[youtube height=”315″ width=”560″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMDaHryI3lY[/youtube]
HCISD Superintendent Dr. Steve Flores speaks to the importance of leadership for the January 2013 Superintendent’s Message. Leaders serve our community and district every day. They allow ideas to flourish in the 21st century. Discussed is a highlight of the leadership initiatives at HCISD and how our actions can further develop these skills.
Message:
It’s a new year, and with 2013 just beginning it brings opportunity for transformation. Not only in our classrooms but also with our students.
There are few wiser investments than in the leadership potential of our young people, and the teachers, staff and administration at HCISD work year around to cultivate and nourish our future pathfinders.
As an organization it’s important for us to development leadership capacity in our students, which can be seen in initiatives like Student Advisory Board, a group of 15 students from secondary campuses across HCISD, who meet once a month to collectively provide their input regarding issues on our campuses and Harlingen Rising Leaders. The unique program identifies ten students, who have displayed great potential for leadership, from each of our comprehensive high schools, and allows them to participate in a series of workshops aimed at further developing those skills.
These are only a couple of examples, because all students have the potential to become trailblazers in our school district, community and nation. As we continue moving forward in the development of our leaders, here are some findings to serve the future innovators, business moguls, educators and politicians of tomorrow.
The world needs more leaders; there is a leadership vacuum, not a surplus. Right now is the time to establish and advance as a trendsetter. It is the conducts of today that will help shape an individual’s actions and characteristics tomorrow.
Take advantage of every opportunity to progress leadership skills. Be active in organizations, and with students and community members. When gaining these experiences ask what impact will these actions make? What will be the lasting effects be?
Finally, look ahead and set expectations early on to help drive aspirations to the finishing point.
As a doctoral student at the University of Texas, I used a burnt orange tie in my motivation to keep working towards completing my education. I told myself I’d wear that tie on graduation day, and if there was ever a period of frustration, I’d look to that tie and see my finishing goal. When the effort is made to visualize the ending, everything done until that point is the means to reach an ultimate goal.
There are many different types of leadership that an individual can take part in, but the question is what will be done with the information received. Trailblazers drive innovation, and facilitate the ideas that flourish in the 21st century, so take what you’ve learned back to your campuses, organizations and communities and make a difference in your life, and the lives of those around you.
Thank you for your time and commitment to public education in our most outstanding community.
