2026 Conference Archive
Leading With Positivity Where You Are
First Presenter's Highest Degree Earned
PhD
Year First Presenter's Degree Was Awarded
2009
First Presenter's Field of Study
Instructional Leadership
Institution Where First Presenter Received Highest Degree
University of Alabama
First Presenter's Institution
Holt High School
First Presenter's Brief Bio and Description of Credentials for This Presentation
I have worked in secondary eduction since 2003 as an English teacher and an administrator. I have been the principal at Holt High School since 2022 and work with an amazing team of people. I have twelve years of experience as an administrator.
Location
Scarbrough 4
Document Type
Individual Presentation
Primary Strand
School and District Leadership
Relevance to Primary Strand
Schools have multiple levels of leadership throughout all levels of personnel. Leading with positivity is important because it creates a culture that is built on valuing others. Most importantly, leaders have to be authentic in order to create bonds to others. Positive leadership is based on the belief that we are able to increase our productivity and overall success in schools when we walk beside one another. This presentation will explore the role that positivity starts first with the individual and then able to impact others.
Alignment with School Improvement Plan Topics
Leadership / Development
Brief Program Description
This session encourages participants to recognize the purpose behind their roles in education and to embrace the power of leading with positivity. Leadership exists at every level within a school, and each person has the ability to influence students and colleagues in meaningful ways. Together, we will explore how leading for the right reasons can strengthen your impact and elevate the educational experience for everyone in 2026 and beyond.
Summary
Effective leadership in education begins with a deep and realistic understanding of yourself: your strengths, your challenges, and the way you present yourself to others. Every role within a school community has a leadership component, whether you are an administrator, a teacher, a counselor, a support staff member, or a student. Each individual contributes to the climate and culture of the school, and recognizing this influence is essential for leading with intention and purpose. This session will help participants reflect on their personal leadership identity and consider how self-awareness shapes their interactions and decision-making.
Building positive leadership requires more than good intentions; it involves establishing honest, authentic relationships rooted in trust and respect. Throughout the session, participants will examine how their personal histories and experiences influence their leadership style, how understanding future goals can guide their trajectory, and how navigating space, time, and changing circumstances contributes to effective leadership. We will also discuss the importance of managing stress, embracing lessons learned from failure, and recognizing what can and cannot be changed within a school system.
Ultimately, positive leadership depends on the ability to create strength with others by valuing who they are, acknowledging their contributions, and fostering an environment where collaboration thrives. By the end of this session, participants will be better equipped to lead with clarity, empathy, and authenticity, making a meaningful impact on their school communities.
Evidence
The administrative team has used this approach over the past four years to create a culture that has developed positive changes at all levels of the school. The school has seen an increase in the overall school climate based on annual surveys. Faculty retention has increased and the school has once again become a desirable school to work in.
Learning Objective 1
create a plan for leading with positivity.
Learning Objective 2
understand what aspects of their jobs they can control.
Learning Objective 3
create connection to other leaders in your school and/or organization.
Start Date
6-1-2026 10:15 AM
End Date
6-1-2026 11:30 AM
Recommended Citation
Dickens, Daniel P., "Leading With Positivity Where You Are" (2026). Southeast Conference on School Climate. 8.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/secsc/2026/2026/8
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Leading With Positivity Where You Are
Scarbrough 4
Effective leadership in education begins with a deep and realistic understanding of yourself: your strengths, your challenges, and the way you present yourself to others. Every role within a school community has a leadership component, whether you are an administrator, a teacher, a counselor, a support staff member, or a student. Each individual contributes to the climate and culture of the school, and recognizing this influence is essential for leading with intention and purpose. This session will help participants reflect on their personal leadership identity and consider how self-awareness shapes their interactions and decision-making.
Building positive leadership requires more than good intentions; it involves establishing honest, authentic relationships rooted in trust and respect. Throughout the session, participants will examine how their personal histories and experiences influence their leadership style, how understanding future goals can guide their trajectory, and how navigating space, time, and changing circumstances contributes to effective leadership. We will also discuss the importance of managing stress, embracing lessons learned from failure, and recognizing what can and cannot be changed within a school system.
Ultimately, positive leadership depends on the ability to create strength with others by valuing who they are, acknowledging their contributions, and fostering an environment where collaboration thrives. By the end of this session, participants will be better equipped to lead with clarity, empathy, and authenticity, making a meaningful impact on their school communities.
