What 21st Century Leadership in Career and Technical Education Should Look Like

When speaking of educational leadership today there are many characteristics of leadership that are needed that perhaps were not necessary five, ten, or fifteen years ago. Technology’s impact on how students learn and how teachers teach has had educational leadership think about more innovative ways in which to prepare, deliver, and assess curriculum. It is necessary now to empower our teachers as they are in the trenches and to lead in a way that that reflects unconditional positive regard through relationships. Trust and love take the place of power and fear in order for employees to buy into educational reform and it’s important for them to know that they are in the forefront of change and are key agents of change. It is equally as imperative for today’s CTE leaders to stay abreast of current and future trends in business and industry and to encourage technical educators to stay current in their professional and trade areas as well as in pedagogy.