When you are first appointed as Head of Curriculum/Department, you go from being ‘one of the guys/girls’ to a person in a solo role. One moment you are a ‘follower’ and the next, you are out front as the ‘leader’. It is a new feeling for you and you may feel isolated and wonder what you have gotten yourself into. Let me tell you, this is how most people feel.
Personally, it took me most of the first year to settle into the school and much longer to create an efficiently functioning department. It is true that I was in a large school of 1200 students where almost all of them did Mathematics. My faculty of 26 Mathematics teachers was spread across all the faculty rooms in the school. This made my initiation more challenging.
This article stems from my experiences of almost 16 years in the role of head of department (HOD). In recent years, I have been asked to present workshops on my role to newly appointed and aspiring HOD groups.
The success of my department was not based on what I alone contributed. It came about because I was able to develop a culture where I was a leader among leaders. That is the essence of what successful leadership is all about.
Part of being a successful leader is having a set of behaviors that enshrine what you see as your role. This can be in the form of your own mission statement.
Below is the one I presented to teachers in my workshops. I hope it gives you something to consider for yourself.
My mission statement as department head
I should:
• Provide quality service to my staff, students, and parents (ie, I must make things happen).
• Be an innovator and challenge my staff to innovate.
• Continue my own professional development (ie I must become a ‘catalyst’ for change, a guide to others and a mentor).
• Listen first, speak later (ie, be or become a powerful listener).
• Have short and long term goals (ie be a ‘change agent’ for the better).
• Share the load (ie, be a leader among leaders).
• Do it now, that is, be a doer. (If there is an issue to be resolved, work on it now)
Use this as a starting point to create your own mission statement. Keep a copy somewhere where you can see it often as a reminder of how you want your staff, parents, and students to see you.