Here's how you can become an influential leader in your field as an educator.

No one should have influence without information. Keep yourself informed of current research and trends in education by engaging in regular professional learning and applying your new knowledge in your practice. As you gain experience and share your knowledge with others, you your sphere of influence will grow.

After diving into the latest educational research and attending a series of professional development workshops, I transformed my classroom with innovative teaching methods, sparking unprecedented enthusiasm and success among my students. Sharing these techniques with my colleagues not only elevated our entire school's performance but also positioned me as a trusted leader and resource within our educational community.

By actively participating in online educational forums and local teacher associations, I exchanged innovative ideas and collaborated on impactful projects with my peers, enriching our teaching practices. This engagement not only broadened my perspective but also strengthened our professional network, fostering a supportive and dynamic educational community.

Ultimately, all learning is social. There is always some sort of interaction with an individual, idea, or information. As a result, the relationships that you foster make a big difference in your learning and teaching potential. In the classroom, competition must be only a tool to grow learning for everyone. Learning is not competitive, but cooperative!

Wherever you are in your journey, you have something to share that might help someone. Your life changes when you shift from being a consumer of content to a producer of one. Take the risk, open the canva account, and share your ideas either the world. If you’re waiting for your sign, this is it!

Being a leader is privilege and although I believe that we all lead as educators, one of the most important things I find in my role is the opportunity to give power to and power with others, rather than power over. Values drive action so the ability to align these is with a school is essential and remembering that we nurture the adults we work with as much as the children enables us to prioritize humanity and the world around us. Ultimately acknowledging the huge role of wellbeing, relationships and the creative as being as important and necessary as the academic in a world that is ever changing keeps a vision clear.

After writing a series of blog posts on innovative teaching strategies and presenting at several educational conferences, I noticed a significant increase in engagement and collaboration among my peers. By sharing my insights, I not only positioned myself as an authority in the field but also inspired fellow educators to adopt and adapt these strategies, leading to a collective improvement in our teaching practices.

Mentoring new teachers at our school allowed me to share my experiences and best practices, helping them navigate their first years with confidence and enthusiasm. By fostering reflective practice and encouraging innovative approaches, I saw them grow into effective educators, ensuring the continued rise of high standards and impactful teaching in our community.

Embracing a culture of innovation in my classroom, I integrated immersive learning technologies and experimented with student-centered pedagogies, sparking renewed engagement and deeper learning among my students. By advocating for progressive educational reforms and sharing successful outcomes with colleagues, I've encouraged a broader adoption of innovative practices across our school community. Embracing change has not only enhanced student outcomes but also positioned me as a catalyst for educational evolution, inspiring others to embrace innovation in their teaching.

Strive for Perspective One thing I find very helpful is to keep reevaluating what went well. This gives one perspective on what to keep in your program (or life:), and what to modify or discard.

Regularly engaging in reflective practice has been transformative in refining my teaching methods and leadership strategies. By carefully assessing feedback from colleagues and students, I've identified areas for improvement while also celebrating successes. This ongoing self-reflection not only enhances my ability to meet the evolving needs of my students but also strengthens my role as a responsive and adaptive educational leader. It's through reflective practice that I continue to grow both professionally and personally, ensuring I remain effective in guiding positive change within our educational community.

Cultivating reflective practices belongs at the top of this list! Beyond ensuring that we will wield our influence for good, reflection allows us to frame our mistakes as opportunities for growth and pushes us to remain aligned with our core values. In particular, practicing and communicating gratitude will enable us to strengthen relationships with all school constituents, a reflective act that benefits our communities while providing powerful self-protection against burnout.

I have found much of this practical advice to be true in my own career, but I don’t believe most influential leaders set out to be influential leaders. Lasting, transformative influence is a by-product of demonstrated success and strategic networking, not for the sake of oneself, but for the flourishing of others.