1. Modeling
1.1. "Lead learner"--I will demonstrate my own personal, ongoing learning experiences as a principal or building administrator. This creates a positive environment that encourages ongoing learning.
1.2. Present knowledge--As a principal or admin, I will share knowledge and expertise with others. As a teacher this past year, I shared my own knowledge and expertise on GAFE with colleagues at in-services.
1.3. Share learning--As I discover new tools or interesting articles, I will share with staff and encourage discussion. This is especially related to emerging technology and ways to effectively use that new technology to enhance the classroom environment and student learning (ISTE 3d).
2. Empowering
2.1. Allow teachers to direct in-services, in part, or to determine what is to be learned at those in-services. Teachers would participate more actively if given the chance to dictate portions or most of the agenda at an in-service, as students demonstrate a greater interest when given choices for their learning.
2.2. Ask for teacher input, frequently. As a teacher, I've found that feeling like my voice isn't heard is one of the most frustrating experiences-.
3. Encouraging and Celebrating
3.1. Encourage risk-taking by letting teachers make choices about what they do in their classrooms. Too much control can stifle creativity.
3.2. Support teachers in the risks they take! Teachers aren't going to take risks if they don't feel that they will be supported by their administration--so demonstrate an interest in the risks teachers are taking and look for ways to help.
3.3. Highlight risk-takers who have seen success (even when minimal). Just as students need affirmation when something has gone well, so do teachers. Find an opportunity to commend teachers on successes at meetings or other venues in which their successes are highlighted publicly (or within a private group, beyond just that teacher).
4. Establishing Trust
4.1. Only communicate responsibly via social media or other outlets to establish trust and promote safe communication (ISTE 5c). Teachers will communicate with more critical thinking if they feel their thoughts are safe and private (when communicated privately.
4.2. Demonstrate trustworthiness by showing a vested interest in the success of each teacher. Teachers will be more willing to work with an administrator and trust that individual if they feel that the administrator has their best interests at heart.
5. Creating Culture
5.1. Develop a working environment steeped in meaningful technology through the use of social media and various other "fun-to-use" tech tools.
5.2. Encourage participation in local, national, and global professional learning communities online via Google+ or other platforms (ISTE 2e). In doing so, faculty members will be exposed to global thinking and expand their thinking horizons. Faculty members will bring more to the table with suggestions from "outside" the current teaching community, providing more ample choices.
6. Implementing the Strategies
6.1. Example 1
6.1.1. I will implement strategies as an administrator that will help me to develop a strong culture among colleagues. I will do so by creating a staff blog in which administration's visions for school technology use, or school updates, or even the school cafeteria can be shared, discussed, and reassessed as needed. This platform would ideally include all faculty and staff members and give everyone a "voice". This will also help me to establish trust and empower my team as they will be afforded the opportunity to aid in decision making and make their voices heard.
6.2. Example 2
6.2.1. Another way in which I will create an "excellent" professional environment for my staff is through the use of celebrations. My current principal has implemented a "celebrations" section within each staff meeting, and though sometimes the section falls flat, it is a great opportunity to recognize hard workers. Staff members will also have the opportunity to "celebrate" one another. This item encourages a good-natured familial environment that encourages colleagues to think of one another...and strive to be recognized for their good works.