Describe

The artifact is the development of a new program that we created as a group as part of Educational Leadership class 703, Collaborative and Community Based Leadership.  In a group of three, we selected a school, P.S. 75 and the Hunts Point community.  We collected data throughout the Spring of 2013.  The Census data was looked over which helped us decide the major issues within the Hunts Point community.  The group had a hard time functioning.  Right from the beginning, it seemed no one took the initiative for this project.  There were deadlines made and not kept.  There was also poor communication within the group.  It was hard to meet with everyone’s schedule and although we did meet a few times, I thought it should have been more. I finally took the initiative and organized emails and made sure the other two members were in contact with one another.  I also reminded them of the deadlines which we set for the project.  Although I made great efforts to ensure that all members where on track with their section of the project, in the end I was frustrated and relieved when the project was complete.

Analyze

ELCC Standard 4.1 – Collaborate with Families and Other Community Members.  The program was created for the school, parents, students, and community. After looking at the data, we came up with the idea of bringing ours students closer together with their families throughout a variety of workshops and activities.  The program will encourage parental involvement in the school, provide a recreational space for all the members of the community, cultivate ownership through participation as well as increase investing into the local community businesses.

ELCC Standard 4.2 – Respond to Community Interests and Needs.  These activities will include parenting skill workshops, extra help in English and Math, and collaborative activities with parents and students.  According to the data collected, job opportunities and low income is a concern.  This program will also offer job training, immigration assistance, computer training and other classes that prepare community members to engage in the workforce. 

ELCC Standard 4.3 – Mobilize Community Resources.  Both our partnerships, Mercy Center and P.A.L. will help to assist us in the implementation of the program.  The Mercy Center helps empower families to liberate themselves from economic poverty.  They develop skills for healthy family living and help to build a community of respect and non-violence within the family.  They will offer parenting and anger management courses, in both English and Spanish.  The P.A.L. program introduces activities and services that will provide the skill sets and knowledge base needed to help children foster a relationship with their parents.  Through these activities families will come together and enjoy themselves within a school setting. 

Appraise

This project made me realize there are many different partnerships that could be utilized when looking to start a program for the school and community.  There needs to be a commitment from the school, parents, students, and community for the program to be successful.  Everyone needs to be a stakeholder in the program.  The students who attend this program will begin to have a better and closer bond with their family.  Students will also be receiving extra help in certain subjects.  This will lead to a better attitude in school and better grades.  Students will have the support they need at home and will begin to have confidence with their schoolwork.

Transform

As a future leader, this project helped me realize that a principal needs as much help as one can get.  There needs to be a joint effort on everyone’s behalf when implementing a new program into the community.  As a future administrator, I need to learn that I can’t do it all.  I don’t have to be in charge of everything, and I have to allow others to be in charge of some things.