Book Description

A commitment to enhancing and developing leadership skills contributes to positioning Head Start as a central community institution for low-income children and their families. This guide, comprised of three training modules, is intended to help Head Start leaders refine and expand their skills and knowledge through a variety of training activities. Module 1, "Understanding Leadership," helps participants understand the meaning of effective Head Start leadership, allows them to explore how personal and organizational values are related to effective leadership, and introduces the MOVER model of the leadership behaviors of mentoring, engaging in outreach, committing to a shared vision, empowering others, and acting as a role model. Module 2, "Influencing Organizational Culture," focuses on techniques that extend leadership behaviors throughout the organization and demonstrates the impact of these behaviors on the organizational culture. Module 3, "Positioning Head Start for the Future," encourages participants to recognize the role that the program plays in the community, helps them to develop skills and behaviors for building or strengthening partnerships, and allows participants to enhance their abilities to envision the future and to communicate their visions within the context of the MOVER behaviors. Each module includes outcomes that are based on the guide outcomes, key concepts, and background information. The leadership journal and professional development plan are intended to help participants reflect on their experiences and develop leadership action plans. The final section of the guide is an annotated list of 50 print, organizational, and electronic resources. (Author/KB)