The Importance Of Leadership In Stand And Deliver

My research on the movie “Stand and Deliver” reinforced the importance of how a leader can successfully change the future, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Math teacher, Jaime Escalante played by Edward Olmos was passionate in changing lives, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). His dedication and determination was without rival. Escalante accepted a position as a teacher in a school that was on the verge of collapse, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Surrounded by a negative atmosphere he rose above and brought his vision to the forefront. Escalante was not only a teacher but a visionary, he knew exactly what was needed and didn’t falter from the path, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Maintaining a strong vision is critical to effective leading, (Kouzes and Posner,

2012).

While his peers challenged his beliefs he stayed focused on his direction providing clarity in his vision. Escalante practiced the can do attitude and would not except anything less of himself or his students, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). This movie defined what it means to be passionate in obtaining your goals. Escalante believed in himself and believed in others providing the critical support element to effective leadership. He encouraged others by sharing his vision and believing in themselves. Providing clarity in vision aligns us with a common purpose for organizational success, (Kouzes and Posner, 2012). This movie depicted how one person can make the difference even when placed in a setting that defies odds of success. The word no was not a part of his vocabulary, he brought out the best in people by showing he cared about their future. The result of this research reinforces the key elements of an effective leader through passion, vision, persistence and determination. Believing in yourself and believing in others, building on relationships and establishing a

path to success.
Keywords: direction, vision, dedication, visionary, clarity, passion

The Leadership Challenge
This week’s research reflects on an exceptional movie “Stand and Deliver”, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). This movie captures the essence of leadership, how one man can make a difference in the lives of so many students. As I was watching this movie I remember certain scenes from viewing it several years ago. The setting takes place in a high school located in a rundown neighborhood in Los Angles California, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). The area was poverty stricken and it was obvious that education wasn’t a priority. The school itself was in turmoil teachers were leaving for better paying jobs. The school was pending its reaccreditation and there was really no direction in regards to improving education, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). The new math teacher Jaime Escalante, played by Edward Olmos was a unique leader and brought with him new ideas and a new direction, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Escalante had left a good paying job to take on a teaching position in a rundown school, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). His first day at the school had a lot to be desired. He was originally hired on as am computer teacher, but the school had no computers so he was reassigned as the math teacher, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). I would think that most teachers after being told they would be teaching another discipline would have turned around and left. The thought of accepting a position to teach computers and then finding out that the school has no computers doesn’t say much for the schools financial situation, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Employee retention or lack of was quite evident during their first staff meeting. Escalante accepted what was handed to him and courageously moved on, (Musca and Menendez, 1988).
As the new math teacher walked into the class he was subjected to negative behavior, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Some students were there to learn but the majority were only there because they had to be there. Many of the students lived in poverty which explains the reason for gang affiliation. The atmosphere was definitely not conducive to learning. As the new teacher attempted to gain order in the class some of the students retaliated by throwing paper and being disruptive, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Escalante didn’t let this affect him, the more he was challenged the better he became with controlling the setting, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Initially, Escalante followed the transactional style which is common in a school setting, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). After assessing the situation he knew he needed a different approach to induce learning. By the second class Escalante was using a transformational approach by implementing a style that was unorthodox from the standard practice, this proved to be very effective, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). He didn’t look down on the students but met them at their level of understanding. Escalante was an exceptional leader that could read people, but yet establish guidelines that they needed to adhere to. This proved to be very effective. His somewhat comical approach was inspiring and would not be accepted in a more refined upper level school system. In today’s society his application would probably be under great scrutiny do to the focus being established on political correctness.
Escalante was a visionary, looking at that future and establishing his objectives in getting there, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). While the rest of the teaching staff were more focused on today he had set his vision on the future. From the very beginning in their first staff meeting I noted that the teachers viewed the students as substandard. They had already established that the students didn’t have the potential. One of the staff leaders even made the comment that most of these student are at a seventh grade level and would fail if subjected to higher demands, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). This is the type of attitude that is the reason why the school was in dire straits. Escalante refused to accept this by stating that he was going to teach calculus, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). He believed in himself and new that he could make it happen. He stayed firm to his convictions and when challenged he stated that this is what he is going to teach and if he was told no then he would leave, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). I felt that the principle believed in him and was willing to support his cause. Escalante was a devoted leader passionate in his role of educating others, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). This was defined in his persistence to make these students successful. In order to capture his vision he dedicated an enormous amount of time to the students. Working for free after hours and the weekend showed his determination and loyalty for the cause, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Escalante’s teaching methods kept the students focused by sharing his vision influencing them that it can be achieved, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). His clarity on their future success was defined by no limits. As an effective leader he successfully broke down the barriers but also remained very truthful by telling them that they will need to put forth the effort and sacrifice to reach their goal, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). A Leader needs to establish the vision by setting guidelines to gain clarity, be truthful regarding the time invested, but most importantly be passionate in your convictions.
One of his students Angel Guzman, played by Lou Diamond Phillips was affiliated with a gang, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). At first, I thought Angel would not except the terms and be able to weather the storm, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Angel was a rebellious young man and appeared not willing to commit to the program, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). He would show up late to class and it made you wander if he was destined for failure, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). The teacher was harsh with him but at the same time new that he could do it. Most teachers would have never been able to turn this student around. Escalante being unique knew how to develop this student and was willing to never stop believing in him, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). When the time came for the students to take their AP Calculus exam it was an intense moment, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). I thought to myself is it possible that all of them will pass or only a few. When the results were announced all 18 students had passed, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). This is an amazing accomplishment and proves that when you put your mind to something you can do anything. With all of his students passing the AP Calculus exam it was a true reflection on how effective their teacher was, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Escalante set the bar high regarding his expectations and the students not only reached it but went beyond, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). He developed a sincere relationship with each student, he believed in them when others did not. Escalante’s passion for teaching was evident not only with his students at school, but also the adults that he taught English to at night, (Musca and Menendez, 1988).
This leader lived his passion of teaching day and night, relentless in his quest to improve others’ lives. Unfortunately this created great strain on his family and his health. This would be his only downfall, by not establishing a reasonable balance between his passion and his health, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Sometimes our passion can get the better of us. A leader needs to identify this and establish an equal balance in order to remain effective. Escalante’s heart attack caused him to miss critical instruction periods with his students, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Even though this absence was not detrimental to their success it could have easily gone the other way. His family was very supportive in his passion, which is essential to staying on course. Without support it is difficult to achieve, this relationship needs to be strong in order to weather the storm. Escalante’s wife was very understanding, but also concerned with the amount of time he was away from the home, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). Many marriages will crumble when subjected to this amount of strain. His heart attack was a painful wakeup call for change, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). His passion was so strong, I’m not sure even with the health concern that he would slow down, it did however allow him time to reassess his position. Towards the end of the movie I was very glad to see that Escalante had his students retake the exam after there was question that they had cheated, (Musca and Menendez, 1988). This reconfirmed there resiliency to not let negative interference deter you from your path. The students rallied together under their leader and went back into battle to prove that they were the best, (Musca and Menendez, 1988).