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December 22, 2018
I’ve always loved this quote by John Quincy Adams,
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
Leadership isn’t a title; it is action.
It is an honor to introduce our guest blogger, Monica Spillman! Monica is an outstanding educator, incredibly talented sketchnoter, and inspiration to all she serves.
She recently designed gorgeous sketchnotes from Lead Like a PIRATE, and we were captivated by her visual reflections. In fact, we adored them so much that we housed them permanently under the “Book Resources” tab on this website leadlikeapirate.net. However, Monica’s talent doesn’t end there; this lady is an amazing leader. Check out her “image” of leadership. You’re sure to feel empowered.
My career as a teacher began as an assistant in a special education department. I was charged with helping a few primary age students throughout their day so that they could be successful. I was an assistant. I didn’t know it, but I was a leader. I “caught” the teacher bug from those years and went on to get my teaching certificate. The year that I graduated with my master’s degree and teaching certificate was a tough time for the district. There were very few new hires and I was blessed to attain a Pre-K teaching position. The next fall I was given a classroom of 22 four-year-olds and an assistant. Again, I never thought about it, but I was a leader. As the years have gone by I’ve changed positions, from Pre-K to special education and back to Pre-K. No matter the role, I always seek creative ways to grow and improve myself as an educator. Around 2015 I began to use Twitter much more for my educational growth. My feed was always showing me the amazing educational sketchnotes of Sylvia Duckworth. Again, I “caught” a bug, this time for sketchnoting. I’ve always been a doodler and now someone was telling me I could still doodle to learn as an adult AND other educators want to see it. Long story short, I began to sketchnote Teach Like a Pirate. With the encouragement and PASSION of Dave Burgess, those sketchnotes have been shared so many times by so many educators. My sketchnote reflections benefit me for sure, but such a bonus that others are using them for their professional learning as well.So, I decided I would sketchnote the “Like a Pirate Books”. But, wait. “Lead Like a Pirate” is for leaders. I couldn’t read that one. I’m just a teacher. I’m glad I didn’t let that stop me. The powerful takeaways declare that you ARE a leader if you have entered education. The questions of who, what, when, where, and how are the only difference. The journey of putting my takeaways into images and text through sketchnoting has brought me to believe I am a leader in my classroom. Therefore I will lead my Pre-K class Like A PIRATE! Arrgggg!
– Monica
Monica, thank you for sharing your “image” of leadership. Beautiful. We are honored to call you friend and stand in awe at your talent as well as your desire to “inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more” just as John Quincy Adams stated in the quote above.
Keep leading your Pre-K class Like a PIRATE, and please keep sketchnoting your reflections along your professional journey. We are all made better when you share your gifts with the world.
Follow Monica on Twitter @mospillman and check out her website bit.ly/mspillman.
