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.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
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.
Monday, October 10, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, October 3, 2011
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)