Describe

There are two artifacts in this reflection piece.  One artifact is a Diverse Population Development Plan and the other artifact is Elements of a School Vision. Neither project was done with a group.  The Diverse Population Development Plan was collected in the Spring of 2013.  The Elements of a School Vision was collected in the Fall of 2012.

Analyze

ELCC Standard 5.1 – Acts with Integrity.  As educators every decision must be made with the students’ best interest in mind. When dealing with children their best interest must always be in the forefront of every decision and if there is someone not doing this it must be corrected.  As the school leader, I have to model exactly what I expect not only from the students but the staff as well.  When students feel safe and secure, they are more comfortable in their schools, are better able to learn and succeed, and have better opportunities to grow academically, emotionally, and socially.  I feel this is essential for a school to be successful. My school creates a secure learning environment, facilitates learning, and fosters positive social interactions among all students, and staff.  Some ways to ensure that all students are academically successful is to implement co-teaching and cooperative groups throughout the school. By implementing co-teaching, teachers are able to exchange ideas and resources on a weekly, if not daily basis.  This will help to keep the communication open with teachers.  Teachers are able to track a student’s performance and be informed of anything that is happening with the student. Also, through co-teaching students with disabilities may feel more connected with their peer group and not feel that they are being treated any differently than their peer groups.

ELCC Standard 5.2 – Acts with Fairness. As a school leader I want to promote a positive school culture.  Creating professional study groups will promote the empowerment of teachers who collaborate together for the common purpose of improving student learning.  I must promote an environment that instills trust. I want to be able to talk to the teachers.  I feel that trust leads to effective instructional conversations which can lead to accepted changes that move the school towards the goals of the vision statement. This will help to promote reflection and build a trusting relationship where teachers are given the flexibility in the design of their instructional program. I will work with my staff through a series of staff development sessions.  These staff development sessions would break apart the curriculum management process into smaller and more manageable pieces.  Teachers will be encouraged to look at existing data and curriculum documents and work in teams to make changes as needed.  I need to ensure that all teachers feel comfortable sharing with each other and know that they are being listened to.  Collaboration is important for buy in. It is important that I am always willing to learn and keep abreast of educational development. When leaders know their students, teachers, and staff on a personal basis and share their vision, the school community is more willing to support the leaders’ ideas and transformation process.

ELCC Standard 5.3 – Acts with Equity. One way to implement this in my school is by being an active member of the community.  This will help me to better understand the persons I serve.  I will help others trust the educational system by being understanding and supportive of children of all backgrounds.  I will be accountable for every success and failure of every student and teacher.  I know this is a huge responsibility but I will rise to the occasion.  For this to be accomplished, I must constantly be giving, learning, and trying.  I will practice my values and beliefs in my daily interactions and encourage others to do as well. 

Appraise

These two artifacts have helped me tremendously as a leader.  I have learned that having a vision is a crucial component of a leader. A leader needs to have clear and direct goals in mind. One such goal is developing a professional development plan. I was able to collect relevant data and connect it to the goals for the plan.  I learned that the use of data provides an additional structure for keeping the focus of collaborative groups on improved teaching and learning. 

Transform

It is hard to say that I will always act fair and in an ethical matter when it comes to being an administrator.  I am hoping that I can always do that.  I realize that fair does not always mean equal and that each circumstance must be analyzed alone based on all components and circumstances.  It is essential that a leader be committed to their staff, students, and community.  A leader must be willing to promote new programs.  Like any educational practice, co-teaching can be successful if implemented in a school that embraces the philosophy of inclusion, by teachers who have had time to define their roles and are given continued time to plan. As a future leader, I will help to ensure that all teachers are involved in the implementation of co-teaching within the school and that schedules for co-teachers have timed built in to meet with one another.