As one reflects on the term, “Educational Administration and Leadership,” it brings to mind the idea of the effective management of an institution and the director(s) role in it. However, it would be presumptuous of me not to consult with a dictionary for the meaning of the words, “administration” and “leadership” and use it as a premise for my discussion.
The Encarta Britannica defines administration as the service that is rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting the affairs of an office or place of employment. In other words, it is the management of the affairs of a business, organization, or institution. The Britannica also states that leadership, speaks to an organizational role which involves (1) establishing a clear vision, (2) sharing (communicating) that vision with others so that they will follow willingly, (3) providing the information, knowledge, and methods to realize that vision, and (4) coordinating and balancing the conflicting interests of all members or stakeholders.
Hence, the term, “Educational Administration and Leadership,” speaks to the ability of the directors of an institution becoming experts in areas of organizational leadership, decision-making, design and implementation of instruction and in addition focusing on student achievement, educational, organizational and operations management, human resource development, and community-building. Abraham Lincoln once said, “The whole is greater than the parts,” so I could look at Educational Administration and Leadership in two ways
When one heads an administration or is a part of an administration of an institution, there are certain roles and responsibilities that come with the job. Broadly speaking, educational administration and leadership entails education administrators setting educational standards and goals and establishing the policies and procedures to achieve them. They also supervise managers, counselors, support staff, librarians, teachers, coaches, and other employees. They...