The first step I am going to take to develop my authentic arts leadership is to continue to reflect on my leadership style. My Leadership and Strategic Thinking class has been valuable in the fact that it has required me to become more self-aware in my leadership style and has introduced me to different styles of leadership. I would like to apply some of the tactics I have learned, like creating a psychologically safe workplace, handling adaptive challenges, Level 5 Leadership, and approaches to conflict, to see how that refines my leadership style. Throughout this process, I am going to reflect through journaling to see what worked and what didn’t work. I am preparing to go through a possible leadership transition as my head director is set to retire. He is going to train me throughout the 2026-2027 school year with the hopes that I can apply and take over his position. If I start applying what I’ve learned and reflecting now, I feel like this training will be an overall better experience.

I am also going to try to network more. Networking is not my favorite thing; at times, it’s very uncomfortable. If I can build more connections throughout the San Antonio area in educational fine arts, though, I feel like I will be able to continue to build my leadership support team and expand my learning in the positions I am interested in. I have always been with Northside Independent School District, both as a student and teacher, so what I have seen and experienced through the district's fine arts has been the same for about 17 years. Recently, we gained a new Fine Arts Director, who has been great. Morale is high, and there’s a care there for the arts that we haven’t seen in a while. Patterns in some leadership aspects have not changed, though, like favoritism and lack of support. Due to this, I would like to see what other fine arts leadership looks like and learn what it means to be a true and good Theatre Supervisor or Fine Arts Director.

The final step I am going to take today, tomorrow, and over the next year to continue my development is to encourage myself and my students to find leadership opportunities. As a teacher, I am always leading my students, but if I can find more ways to be involved with fine arts or my own campus at a higher level, I want to be able to do that. I also want to empower my students to find their own leadership opportunities because this will give them the opportunity to learn what it means to be a leader. It will also allow me to continue to have dialogue on leadership and the different practices I have learned.

Has the journey to get here always been easy? Definitely not. It has been plenty of late nights, early mornings, working on schoolwork while on breaks at work, and working two jobs. Has this leadership journey been worth it, though? Absolutely. I feel more prepared than ever to take on a leadership position in the arts. Learning never stops, though, so I look forward to continuing my development.