Women Federation members keen to be better leaders attended the Centre for Professional Learning’s newest course, Women in leadership: Examining Leadership Skills, Capacity and Context, on 1 April.
Participants — ranging from classroom teacher to principal — walked away from the course with strategies to further their leadership aspirations and a strong sense that there is no time like the present to seek out leadership moments and believe in yourself.
Participants considered their current leadership styles, legacies and career aspirations.
They reviewed a set of leadership quotes and then shared their favourite and why it was meaningful to them.
Reassuring and supportive presenters
Members heard from four educational leaders with diverse experiences and leadership styles, who outlined their leadership journeys within the Department of Education.
They quickly sought to nip any thoughts of imposter syndrome in the bud.
“You would not be in leadership roles if you weren’t already leading,” former high school principal Lila Mularczyk told participants.
Kylie Hedger — principal at Elizabeth Macarthur High School — encouraged the emerging teacher leaders to say ‘yes’ to opportunities and to back themselves.
“Some of my best experiences were when I forced myself to say ‘yes’,” Kylie said.
“If you don’t think you are ready, you are ready and just work until you are.”
Educational leaders shared their wisdom
Campsie Public School principal Berlinda Cook recommended leaders nurture and utilise enthusiasm, strengths and talent within their team for the collective good.
Jennifer Mace — formerly a deputy principal — said the lessons she’s learned about leadership are deeply rooted in human connection.
“Leadership is less about authority and more about influence, empathy and collaboration,” she said. “Embracing these lessons not only enriches my life but also empowers those around me to reach their fullest potential.”
Jennifer also spoke in depth about five points she’d wished she’d understood earlier about leadership:
- the importance of emotional intelligence
- communication is key
- lead by example
- the value of collaboration and inclusivity
- the necessity of self-care and resilience.
Lila said leadership was about having a voice and allowing others to also have a voice.
She also encouraged cultivating a “sphere of influence” with every interaction. “Every interaction has an impact,” Lila said.
Kylie spoke in favour of distributed leadership. “Collaborative, collective efficacy is what is going to make a difference,” she said. “All the evidence shows you that schools that have high social capital — where staff work together — get better outcomes for kids.”
“You can have the best teacher with the highest human capital but that one good teacher helps 30 kids,” Kylie said.
“A school that works together helps 1405 kids — that best practice is distributed across all.”
She also pointed out that research shows teacher advocacy is what gives teachers strength and resilience.
“Advocacy and efficacy are the two building blocks of strong teachers and strong leadership, which is exactly what distributive and collaborative leadership introduces, so if you’re someone who likes to work in teams, never see that as a weakness. It’s a strength. It’s what’s going to build better outcomes for the kids.”
How to ride out mistakes
Presenters also addressed the thorny sides of leadership — failure, struggle and criticism — and how to mitigate them.
Address barriers to leadership
Among suggestions for overcoming hurdles, Kylie recommended aspiring teacher leaders should find a mentor. “When you form a connection with someone who can empower you [and] makes you see what you have inside, it’s all-powerful,” she said.
Ask the presenters session
While members asked questions during the various presentations, a panel session gave members a dedicated opportunity to ask their burning questions before they left for the day.
Comments from course participants
- “The course has empowered me to pursue my leadership aspirations.”
- “The whole course was extremely valuable. The case studies were real, raw and inspiring.”
- “The advice was practical and easy to apply.”
Course to be offered again
The course will be offered again on 27 May at the Australian Education Union ACT Branch, Level 1/71 Leichhardt St, Kingston (Canberra).
Broad course and conference offerings
The Centre for Professional Learning offers a range of high quality, research-based professional learning in a range of curriculum and pedagogical areas. Click here for the full list of courses and dates.
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