Professional Growth Plan

My philosophy about educational technology leadership

I view Educational Technology Leadership as a tool that will allow me to achieve my goals because it is a field that trains and develops great leaders who can combine the use of technology and educational theories and practices to improve learning and performance at the workplace at this age of high technology. It makes me a better leader and helps me understand myself. I am enjoying the process of becoming an effective leader. I am ready to succeed in these changing times (Johnson, 1998). To me, leadership is the ability to get others to want to do what needs to be done. It is about inspiring others to excel by the courage of my own example. It is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal (Northouse, 2018, p. 5). I can use the leadership approaches (Trait Approach, Skills Approach, Style Approach, Situational Approach, Transformational Approach, Servant Approach, Authentic Approach and Team Approach, for instance) discussed by Northouse in my leadership course to improve leadership in real situations (Northouse, 2018, p. 16). For example, the Team Approach which is about shared or distributed leadership helps me as a leader to monitor my team and then take whatever action is necessary to ensure team effectiveness (Northouse, 2018). It also helps in team analysis and improvement, much like that of sports teams.

My focus

My focus as an Educational Technology Leader is to improve learning and performance at workplace. As a result, I need to think in terms of trends and better incorporate the changes in technology where things are advancing so fast, the changes in education and business in my activities and keep people’s lives improving. While focusing, I look at situations from more than one angle to find new opportunities and options in confusing and troubling organizational situations (Bolman et al., 2017).

Leadership Style to make a difference

My leadership style includes directive behaviors to help my group members accomplish goals by giving directions, establishing goals and methods of evaluation, setting timelines, defining roles, and showing how the goals are to be achieved (Northouse, 2019, p.96). It also includes supportive behaviors to help my group members feel comfortable about themselves, their coworkers, and the situation. I tend to use the second style also called coaching approach (high directive-high supportive style.). I focus on communication on both achieving goals and meeting followers’ socioemotional needs. I am dedicated, creative, inspiring, results oriented, flexible, versatile, detail oriented, committed to my vision and the future stage. I have excellent listening skills, a proven sense of initiative, empathy with people, great motivation skills, teamwork and leadership qualities. I enjoy working with individuals with diverse backgrounds and talents from around the globe. When faced with conflict, I usually keep my calm and try to find a comment ground to solve it. As a leader, I would like to motivate my team to reach their potential and listen to their concerns to provide constructive comments. In order to get ahead in an organization, I always adapt to change quickly and support my colleagues to achieve the organization mission and goals. 

References

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2017). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership (6th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. 

Johnson, S. (1998). Who moved my cheese?: An A-mazing way to deal with change in your work and in your life. Penguin. 

Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and practice(8th ed.). SAGE Publications. 

• Increase enrollment at NJCU and Stockton University by encouraging students individually and reaching out to the community to attend and register for classes to complete their studies and focus on their career. (Short-term goal)
• Improve learning financial literacy, entrepreneurship and economics by combining the use of technology and educational theories and practices. (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Improve performance at workplace by applying technological and leadership skills (Short-term and long-term goals) 
• Write and publish articles and books (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences for professional development (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Survey schools, colleges, universities and organizations for research purposes (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Complete course work for year one for the Ed. D in Educational Technology Leadership at NJCU (Short-term goal)
• Seek out full-time professor positions on the university level and outside academia (Short-term and long-term goals)
•  Completed course work for year one for the Ed. D in Educational Technology Leadership at NJCU

• Published a book with some experts in education and Educational Technology leadership in 2023. The book title is “Current Trends in Cybersecurity and Educational Technology.” Wrote chapter 9 of the book. Chapter 9 written by Sedar F. Pougaza on The Importance of the Use of Technology in the Education of Refugee Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Digital Age: Case of Central African Refugees at Gado Badzere Refugee Camp and Possible Solution to Education. Published by IGI Global: International Academic Publisher, Pennsylvania, USA, January 2023, 482 pages. ISBN: 9781668460948, 1668460947
• Accomplished the goals of encouraging students to complete their studies by getting many students to register for classes and complete their studies at New Jersey City University (NJCU) and Stockton University. Some of my students graduated from NJCU, Stockton University and some colleges and universities I have been teaching at
• Improved the teaching and learning of financial literacy and economics at university level by using gamification in my courses to engage my students, improve their grades and knowledge in the subjects taught
• Complete course work for year two for the Ed. D in Educational Technology Leadership at NJCU (Short-term goal)
• Continue research for publication in journals and books (long-term goals)
• Seek out full-time professor positions on the university level and outside academia (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Attend and present at workshops, webinars, and conferences for professional development (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Completed course work for year two for the Ed. D in Educational Technology Leadership at NJCU 

• Participated as faculty member in Faculty Registration Drive at NJCU organized by NJCU with the support of AFT Local 1839 in August 2024 to solve the student registration that lagged behind previous last year’s numbers by increasing enrollment. Used technology (necessary equipment), leadership skills, and interpersonal and communication skills coupled with special training to call, speak to, email, encourage and register students in good standing academic standing who have not registered and those with complicated cases. The results of the registration drive were reported to the union. The registration outreach was successful because it helped to increase enrollment which is of mutual interest and benefit for the university. It was a good initiative and experience 
• Presented a research paper at Fall 2024 Educational Technology Webinar Series, ‘’AI in Education: AI – Infused Artistry’’ at NJCU. Topic presented: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Educational Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Empowering the Next Generation. November 25th, 2024. Received a certificate of completion delivered by NJCU
• Attended Fall 2024 Educational Technology Webinar Series, ‘’AI in Education: AI-Infused Artistry – Elevating Animation and Sound in Your Works’’ on December 9th, 2024. Received a certificate of completion delivered by NJCU
• Published an article titled Franc CFA en Afrique centrale: éviter et comprendre la devaluation. Article published journal based https://www.Afrik.com based in France in December 2024 
• Completed course work for year two for the Ed. D in Educational Technology Leadership at NJCU
• Continue research for publication in journals and books (long-term goals)
• Seek out full-time professor positions on the university level and outside academia (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Attend more workshops, webinars, and conferences for professional development (long-term goals)
• Participate in more service opportunities through the NJCU and Hudson County

• Attended the 13th Northeast Regional Security Education Symposium on Thursday, July 10, 2025 on Artificial Intelligence and Civil Security: Opportunities and Challenges at NJCU School of Business in Jersey City, NJ. Education recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) needs to be integrated into cybersecurity. AI has potential that we need to understand. Security is a part of the application or technology (AI, for instance) to use to improve learning and teaching. AI is a tool for enhancing education. Security controls help to mitigate risk involved in using technology. Cybersecurity prevents attacks. There is a need for standard and regulation for security of AI. We have to use AI responsibly and be aware of the risks involved. No system is secured because we are humans. AI needs to start with human and end with human because codes and prompts are written by people
• Attended The Digital Ethnic Futures Consortium (DEFCon) - NJCU learning opportunity for faculty to better understand the Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that is becoming ubiquitous in our everyday lives and classrooms. “Demystifying Large Language Models: How They Work and How Faculty Can Use Them Better,” given by Dr. J.D Jayaraman. Dr. Jayaraman discussed how machines are trained on large amounts of data to enable text generation so that tools like ChatGPT, T5, and LaMDA work. Spring 2025 Webinar at NJCU
• Continue research for publication in journals and books (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Attend more workshops, webinars, and conferences for professional development and presentation of work (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Participate in more service opportunities through the NJCU and Hudson County (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Evaluate the impact and sustainability of the empowering programs on teachers and students (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Complete course work for year three for the Ed.D in Educational Technology Leadership at NJCU (Short-term goal) 
• Complete the Doctoral Program in Educational Technology Leadership (Short-term goal)
• Seek out full-time professor positions on the university level and outside academia (Short-term and long-term goals)

•  Continue research for publication in journals and books (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Attend more workshops, webinars, and conferences for professional development and presentation of work (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Participate in more service opportunities through the NJCU and Hudson County (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Graduate NJCU Doctoral Program in Educational Technology Leadership
• Seek out full-time professor positions on the university level and outside academia (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Evaluate the impact and sustainability of the empowering programs on teachers and students (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Serve as a consultant education programs and educational technology leader in developing and developed countries advising them on the issues related to innovation and leadership (Short-term and long-term goals)

• Continue research for publication in journals and books 
• Attend more workshops, webinars, and conferences for professional development and presentation of work 
• Seek out full-time professor positions on the university level and outside academia (Short-term and long-term goals)
• Serve as a consultant education programs and educational technology leader in developing and developed countries advising them on the issues related to innovation and leadership (Short-term and long-term goals)