EDUC 5373 Innovative Leadership: Blog 1

Hello all, 

My name is Haylee Cannon, and I currently teach 8th grade ELAR in Anna, TX. I genuinely love my job because my students always find new ways to bring joy and laughter to any situation. My main priority is to teach my students to think both critically and emphatically about their worlds and to replace an empty mind with an open mind. As our world becomes more and more technologically driven, it’s important educators are updating their practices to best support students. Being a leader in the use of technology is a key component to successfully implementing best practices. 


Stachowiak and McClay (2024) collected several interviews from leaders in education and asked them about their educational technology practices. In Jeff Jittenberger’s interview, he reflects on the fostering of emotional intelligence surrounding technology. He notes that self-awareness and communication skills are critical components to using technology effectively. As he came to a position of leadership, he elaborates on emotional intelligence being a critical component of both being a skilled leader and a skilled user of technology. He articulates, “I think it is absolutely essential because how effectively we use technology as a leader is very closely related to how we have cultivated our emotional intelligence competencies and applied them to our use of technology (Jittenberger, 2024). Being socially and emotionally aware of our technology use is a critical component of effective leadership. 


In the same manner, technology should be used to increase social and emotional awareness within students. Technology should be used as a tool to help students achieve a greater connection with others and with the world around them. Audrey Rule notes, “Technology in Education standards for teachers asks that teachers use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students” (Rule, 2006). These diverse needs can be identified as social, emotional, and developmental needs. Teaching students to use technology appropriately can help develop their social and emotional skills just like Jittenberger prioritizes. As educators, whether teaching children or leading adults, it’s important to use technology in a way that models best practice as Jittenberger and Rule explain. 


Jittenberger and Rule focus on the appropriate use of technology that aligns with ISTE Standard 3.1c: Model Inclusive Healthy Use. This standard focuses on increasing equity, inclusion, and digital citizenship by expecting that “Leaders model the use of technology in inclusive, healthy, ways to solve problems and strengthen community” (ISTE, 2025). By modeling technology use as a method of inclusion, Jittenberger creates an environment built on healthy and safe practices. In a similar manner, this offers continuous professional development by modeling appropriate practices. By modeling these concepts, issues that can arise will be decreased. An inability to be socially aware when using technology can create issues that fester and damage the working environment. Jittenberger comments, “A fire can be started really, really quickly…if emotional intelligence tools are not used…” (Jittenberger, 2024). Modeling is a key component of professional development, and this practice is crucial to both effective technology use and leadership. Modeling emotional intelligence and mutual respect are key goals of Jittenberger and Rule. Rule discusses how technology competencies are developed by modeling appropriate strategies and procedures (Rule, 2006). Modeling and professional development are both integral parts of educational technology being used to its full potential. 


As I strive to enter into a position of leadership within education, I am inspired by Jittenberger’s views on prioritizing empathy and relationship building.  Jittenberger places people at the forefront of his mission as he describes his passion for providing opportunities to people who wouldn’t otherwise have them. Building relationships and holding empathy for other people are crucial steps to effective leadership. These concepts are beneficial in modeling professional practices, emphasized by June, and Jittenberger’s focus on reducing conflict. Just as I hope my students will think critically and empathetically, I also will prioritize these ideals when in positions of leadership. Technology leadership, like all leadership, starts with effectively leading people and fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and equal opportunity.  


References 

3. Education leaders. (2024, July 15). ISTE. https://iste.org/standards/education-leaders

Bstachowiak, & McClay, J. (n.d.). Fostering emotional intelligence with and without technology. Pressbooks. https://pressbooks.pub/edd7032018f/chapter/fostering-emotional-intelligence-with-and-without-technology/

Rule, A. C. (2006). Editorial: The Components of Authentic Learning. Journal of Authentic Learning, 3, 1–10. https://digitallibrary.oswego.edu/content/SU/OS/00/00/26/00001/bitstream_78187.pdf

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