Leadership in Practice: Communication

Mission and vision statements are often associated with corporate environments, but they are equally important in educational institutions. A mission statement helps to define an organization’s purpose; it helps explain the what, why and how of the organization. A vision statement is aspirational; it helps explain where the organization wants to go. Together, mission and vision statements can serve as a roadmap for effective operations and culture within your school community. In this course, learners will explore several facets of school mission and vision statements: Their importance, collaborative methods of design, and effective ways to share the finalized statements with stakeholders in the community. Make your school's mission and vision a reality!

School leaders are often faced with challenging situations. When facing a challenge, leaders must communicate effectively, and often quickly, to develop a resolution to the issue. Developing communication strategies to address challenges with families, students, and teachers will help school leaders confront situations in a way that instills confidence and addresses problems while maintaining confidentiality. This course will present strategies to deal with challenging situations that occur with individuals, groups, or even situations that affect the entire school. Learners will explore communication strategies to help address and resolve challenges while maintaining as much transparency as possible.

For communication strategies to be effective in an educational environment, it’s essential for school leaders to develop and utilize a strong leader voice. Leading as yourself, even if leaning on others for inspiration, is essential in developing your voice as a school leader. In this course, learners will explore strategies for developing their leader voice, and how they can use it to inspire, encourage, motivate, and support their school community. Guiding your school with a strong leader voice can help instill trust and confidence in your leadership abilities, support the development of strong relationships with school community members, and contribute to your school’s overall success.

Establishing a successful overall communication strategy in a school community ensures everyone receives the information they need. When developing a communication strategy, school leaders must consider a variety of stakeholders, including students, teachers, staff, administrators, family members, and the community at large. Developing a plan that accounts for different types of communication, varied schedules, and consistent platforms helps members of the school community know what to expect. In this course, learners will review different methods of communication, explore strategies to meet the communication needs of different stakeholders, and examine potential pitfalls. Learners will develop a plan to improve the school’s communication strategy to meet everyone’s needs.