Scholar Practitioner to Lead Evaluation Initiatives
One of the top role that I have as a scholar practitioner is to educate my stakeholders on the importance, the use and the benefits of doing program evaluations. Helping everyone understand the purpose is a very important step to having them participate. “Teachers impact children’s experiences directly by their daily actions in the classroom, but center directors impact children’s development and learning by structuring the conditions that support teacher effectiveness” (Bloom & Able, 2015). Not only for teachers, but for all stakeholders, they are more willing to participate if they feel that they are supported and involved. Just simply letting them know how program evaluation affects us is different than actually showing it to them. Walking them through the process, showing how different aspects work and providing a data story or visuals can always help.
Barrier To Avoid
It can sometimes be hard to understand others' situations or the circumstances they are caught in. . A barrier to avoid is being biased or prejudiced about others who do not want to be involved. We all have our point of view and prioritize. Kallemeyn, and Phillips, found that administrators who have a more flexible definition of parent involvement tend to have more positive views of parents and perceive higher levels of involvement (Bloom & Able, 2015). It is important to know that not everyone is free and is willing to be involved. What is important is to know how we can integrate other’s schedules to our evaluation process, which is accommodation.
To Minimize this Barrier
As a leader it is always important to keep an open mind about everything and everyone. “Inspirational leaders demonstrate that they care about others, first, for who they are and, second, for what they can do. In other works, exemplary leaders regard others first as “human beings,” rather than as “human doings” (Baker, 2014). It is important to consider that not everyone will be okay with the way we provide our evaluation process for some many reasons. It is important to understand how to accommodate other, similar to understanding their different diversities, cultures and even language.
Reference
Baker, E. L. (2014). Leadership and Management—Guiding Principles, Best Practices, and Core Attributes. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 20(3), 356–357. https://doi.org/10.1097/phh.0000000000000063
Bloom, P.J., & Able, M.B. (2015). Expanding the lens—Leadership as an organizational asset. Young Children, 70(2) https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2015/expanding-the-lens
