Final Blog Post

We're done!  We have survived and successfully completed all courses!  It feels great!

I appreciate the time and feedback from Mr. Garza after the mock interview.  It was a great learning experience.

This entire scholarly journey has been a great ride!  There have been smooth roads with great faculty and cohort members to collaborate with.  Through the rough roads, I learned the importance of patience, good communication, and integrity.  Now I sit at the end of the road, and I wouldn't change a thing!  Every aspect of the journey has prepared me to an effective leader.

I feel well prepared for the untraveled road ahead, thank you to my professors and collegues.  Sit down, buckle up, and hold on!

Capstone Paper Reflection

As I wrote the capstone paper, I was reminded of the importance of identifying the current reality.  Before we can move forward, we must identify where we are.  When moving forward, the destination (vision or goal) should be clearly communicated to all stakeholders.  Once the current reality is identified and the vision is communicated, then a plan can be created to make the vision a reality.  Staff, students, parents, and community members should all have a voice in the vision as well as in the plan.  The support of all stakeholders will be needed to carry out the plan.  As barriers are encountered, an effective PLC can address and conquer them. 
Each and every person at a school site is important!  We must work together as a team with the guidance of the school leader.  Leadership can have a positive effect on a school.  It's a process.  A positive leader will stay close to the community and have good systems in place. 
We can not make excuses for children not performing at proficient or advanced.  There are no acceptable excuses why not every child can learn.  We must hold tightly that every child can learn and ensure there success! 

Budget/Funding Activity

Working on the site categorical funding budget is a part of my every day duties as GIS.  I have become familiar with the allocations of funding and working within the budget.  I am thankful to the department of Special Projects and to the site office manager for their patience and guidance as I learn.
An important thing I have learned is to use all "most restrictive" funds first.  That way, you are left with the "least restrictive" funds to meet the needs of all students.  As an administrative team, we work to identify the needs of our site.  We work with our staff, students, and parents to identify the needs.  Next, a proposed budget of how the site would like to use the funds is presented to the School Site Council for review and approval.
I work with an exceptional staff and members of the site council who work closely to ensure that funds are used to best meet the needs of all students.

Face2Face Reflection

You are who you hire.  I strongly agree with that statement.  I enjoyed listening to the HR managers from Clovis, Sanger, and Visalia Unified School Districts.  Although each district is very different, I found many similarities in what they look for in a new hire and as well as in many "operational" areas.
I believe that their is a right fit for each new administrator.  A right fit in a district, as well as at a school site.  It is important to be patient and trust the interview panel, the site administration, and the district administration.  They know the site well and can best identify a good fit.  I interviewed for three GIS positions before getting the one I currently have.  I have also spoken with numerous administrators who said they interviewed several times before getting a position in administration.  It can be a challenge to be patient, but I feel it will pay off in the long run.
When the CADA members guided us through a few activities, I gained a new perspective on how to listen with respect.  I also learned more about how the school climate is developed by the activities on campus.  Even though it was a Friday night after a long week, I could have sat and listened and learned for hours!
Dr. Terry Bradley's presentation on school finance was incredible!  I learned so much that can help me in my job right now.  From the history of different propositions and court rulings, to the components of a budget, I have a lot to do on Monday in the office.  Dr. Bradley was able to clarify many areas of school finance that I had questions on.  For example, revenue limit and unrestricted revenue.  I feel much more confident as we prepare to pass a bond in Clovis.  Another weekend of valuable information - thank you Dr. Buster, Dr. Wise, and Dr. Darrow!

Leadership Connectors - Putting it all Together

Relationships.  It is all about relationships.  Relationships with teachers, classified staff, parents, students, members of the community, and colleagues.  The key to all 6 leadership connectors is relationships.  In the relationships that I build, I must ensure effective, clear communication; provide support; ensure safety; be competent in my abilities; maintain continuous renewal; and ensure trust.

I absolutely love my new position as a GIS and the opportunities that I have to build more relationships.  I feel that in my administrative role I have more exposure to parents, students, and community members.  I feel that every opportunity I have out on campus, in the classrooms, and while attending co-curricular events is another opportunity to establish and build relationships. 

I know that I will make mistakes along the journey as an administrator, but it's what how I respond to the mistakes and what I learn from them that will make a difference.  It's not that I set out to make mistakes, but I see mistakes as a necessary part of learning.  I want to improve and I want to grow.  From my mistakes I can do that.

Face2Face Reflection

As a new administrator, I found the presentations this weekend to be extremely valuable.  Roberta Rowe's presentation provided information on student discipline.  I appreciated the bound copy of information.  There are things I have encountered, such as cyber bullying, and it was nice to gain legal information on the subject.  At times employees may be hired to a position with little experience, although qualified, and are asked to sink or swim.  I feel that with what I learned from Ms. Rowe, I can swim in any position requiring discipline of a student or employee.

Dr. Hauser started our class Saturday morning with enthusiasm and energy.  I absolutely loved listening to her!  The presentation, the activities, and the discussions were great ways to model an effective meeting.  Not only did I learn a lot from her, I enjoyed myself and time flew by!  One "Ah ha" moment for me was that I should spend more time planning the meeting than the meeting itself will last.  I love that! I also took pictures of a few posters created by my peers - everyone did a great job!

Dr. Torosian's presentation was insightful.  At one of my school sites, I feel consumed by discipline.  It was wonderful to receive a thorough explanation of the education code as it relates to student discipline.  More than that, I appreciated his attitude towards modifying student behavior.  Our goal is not to suspend or expel students, our goal is to change the negative behavior.  What are we doing to change the behavior?

I feel it's important to remind students that the poor choice they made does not define their character.  It's how the respond to the situation and what they do next.  I want students to know that I believe they are not bad kids, they may have made a bad choice, but that does not mean they are bad.  I want them to learn from experience and grow in a positive direction - that shows great character!

EAD 269 has provided me with valuable information that will guide me as a new administrator.  I appreciate the time that each of our presenters gave - as well as giving up a Friday night or Saturday.  With everything I learned, I didn't mind sitting in class on a weekend.  Thank you to Dr. Buster, Dr. Wise and Dr. Darrow!

Leadership Connectors - Trust

Without good communication, support, safety, competence, and continuous renewal, it is difficult to establish trust.  All six connectors are vital for an effective leader, yet you can not have one without the other.  How does one learn to build and strengthen all of the leadership connectors?  For me, I work on identifying my weaknesses. I want to take my weaknesses and turn them into my strengths.  For example, my weakness is a lack of knowledge and experience at the elementary level.  How do I expect elementary teachers to trust me when I have little elementary experience?  Beginning over a year ago, I began using personal days to job shadow leaders at the elementary level.  I wrote a curriculum guide for first grade mathematics for the new common core standards.  I taught second grade summer school.  I work for one hour per week with each grade level during PLC time to collaborate, look at data, and discuss ways to use the data to drive instruction.  More importantly, I am honest in what I know and don't know.  I recognize the teachers as experts and work hard to support them in any way possible.  If they have a question that I do not know the answer to, I work to get the answer.  In doing so, I hope that I am building trust. 

Leadership Connectors - Continuous Renewal

As horrible as it is to say this (or write this), the one thing that I have moved to the back burner is my family.  This chapter was a rude awakening for me!  Juggling my coursework for the cohort, being a GIS at two schools, a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter - I am failing miserably!  The easiest thing for me to put on hold has been my family (everyone reading this now sees me as a horrible person).

After reading this chapter, I realize that in rejuvenating myself, I can be a better leader, mom, wife, sister, daughter, and student.  I must take time for myself.  Unfortunately, I don't see it as a reality.  I work 12-13 hour days, Monday through Friday and 8-10 hours on the weekends just trying to stay on top of my work as a GIS at two schools.  It is important that I support my teachers, my staffs, maintain discipline, complete CELDT testing and school site plans and meet deadlines.  I also have deadlines for coursework in the cohort.  I don't, however, have deadlines for my family.  I am recognizing (as a write this) that my actions are telling my husband and our children that they are not a priority, but what can I change?  I read the chapter, I do prioritize, I delegate, there's just so much to do - so much that must be done.  What else can I do?  One GIS at two schools is something new to Clovis Unified.  It is a learning year for all of us!

Leadership Connectors - Competence

Guidance Instructional Specialist - that is my job title.  The term "specialist" is overwhelming to me.  I consider myself a life learner and am excited about the knowledge and experiences I gain each day.  One of my duties as a GIS is to support teachers.  As someone new to the job, I find myself saying that I do not have an answer for somethings, but my reply is "let me research that and get back to you".  It's a great way to learn!  I am fortunate to have an amazing mentor, a critical friend, and numerous support systems in place to help me!

Although I don't consider myself an expert, and I am new to my position, I do feel competent that I can get the job done.  My experiences in 13 years of teaching, coaching pep and cheer, serving as department chair, supervising a staff of 7 coaches, writing grants, and being a mom have provided me with valuable experiences that have allowed me the opportunity to strengthen my communication skills, organizational skills, ability to reflect, ability to coach colleagues, to make decisions based on data and to always do what is best for kids. 

Leadership Connectors - Safety

Sometimes I lay awake at night thinking of my responsibility, as a leader, for the safety of over 1,300 students.  With serving 2 sites, it is impossible for me to be at each site everyday.  I am thankful for the close relationship and constant communication I have with my principals.  However, a "Columbine" situation could happen at any time, any where.

After reading chapter 3 in Leadership Connectors (Hensley, Burmeister), I spent a few hours thinking about how each staff member may feel and what can I do to ensure everyone feels safe.  I went through each of the suggestions from pages 68-69 and developed a system to try each of them this week.  I have so much to learn and each week I find more useful information from this book.

As a teacher, I worked to create a safe learning environment with consistent structure, routine, and expectations.  My challenge now as a leader is to create, not only a safe learning environment, but also a safe working environment for our staff.  It is important that I maintain a culture of caring, respect, trust, communication, safety, and support.  I am thankful to my mentors who model this for me daily and who check in with me often.

Our best opportunity to be creative and innovative thinkers  is when we feel relaxed and safe.  Our students deserve and environment that is calm and relaxed, that promotes creative thinking and problem solving, and where they know that we believe in their success.  As Doc often said, "a fair break for every kid!"

Leadership Connectors - Support

Doc Buchanan said in an interview in 1990 that, "Trust evolves when people know what is expected, receive support to do the expected, and then are given credit for having done so."  Doc has also said, "give teachers the best materials and then stand back and cheer them on."

In establishing Clovis Unified School District, Doctor Floyd B. Buchanan knew that support was an important factor in building exemplary schools.  Just as the authors of Leadership Connectors, Hensley and Burmeister, wrote "Effective leaders know that no matter where people work, they value support."

Support is a key component to establishing relationships of trust.  As a GIS serving two elementary schools, I am working to show each staff member, student, parent, and community member that I desire to serve and support them.  I don't want anyone to notice that I only at each site every other day.  My goal is to support the teachers and staff at both sites every day no matter where I am.  I try to spend the hours of 8:00am-3:00pm in the classrooms and out on campus.  Much of my work can be done after 3:00pm, but I can't support teachers when they are not there.  Each week I have a goal of every classroom, every week.  Some days I have 3-4 hours of discipline and therefore am unable to get to every classroom.  I gained valuable insight from the chapter on "Support" regarding being in classrooms more and seeing discipline decrease.  Administrators are able to put out fires as they are out and about on campus.  I can't wait to put this into action!

Leadership Connectors - Communication

Leadership Connectors, Communication

Doc Buchanan has said, “Say what you mean and mean what you say.”  Being a clear, effective communicator is important as a leader.  It is also important to follow through with what you say.  Some days I am not able to get done what I had hoped to accomplish.  The funny thing about kids is that you can’t predict when they are going to do or say something inappropriate.  Some days I spend three or four hours handling student discipline while other times, a week or two may pass without a single referral.  However, no matter what happens, if I say to a teacher or group of teachers that I will stop by their classroom or sit in with their PLC meeting, then I make sure I follow through.

In the book, “Leadership Connectors – Six Keys to Developing Relationships in Schools”, chapter one gives great suggestions and examples of notes an administrator can give to teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, PTA members, and others involved in the school system.  What a great way to build relationships and support the vision of the school! 

I feel that in addition to the written, spoken, and body language elements of communication, listening is equally important (if not more important).  When dealing with an upset parent or frustrated teacher, sometimes just listening to them can help them to feel better and can also help the administrator keep a pulse on the community and culture of the school.  Being a good listener can be difficult.  I feel it is important to actively listen.  Let the individual know that you are hearing what they say by repeating key things back.

I absolutely love before and after school supervision!  This time allows me to talk with parents, teachers and students.  It has been a wonderful tool as a GIS at two completely different school sites, to learn names, establish relationships, and have positive interaction and productive conversations with others. 

I believe in the power of face to face communication!  I think email is a great, convenient tool, however, talking with someone face to face allows me to convey interest, sincerity, and to let others know I value them.  It also forces administrators to get out of their offices. J

Daniel Pink Drive Video Reflection

As a leader, I feel using data and research helps motivate teachers.  Through the PLC process, teachers have protected time to look at data, identify essential standards, share best practices, identify strengths and weaknesses by student, by classroom, and by grade level.  Teachers and administrators can then use the data to drive decisions and instruction.  It is my role, as a leader, to provide the data and research to the teachers so they may maximize their PLC time and continue to do the great things they do to help all students succeed.