Question 1

What type of frame is most commonly used by leaders in your educational system? Why?

Although I believe it is imperative to blend all four frames in order to have a successful system, after completing the readings, taking part in the class discussion and the activity, I believe the human resource frame is the most commonly used in our system.

As teachers and leaders we are here to serve people, be it students or parents. Relationship building and sustaining are key in order for schools to be successful. This must not only take place between colleagues, but between students:teachers, educators:parents, schools:communities, etc. When the lines of communication are open, possibilities are endless.

One focus of our district is on customer service which fits nicely into the human resource framework. We must consistently work to satisfactorily meet the needs of those we serve and maintain a positive perception from the community standpoint. On page 21, the text notes that "the human resource lens emphasizes understanding people, their strengths and foibles, reason and emotion, desires and fears." This definition adequately describes the mission of many school systems, schools and individual classrooms.

The leadership component of the HR frame is that of empowerment. In the educational system, this must occur on all levels, from the top-down and bottom up. Employees, students, leaders, etc. must consistently work together to achieve goals and meet/exceed expectations.