Think about the people who have been inspirational in your working and learning life. Were they mentors who you engaged with on a regular basis? Were they other staff members? Were they leaders in your school? List the attributes that made them effective leaders.

When reflecting on my teaching journey thus far (four and a half years in total), I can think of three teachers who  inspired me and shaped me within my working and learning life.

The first, was my supervisor for my final pre-service teaching practicum. This person has been a teacher for close to 60 years and had taught in a low-socioeconomic schools for a solid 20 of them. She worked with me closely for ten weeks, mentoring me in good professional practice and modelling to me how to build strong community connections. This teacher wasn’t a formal leader (not an AP or executive staff), but was recognised due to their senior-status as a valuable member of staff. The attributes they demonstrated were: professionalism, strong communication, empathy and a visibility in the wider school community. This teacher has since retired.

The second teacher who has inspired me, is an assistant principal at my current school. Much like the teacher before, this AP inspired me through modelling correct practice, demonstrating her experienced programming and data collection methods, but mostly for the way she invests in student wellbeing. The attributes this teacher demonstrates are: instructional leadership, professionalism, a strong understanding of curriculum and department requirements, the ability to share her skills with others through PD and a willingness to utilise other staff members and their expertise when necessary,  and lastly her ability to understand the context of her students (their abilities, family life, status, religion, etc).

The final teacher who has inspired me, was my supervisor for the past two years, and the woman who encouraged me to become a Teacher Librarian. This teacher, who is now a Principal, was an AP, year advisor and the Teacher Librarian at the time of my supervision. This teacher inspired me to embrace my students at all levels of their educational journey, engage in strong professional development, the importance of 21st century tools and innovation, be an active advocate for libraries, reading and literacy, and most importantly guided me through completing my accreditation. The attributes this teacher demonstrates are: transformational leadership, a student-centred approach, providing PD for all staff members to grow and challenge them, a passion for 21st century change, advocating the importance of the library and assisting other members of staff to maintain accreditation.

I hope that my leadership styles, TL responsibilities, and teacher, student and community relationships, encourage and inspire others to achieve and grow, just as my mentors have for me.