Conference Recap • Welcoming Remarks • Judicial Branch Education • Observations on the Role of the Judicial Educator • Which Level of Evaluation is Right for You? • Experiential Learning • Experiential Learning in the Garden • Where We Were, Where We Are & Where We're Going • Making the Most of Teachable Moments • How to Host and Provide Learning Experiences for International Visitors • Regional Reports

Conference Recap
Observations on the Role of the Judicial Educator: An Opportunity of Leadership
by Henry “Skip” White, Florida Supreme Court, Office of the State Courts Administrator

In this session Mignon U. “Dee” Beranek reminded participants that their respective judicial education organizations have the potential to become what author Peter M. Senge describes as the transformational learning organization. In his 1990 book entitled The Fifth Discipline Senge describes his vision of the learning organization, as (1990:3):

“organizations where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together.”

Senge articulates five disciplines or challenges that he sees as central to the learning organization, which Dee Beranek summarized as follows.

Challenge 1
Systems Thinking
Requires a shift from an isolated or compartmentalized perspective to a systemic view.

Challenge 2
Establish and maintain a commitment to life-long learning, by continuously developing intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Challenge 3
Mental Models
Develop the capacity to challenge assumptions and generalizations through reflection and inquiry – avoid mindsets that impede learning and change.

Challenge 4
Building A Shared Vision
Creating an environment where common aspirations can take root and grow.

Challenge 5
Team Learning and Doing
Nurture meaningful dialogue, listening and discussion, and model these behaviors for others.

Ms. Beranek reminded participants that within our respective learning organizations we each fall into at least one of what Dr. Senge describes as the three “communities of leaders”:

• Local Line leaders
• Internal Networkers
• Executive leaders

We each have an opportunity to be leaders, and to help grow new leaders, as we engage in our daily judicial education efforts.

Copyright 1999-2012, National Association of State Judicial Educators
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