Leadership and Administration in Education Essay Example

Leadership and Administration in Education Essay Example Leadership and Administration in Education Essay Leadership and Administration in Education Essay Leadership and Administration in Education Name: Course: Date: Leadership and Administration in Education Administrative Changes The financial administrator was taking a lot of time in processing students’ financial balances and the secretary was making major errors in her work. These and the continued poor performance of the school in district assessments prompted me to introduce some changes in the organization. The first change that I sought to implement was to introduce penalties for employees showing laxity in their duties. These rules, I reckoned, would ensure employees worked harder despite the fact that I faced major challenges in their implementation. There were various ethical, human relations and legal concerns relating to these new changes. Ethical Issues Ethics is an inherent attribute founded on the beliefs of a particular community (Starrat, 2003, p.144). Administering the penalties on errant members of staff was the responsibility of the human resources assistant. The school however refrained from handing stiff penalties and rather concentrated on an arbitration process. Arbitration for first time offenders had a general positive effect on the workers and they started posting a higher performance (Palestini, 2005). Arbitration also saved on the time that would have been incurred in managing the penalties handed out to offenders. Human Relations There was visible opposition from the workers during the initial stages of the program understandably due as the employees were afraid of the new rules. The reception of the changes was poor. Apparently, they could not accommodate the new system to its required specifications. It was a tough choice for the administration considering the good relationship it had with its workers. However, as time went by and through the arbitration process workers understood their responsibilities and avoided problems with the administration. Legal Issues Due to the new changes introduced, some workers had to be relieved of some duties and those duties handed to others. This change of job descriptions posed a potential legal hurdle to the institution. Possible areas of litigation would have been the potential loss of income for some of the employees (Begley Leonard, 2005). There is also a potential risk that embittered employees might file a suit against the institution, but we held talks with employees and made some salary reviews in line with the responsibility changes. These talks helped avert the legal hurdles posed by the changes in the system. References Begley, P. T., Leonard, P. E. (2005). The values of educational administration. London: Taylor Francis e-Library. Palestini, R. H. (2005). Educational administration: Leading with mind and heart. Lanham, Md: Rowman Littlefield Education. Starratt, R. J. (2003). Centering educational administration: Cultivating meaning, community, responsibility. Mahwah, N.J: L. Erlbaum Associates. Educational Leaders and Change Leadership Roles Educational administrators have several roles to play in effecting change in an organization. Most administrators’ roles focus on decision-making, information processing and interpersonal contact (Hord, 1992). Second, they must be well skilled in management, show visionary leadership and have respect for their workers. In addition, such leaders must be proactive, risk taking and facilitators of internal communication and symphony (Mendez-Morse 1992). An administrative leader facilitates the organizational processes through his/her outstanding example. Administrator as an Entrepreneur An administrative entrepreneur endeavors to change an organization by identifying a problem and finding solutions to the problem. An educational administrator should act as an entrepreneur as he or she governs the organization to make positive strides as any successful business would. Entrepreneur administrators generate ideas that increase collaboration between employees and management. Entrepreneurs focus on the value of the product delivered to the market (Davies, 2005, p.152). They thus find new and efficient ways to boost the performance of the staff in order to provide quality services to the students. Administrator as an Organizer Organizer administrators carry out their duties in a structured, systematic way focusing on policy, process and people (Davies 2005). Organizing will entail enhancing processes to increase human relations and utilize the skills of his subordinates to their full potential. The administrative organizer seeks ways to improve organizational systems to increase co-ordination among workers. Creating a structured decision-making process that encompasses all organizational units. Organizers focus on efficient and standard organizational processes that have the potential of improving the overall output of the organization. Administrator as an Instructional Leader An effective leader has greater communication skills and values worker’s contributions in a bid to inspire individuals and effect change according to the goals of the institution (Mendez-Morse 1992). The administrator with instructional leadership endeavors to maintain a good relationship with his/her employees. Communication and instruction are of significant importance in maintaining good relationships with staff members. The instructional leader aspires to interact with employees in an understanding manner. Through instruction and understandable dialogue the administrator guides employees in understanding critical organizational issues and processes. References Davies, B. (2005). The essentials of school leadership. London: Paul Chapman Pub. Corwin Press. Hord, S. M. (1992). Facilitative Leadership: The Imperative for Change. Retrieved from sedl.org/change/facilitate/ Mendez-Morse, S. (1992). Leadership Characteristics that Facilitate School Change. Retrieved from sedl.org/change/leadership/welcome.html

Hawaiian Monk Seal Facts

Hawaiian Monk Seal Facts Most seals live in icy waters, but the Hawaiian monk seal makes its home in the warm Pacific Ocean around Hawaii. The Hawaiian monk seal is one of only two current monk seal species. The other current species is the Mediterranean monk seal, while the Caribbean monk seal was declared extinct in 2008. Native Hawaiians call the seal ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, which means dog that runs in rough water. The monk seals scientific name, Neomonachus schauinslandi, honors German scientist Hugo Schauinsland, who discovered a monk seal skull on Laysan Island in 1899. Fast Facts: Hawaiian Monk Seal Scientific Name: Neomonachus schauinslandi  Common Names: Hawaiian monk seal, Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua (dog that runs in rough water)Basic Animal Group: MammalSize: 7.0-7.5 feetWeight: 375-450 poundsLife Span: 25-30 yearsDiet: CarnivorousHabitat: Pacific Ocean around the Hawaiian IslandsPopulation: 1,400Conservation Status: Endangered Description The monk seal gets its common name for the short hairs on its head, which are said to resemble those of a stereotypical monk. It is earless and lacks the ability to turn its hind flippers under its body. The Hawaiian monk seal is distinguishable from the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) by its slender body, gray coat, and white belly. It also has black eyes and a short whiskered snout. Habitat and Distribution Hawaiian monk seals live in the Pacific Ocean around the Hawaiian Islands. Most of the breeding populations occur in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, although monk seals are also found in the main Hawaiian Islands. The seals spend two-thirds of their time at sea. They haul-out to rest, molt, and give birth. Diet and Behavior The Hawaiian monk seal is a reef carnivore that preys on bony fish, spiny lobster, eels, octopus, squid, shrimp, and crabs. Juveniles hunt during the day, while adults hunt at night. Monk seals usually hunt in water ranging from 60-300 feet deep, but have been known to forage below 330 meters (1000 feet). Monk seals are hunted by tiger sharks, Galapagos sharks, and great white sharks. Reproduction and Offspring Hawaiian monk seals mate in the water between June and August. In some breeding colonies, there is a much higher number of males than females, so mobbing of females occurs. Mobbing can lead to injuries or death, further skewing the sex ratio. Gestation takes about nine months. The female monk seal gives birth on the beach to a single pup. While they are solitary animals, females have been known to care for pups born to other seals. Females stop eating during nursing and remain with the pups. At the end of six weeks, the mother leaves the pup and returns to the sea to hunt. Females reach maturity around age 4. Researchers are not certain of the age at which males become mature. Hawaiian monk seals can live 25 to 30 years. While nursing, a female seal stops eating and remains with her pup. Thessa Bugay / FOAP / Getty Images Threats Hawaiian monk seals face numerous threats. Natural threats include habitat reduction and degradation, climate change, skewed gender ratios, and low juvenile survival rates. Human hunting has resulted in extremely low genetic diversity within the species. Monk seals die from entanglement in debris and fishing gear. Introduced pathogens, including toxoplasmosis from domestic cats and leptospirosis from humans, have infected some seals. Even minimal human disturbance causes seals to avoid beaches. Overfishing has led to reduced prey abundance and increased competition from other apex predators. Conservation Status The Hawaiian monk seal is a conservation-reliant endangered species. This status indicates that human intervention is essential to the monk seals survival, even if its population becomes self-sustaining. According to the IUCN Red List, only 632 mature individuals were identified on the species last assessment in 2014. In 2016, there was an estimated total of 1,400 Hawaiian monk seals. Overall, the population is in decline, but the smaller population of seals living around the main Hawaiian islands is growing. Disturbing a Hawaiian monk seal is illegal. Violators face a hefty fine. Teresa Short / Getty Images The Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk Seal aims to save the species by increasing awareness of the seals plight and intervening on its behalf. The plan includes increased monitoring of seal population, vaccination programs, dietary supplementation, protecting pups, and relocation of some animals to better habitats. Hawaiian Monk Seals and Humans In 2008, the monk seal was designated the state mammal of Hawaii. The animals sometimes haul-out onto beaches that may be frequented by tourists. This is normal behavior. Seal and other marine mammals are protected, so while it may be tempting to get close to take a picture, this is prohibited. Take photos from a safe distance and be sure to keep dogs far away from the seal. Sources Aguirre, A.; T. Keefe; J. Reif; L. Kashinsky; P. Yochem. Infectious disease monitoring of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 43 (2): 229–241, 2007. doi:10.7589/0090-3558-43.2.229Gilmartin, W.G. Recovery plan for the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1983.Kenyon, K.W. and D.W. Rice. Life History Of the Hawaiian Monk Seal. Pacific Science. 13, July, 1959.Perrin, William F.; Bernd Wursig; J. G. M. Thewissen. Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Academic Press. p. 741, 2008. ISBN 978-0-12-373553-9.  Schultz, J. K.; Baker J; Toonen R; Bowen B Extremely Low Genetic Diversity in the Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi). Journal of Heredity. 1. 100 (1): 25–33, 2009. doi:10.1093/jhered/esn077