Meet Dr. Keith Gurley, an associate professor of Educational Leadership within the SOE Human Studies department. Dr. Gurley has been a professor at our school since 2013 and has spent most of his career focused on school leadership and the vital roles within schools that impact the overall success of students, teachers, and school systems.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Keith Gurley
Fun Fact: Dr. Gurley started his educational career in Thailand teaching English and quickly fell in love with helping others to learn.
SOE: Do you have a favorite quote? If so, what is it?
KG: My favorite quote is from Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
This quote encourages us all to strive to higher levels of performance in our work and living spaces. It pushes us to take the initiative to respond to each situation with the utmost ethical commitment and desire to change the world into a more responsive and nurturing environment. Be the change!
SOE: What advice do you have for students in your program and students in general at UAB?
KG: I encourage any and all educators to study leadership, as leadership applies to every individual, either professionally or personally, or both, nearly every day of our lives. If you are interested in understanding the importance and practice of leadership in schools, please consider studying leadership with UAB, earning advanced degrees and credentials to supplement your income, and further preparing you to meet the students' and teachers' learning needs in your charge.
SOE: What is your favorite part of your job at UAB?
KG: My favorite thing about teaching leadership is to witness my students' growth and understanding of what effective leadership is and what it is not. I find it really fulfilling to watch my students grow their knowledge of the practice of leadership and be able to make a significant difference in the lives of their students, colleagues, and communities for the better.
SOE: What do you want people to understand about educational leadership?
KG: The single most important thing about educational leadership and leadership, in general, is that it is not about you! You are there, as a leader, to serve others toward a single, higher cause, which is to provide higher levels of learning for all, students and teachers.
If you have more questions for Dr. Gurley or are interested in learning more about our Educational Leadership program,