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NCPEA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2008

Leadership on the Frontlines: Changes in Preparation and Practice

Jeanne Fiene

The theme for this year’s address, yearbook and convention—Leadership on the
frontlines: Changes in preparation and practice—emanates from the text by Morgan and
Lynch (2006), Leading from the Front: No Excuse Leadership Tactics for Women. While
liberty was taken with the title and while the text may at first blush seem directly applicable
only to women, this address, conference, and yearbook are by no means a feminist treatise or
only of use to our female attendees or members. In fact, the poignancy of the theme and its
discussion and approval revolved around where we find ourselves today as a nation, and as
preparers of educational leaders.
The following text draws from previous NCPEA presidential messages as well as other
relevant literature. I am deeply indebted to and greatly influenced by the espoused principles
of this organization and by what our leaders have called us to be and to do. My desire is to
remind us of past successes which serve as exemplars of NCPEA’s mission, beliefs, and
purposes. Further this message is intended to encourage and persuade members to join in
being in the present by associating with the organization and its state affiliates, attending
conferences, contributing to CONNEXIONS, conducting research of practice, and mentoring
new and aspiring faculty. Finally, I hope to inspire members to envision an even better future
for our organization and our profession. Consider this a call, if you will, to challenge the
processes that diminish the encouragement of hearts or which derail leaders from modeling
the way in creating and maintaining educational preparation programs and school practices
that are inclusive, just, and relevant.
Let us first glance back to our past, not too distantly mind you, but far enough that we
might have expected to see some things become reality. If we believe, as is asserted in
literature on change (see, for example, Fullan, 1993; Kotter, 1996), that it takes at least seven
years for change to occur, then we should look back at least that far. So, if we look back 14
years to a previous presidential address on changes and challenges in the professoriate, we
should indeed see some results or trends. We should take heart because our president in
1993-1994, Paula Short was such a prophetic visionary. Her presidential address to NCPEA
was correct.
The knowledge base is growing (in fact exponentially), information technology does
operate faster and requires less and less space, the economy is global and interdependent.
Short is not the only one to attest to these notions. In fact, one widely referenced source which
highlights these ideas as fact is Thomas Freidman’s (2005) The World is Flat. Pink stated
likewise in his 2008 address to the NASSP convention audience: technology and off-shore
outsourcing will increasingly continue to replace routine work where there are clear black and
white answers and logical sequentially reached solutions. For instance, witness the recent
development and explosive sales of software products such as those to complete one’s taxes
or basic legal documents.

Jeanne Fiene, Western Kentucky University