Pedagogical Critiques of King, Arendt, and Rancière
Leadership in education isn’t just a job for principals and administrators—it’s something every teacher carries with them, whether we realize it or not. As teachers, we are in the trenches every day, shaping minds, guiding students, and creating the environment where learning happens. This course on Educational Leadership for Teachers invites us to explore the ways we lead from exactly where we are—and how we can be more intentional in that role.
We lead when we make decisions that affect our classrooms, when we collaborate with colleagues to improve practices, and when we inspire students to think beyond the textbook. Leadership, as Arendt lectures, is not about being extreme—it’s about finding that middle ground, that balance between excess and deficiency. This course will help you develop that balance, leading with virtue, emotional clarity, and sound judgment even when challenges arise.
We’ll explore meaningful lessons, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s challenge to have moral courage—reminding us that real leadership often requires us to question the system and take a stand, even when it’s tough. We’ll also engage with Hannah Arendt’s ideas about the need to think deeply and act intentionally. Because true leadership isn’t just about action—it’s about reflecting on what we do, understanding our reasons, and considering the impact our actions have on others. It’s about thinking and reasoning. It’s about thoughtfullness not thoughtlessness. It’s about change.
This lecture is about embracing leadership as an extension of who we already are as teachers. It’s not about adding more to your plate but about seeing the ways you are already leading and becoming more deliberate in those moments. You’ll explore practical ways to:
- Lead with purpose, both in your classroom and with your colleagues.
- Make decisions that reflect your values and what’s best for students.
- Foster leadership in your students, helping them become thinkers and changemakers.
- Challenge outdated practices and influence positive change in your school community.
Leadership isn’t always about big gestures—it’s found in the small, thoughtful choices we make every day. This lecture will focus your intentions, awaken your empathetic self, and foster the confidence to challenge the status quo, to lead with confidence, clarity, equality, and care. If you believe, like I do, that teaching is more than just delivering lessons, that it’s about guiding others toward growth and transformation, then this course is for you. Because real change starts with us.
Lecture Series Schedule & Subject matter (typical)
Introduction to Educational Leadership
- Definition and scope of leadership in education.
- Distinguishing between management and leadership.
- The impact of leadership on school culture and student success.
Philosophical Underpinnings of Leadership
- Virtue
- Plato
- Socrates and Meno
The Role of Ethics in Leadership
- Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics: Practical application in leadership.
- Developing emotional intelligence and moral reasoning.
Learning from Historical Leaders:
- Martin Luther King Jr.: Advocating for justice and equality in leadership.
- Discussion: Balancing values, policies, and actions in educational leadership.
Thinking as a Leadership Tool
- Hannah Arendt’s Concept of Thinking: Thoughtfulness vs. thoughtlessness.
- Making conscious, informed decisions that challenge complacency.
Case Study Analysis
- Explore real-world dilemmas in education where reflection is crucial.
- How to engage in critical self-reflection and avoid “following the status quo.”
Aristotle on Risk and Responsibility
- How leaders take measured risks for meaningful outcomes.
- Developing resilience and handling resistance in educational settings.
Challenging the Status Quo
- Case study: King’s opposition to the Vietnam War as intellectual courage.
- Encouraging teachers to foster innovation and challenge outdated practices.
Practicing Virtue-Based Leadership Daily
- Building character in students and staff.
- Creating policies and systems rooted in virtue ethics.
Leading by Example
- Encouraging teachers to be role models of integrity, empathy, and reflection.
- Cultivating leadership in students to nurture future leaders.
Transformational Leadership Concepts
- Moving beyond transactional leadership towards transformation.
- King’s vision of peaceful change and inspiring change agents in education.
Building a Leadership Legacy
- Teachers as long-term influencers: Creating sustainable practices.
- Empowering future educators and leaders.
- Synthesize the lessons learned from Aristotle, King, and Arendt.
- Reinforce the importance of conscious leadership decisions.
- Encourage teachers to embody thoughtful, virtuous, and transformative leadership.
Training and Professional Development
- Embedding leadership training in school curricula.
- Encouraging peer mentoring and collaborative leadership among teachers.
- Assessing Leadership Growth
- Self-assessment tools for reflection and growth in leadership.
- Creating feedback loops within the educational community.