giving
them an unexpected grade and to give comments about their low level of
knowledge. There are also students who can even jump happily if they are given
satisfactory grades.
Expectations are
different, but they must be realistic. Everything is learned in comparison. In
my opinion, praise for good work, answering the students’ questions, listening
to their complaints and suggestions, giving them stimulus, motivating them with
bonus tasks or creative projects raises the level of their self-esteem.
Self-esteem is closely connected with self-confidence. Vulnerable students are
easily hurt and, therefore, their self-esteem declines faster. A good teacher
won’t offend a student, her/his personal interests, tastes and religious
beliefs.
If a person is
safe and sound, if he works and studies in a secure premise, is loved and knows
where and why he belongs to the community, the members of which promote the
raise of his self-esteem and self-confidence, the final destination can be the
matter of self-actualization.
One Russian proverb says that a man should
fulfill three things in his life: 1) to plant a tree; 2) to build a house; and
3) to bring a son up. Apparently, we don’t require these points from our
students. First of all, a student’s self-actualization concerns his\her private
and academic life. The mission of our university sets a goal for the students
and teachers themselves – to develop leaders capable of renewing their nation.
According to work
experience there are two types of students: the first study for knowledge, the
second study for diploma only. The first rely only on themselves, their skills
and abilities, the latter think that their “poor” parents and good connections
may help them find a profitable work place and succeed in life. Both have got
and follow their goals, but only one is worth the candles. Need and work for
knowledge is the most difficult but the most rewarding. Implied efforts make
the fruits sweeter and tastier.
The result depends
on the goal, the most vital thing here is to know exactly what you want to
achieve. As I compared the teacher’s work with a burning candle, so I would
like to conclude that my students’ feedback and work full of effort make my
candle burn for a good purpose.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.
Academic Leader, Magna Publications, Madison, Wisc. Phone (800) 433-0499.
2.
Conway, John B. On Being a Department Head: A Personal View, American Mathematical
Society, 1996.
3.
Eble, Kenneth E. The Art of Administration, Jossey-Bass, 1978.
4.
Hecht, Irene W. D., Higgerson, Mary Lou, Gmelch, Walter H., and Tucker, Allan.
The Department Chair As Academic Leader, Oryx Press, 1999.
5.
Higgerson, Mary Lou. Communication Skills for Department Chairs, Anker Publishing,
1996.
К содержанию номера журнала: Вестник КАСУ №1 - 2012
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