Consider the following quote: “Good leaders develop through a never-ending process of self-study, education, training and experience.”
Prepare a substantive response to the following:
How do you relate to the quote in your role as a school counselor leader in improving student achievement?
What are some suggesting ways to open communication for input from various stakeholders?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Importance of Continuous Development for School Counselor Leaders
Thesis statement: In the role of a school counselor leader, continuous self-study, education, training, and experience are essential for improving student achievement by enhancing the effectiveness of counseling programs, developing necessary skills, and fostering collaboration with various stakeholders.
Introduction: As a school counselor leader, the quote, “Good leaders develop through a never-ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience,” holds great significance. This essay explores how this concept relates to the role of a school counselor leader in improving student achievement. Additionally, it suggests effective ways to open communication channels to obtain valuable input from various stakeholders.
Body:
- Enhancing the Effectiveness of Counseling Programs:
- Continuous self-study enables school counselor leaders to stay updated with the latest research, best practices, and evidence-based interventions. This knowledge can then be applied to enhance counseling programs that directly impact student achievement.
- Engaging in ongoing education and training opportunities allows counselors to acquire new skills and techniques that can be used to address emerging challenges faced by students.
- Gaining experience through working with diverse student populations and implementing innovative strategies provides valuable insights into effective counseling practices.
- Developing Necessary Skills:
- Self-study and education help school counselor leaders identify their strengths and weaknesses. By addressing areas that need improvement, leaders can develop the necessary skills to effectively support students and guide them towards academic success.
- Training programs can provide counselors with specialized knowledge in areas such as college and career readiness, mental health support, or behavior management. These skills enable counselors to address the specific needs of students and promote positive outcomes.
- Experience gained through working with students from different backgrounds and facing various challenges allows school counselor leaders to develop empathy, cultural competence, and effective communication skills. These attributes are crucial for building trust and rapport with students, thereby improving student achievement.
- Fostering Collaboration with Various Stakeholders:
- Open communication is essential for gathering input from various stakeholders. School counselor leaders can organize regular meetings or forums to engage with teachers, parents, administrators, and community members. This allows for the exchange of ideas, concerns, and suggestions that can positively impact student achievement.
- Developing relationships with stakeholders through active listening and valuing their perspectives creates a sense of ownership and collaboration. When stakeholders feel heard and respected, they are more likely to actively participate in initiatives aimed at improving student achievement.
- Utilizing technology platforms such as online surveys, suggestion boxes, or virtual discussion forums can provide convenient and anonymous ways for stakeholders to share their input. This ensures that all voices are heard, even those who may be hesitant to speak up in traditional settings.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the quote “Good leaders develop through a never-ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience” holds immense relevance in the role of a school counselor leader. Continuous development enables counselors to enhance the effectiveness of counseling programs, develop necessary skills, and foster collaboration with various stakeholders. By prioritizing self-improvement and maintaining open channels of communication, school counselor leaders can significantly contribute to improving student achievement and overall school success.
