Professor Raj Mestry recently unpacked and helped the IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall final year students grasp the different leadership styles.
Mestry, an expert in education management and author of Education Management and Leadership – A South African Perspective, recently collaborated online with Rene Woodman, lecturer for education management at Waterfall College, to teach the fourth-year IIE Bachelor of Education students how to be leaders in their classroom.
“On your first day as a new teacher, make sure you walk into the classroom with confidence. Make a firm impression because first impressions are lasting impressions – be a leader,” emphasised Mestry to the students.
He also guided the students on how to reflect on their leadership practices and encouraged them to learn to identify and learn from leadership demonstrated by others at the schools they will be working at.
“To be an expert teacher you have to be well prepared, make use of quick thinking, and hold the position of authority.”
He also pointed out that situational leadership was the most important type of leadership to have as a teacher. Being able to look at any given situation and solve any problem presented was key.
“Prof Mestry helped me understand that leadership in education is all about contrived collaboration, which means that teachers need to meet, work together and be leaders to effectively implement the curricula and instructional strategies in the classroom,” said Mapule Mohale, one of the students.
With local and international recognition from scholars in the field of educational leadership and management, Mestry was awarded the Research Medal for his research contribution to education from the Education Association of South Africa.
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