Powerful rivers begin as small trickles, wending their way down mountains, at first drop by drop. When the droplets converge they gather strength; movement that is at first imperceptible to our senses becomes audible in its downward cascade - sometimes deafening. At first, water must find its way around the many obstacles in its path; eventually, it shapes the landscape around it.
Ideas become reality in much the same way; a thought emerges first as a lone droplet, and grows through contact with others. In the fall of 2014 a couple school administrators - who had connected through Twitter - decided to use the Voxer app as a way to share and discuss professional readings. The first name for this small group was "Leadership Book Club." After a few earnest attempts to get started, it became evident that there wasn't the time or capacity to do that kind of serious reading on top of jobs, families, and the many rapids of life.
There was, however, a deep desire to continue to grow the small stream of ideas as a source of nourishment, inspiration, and growth - both professional and personal. As this group expanded, it began to understand that a singular focus was too narrow; the collective curiosity, experience, passion for learning and commitment to shaping the educational landscape of the future was too strong. The name this group eventually came to adopt reflects the spirit of the untamed river - a place where life flourishes, where new trickles of water join and expand the collective force of our forward movement:
#LeadWild.
LeadWild is a state of mind and a way of being. Powerful educational leadership does not come from a title, rather from the connections we make between people and ideas, the strength we help others find in themselves, and an incessant commitment to pushing forward through stagnant, comfortable tradition.
What does it mean to #LeadWild? Our growing stream of school an district leaders answers below in our inaugural post; our first droplet of water in a growing stream of thought, action, reflection, experimentation, and innovation.
#leadwild is a growth mindset that transcends schools, districts and counties. It's about going bigger, faster, weirder.
— jcorippo (@jcorippo) April 19, 2015
#LeadWild - establish a space & create time to be vulnerable & share/reflect w/others in a deep/meaningful way so I can better serve others
— Kenneth Durham (@PrincipalDurham) April 19, 2015
Connecting as we grow, learn, innovate, empower, impact, & change education as a team = #leadwild
— Jodi Moskowitz (@JodiMos) April 19, 2015
#LeadWild means taking risks. Risks to grow, risks to share, and risks to change who you are as a school leader.
— Riley Johnson (@rmjohnson45) April 19, 2015
#leadwild Every day I am INSPIRED. Supported. Challenged. Connected. People I've never met have changed my life, my path, & made me smile.
— Jennifer Kloczko (@jkloczko) April 19, 2015
#leadwild is about expanding capacity and personal, organizational boundaries through discovery learning and openness to experience.
— David Culberhouse (@DCulberhouse) April 19, 2015
#leadwild (ers) focus energy on people, not program. Reflective, creative, innovative leaders who make ideas realities.
— Rebecca Davis (@mrsdavisjw) April 19, 2015
#leadwild is the ability, willingness to not recoil in the face of uncertainty and unknowns brought on by the turbulence, chaos of change.
— David Culberhouse (@DCulberhouse) April 19, 2015
#leadwild is all about raising hell and bringing people along with you for the ride! If you can’t get wild as a learner, what are you doing?
— Riley Johnson (@rmjohnson45) April 19, 2015
#leadwild is about changing education, connecting, expanding and doing what is right for students!
— Emily Dunnagan (@egdunnagan) April 19, 2015
It's ALL abt "yes, and..." for #leadwild It's connections, new ideas, stretching beyond status quo, learning & challenging existing ideas.
— Catina Haugen (@chaugen) April 19, 2015
How can one even describe #leadwild?! Hurricane-like strength, fiery flames, provocative questions, risky answers, passionate teamwork.
— Amy Fadeji (@mrsfadeji) April 19, 2015
@rmjohnson45 @jkloczko: to #leadwild=connecting, pushing boundaries, iterating, reflecting, failing, learning to make edu better 4 Ss
— Anne SchaeferSalinas (@APannie7) April 19, 2015
@rmjohnson45 Model and create an environment where risk taking by all stakeholders is encouraged, recognized and rewarded. #leadwild
— Joe Sanfelippo (@Joesanfelippofc) April 19, 2015
#LeadWild = create a climate of possibilities, risk-taking, creativity, and "yes" answers to trying new things for Ts and Ss @rmjohnson45
— Jonathan Eagan (@coacheagan) April 19, 2015
@rmjohnson45 to me #leadwild=an intellectually stimulating space where ideas collide spurring innovation through an open & trusting dialogue
— Jason Markey (@JasonMMarkey) April 19, 2015
#leadwild is refusing to be limited by what we know & can see; it is standing firm in beliefs but seeking what is possible. It is FOR kids.
— Kathy A. Melton (@kathyamelton) April 19, 2015
Your involvement requires evolvement... Necessitates a 'learner' mindset. #leadwild
— David Culberhouse (@DCulberhouse) April 19, 2015
#LeadWild is a thought laboratory; we share, experiment & learn to shape our #EduFuture. Support/Challenge/Inspire: 3 pillars to one ethos.
— Eric Saibel (@ecsaibel) April 19, 2015
IMO, #LeadWild means walking confidently in the direction of change while knowing that no single one of us has all the answers.
— Travis Phelps (@TravisPhelps80) April 20, 2015
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