This has been an amazing learning process. Throughout the course of this program I have had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people who were enduring the admin. credential program with me. It has been a joy to meet, work with, and build relationships with those in the Sanger Cohort, and with those whom I have just met. I also feel very blessed to have gotten to know Dr. Wise and and Dr. Buster through the classes. I think it was great to have had them for more than one class, as it has given us the opportunity to build relationships.
I also really appreciated the mock interviews that we participated in today. This was a great opportunity for us to 'practice' interviewing because it allowed us to experience what an actual interview would be like, get tips and suggestions from professionals, and then to reflect on the entire process.
I am very excited to be done with my classes and to see where my new leadership skills take me in the future. I hope that I have an opportunity to work with you all again soon. Thank you Dr. Buster and Dr. Wise for all of the guidance, encouragement, and support you have given me throughout this program.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Capstone and growth reflection
The growth reflection activity was great to do. I really enjoyed sitting down with my administrator and reflecting on where I thought I needed growth. I found it very beneficial to hear her thoughts on what I could do to work on my growth plan and to hear her ideas.
The capstone paper was also a great experience as it gave me another chance to reflect on my school site, analyze some of the data, and think about where improvements could be made.
The analyzing and reflection pieces have become an essential part of our classes, and have helped me to realize how much we can do when we take the time to really see where our sites have deficits. This will be extremely important for me to continue as an administrator as it will not only help me to make changes in the school, but it will also help guide the staff.
The capstone paper was also a great experience as it gave me another chance to reflect on my school site, analyze some of the data, and think about where improvements could be made.
The analyzing and reflection pieces have become an essential part of our classes, and have helped me to realize how much we can do when we take the time to really see where our sites have deficits. This will be extremely important for me to continue as an administrator as it will not only help me to make changes in the school, but it will also help guide the staff.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Budget Reflection
Analyzing the budget at our school site was a very interesting process. To be honest, I was quite surprised to see where some of the money that our site has comes from and how it is used. I was shocked to see the amounts of money we put towards certain content areas, activities, and incentives. I really wanted to know who decided how the allocations would be divided between the different areas and how they were divided.
It was also interesting to see what areas of the budget have not been touched yet this year and which ones are already depleted.
I really wish we had been able to look at this a little more in-depth as I felt that this was a only a little 'peek' into the entire budget.
It was also interesting to see what areas of the budget have not been touched yet this year and which ones are already depleted.
I really wish we had been able to look at this a little more in-depth as I felt that this was a only a little 'peek' into the entire budget.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Face To Face Reflection
This weekend's classes were full of information that is very important to us as we are entering into administrative positions. On Friday night both sections, HR and leadership, provided very interesting information. It was nice to have a chance to hear the HR perspective, get ideas on hiring, and to get overall general information. It was also wonderful to get to ask questions of the speakers who were there. As always, the speakers did a wonderful job providing insight into their worlds.
The leadership segment was a wonderful experience. The listening activity, although difficult at first, was very insightful. It showed us how truly important it is for us really listen to others and get the whole story before jumping in. It also liked the fact that it was an activity that could be used with students or adults and modified to meet your needs. Another facet to the leadership activity that I thought was important was all of the facts they gave about the importance of activities in schools. I think that administrators are so busy worrying about the budget and what needs to be cut that sometimes they lose sight of what is important outside of the CST's.
The leadership segment was a wonderful experience. The listening activity, although difficult at first, was very insightful. It showed us how truly important it is for us really listen to others and get the whole story before jumping in. It also liked the fact that it was an activity that could be used with students or adults and modified to meet your needs. Another facet to the leadership activity that I thought was important was all of the facts they gave about the importance of activities in schools. I think that administrators are so busy worrying about the budget and what needs to be cut that sometimes they lose sight of what is important outside of the CST's.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Putting it all together
This text has allowed us to take a close look at 6 leadership connectors: communication, support, safety, competence, continuous renewal, and trust. It showed us different aspects for each connector and allowed us to see the importance as each one as an individual unit and more importantly, the significance for the need of all six connectors to be intertwined together to help us be more effective leaders.
Although all of the connectors are important for us as educators and leaders, I found that they are also important for us outside of work as well. Learning to focus on some of these aspects and balancing our lives can make a difference in who we are at work and in our personal lives.
Although all of the connectors are important for us as educators and leaders, I found that they are also important for us outside of work as well. Learning to focus on some of these aspects and balancing our lives can make a difference in who we are at work and in our personal lives.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Reflection 7
Leadership Connector, Trust
"Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great" Ralph Waldo Emerson
Trust is an important foundation for any relationship. It is something that we need to build with family, friends, and peers; and it is definitely something we need to develop as leaders.
We have discussed trust in many ways throughout this program. Reading The Speed of Trust in a previous class gave us insight into the different facets of trust. We also heard an important message about trust from various Sanger leaders who came to our classes. Most of them emphasized how crucial it was to trust your staff and your peers.
In this chapter, I really enjoyed the section about building a caring environment. There was a great list of ways to build that caring environment that will also help to build trust. The ideas are simple things that we can easily implement in our daily routine, but that can make a huge impact.
"Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great" Ralph Waldo Emerson
Trust is an important foundation for any relationship. It is something that we need to build with family, friends, and peers; and it is definitely something we need to develop as leaders.
We have discussed trust in many ways throughout this program. Reading The Speed of Trust in a previous class gave us insight into the different facets of trust. We also heard an important message about trust from various Sanger leaders who came to our classes. Most of them emphasized how crucial it was to trust your staff and your peers.
In this chapter, I really enjoyed the section about building a caring environment. There was a great list of ways to build that caring environment that will also help to build trust. The ideas are simple things that we can easily implement in our daily routine, but that can make a huge impact.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Reflection 6
Leadership Connector, Continuous Renewal
Finding balance is extremely important for us, especially as we are entering into our new positions. We have heard many times, from many leaders in our district, the importance of caring for ourselves and staying healthy. Our superintendent has also expressed the importance of prioritizing our lives and putting things in check: God, family, then work.
As I was reading, I was thinking about my life currently and to be honest I feel like I am robbing my kids and myself. I go to work, I stay late, I bring work home...when do I spend time with my kids or with my husband? It has become very clear to me that I need to make some changes and prioritize things, but that is easier said than done.
Finding balance is extremely important for us, especially as we are entering into our new positions. We have heard many times, from many leaders in our district, the importance of caring for ourselves and staying healthy. Our superintendent has also expressed the importance of prioritizing our lives and putting things in check: God, family, then work.
As I was reading, I was thinking about my life currently and to be honest I feel like I am robbing my kids and myself. I go to work, I stay late, I bring work home...when do I spend time with my kids or with my husband? It has become very clear to me that I need to make some changes and prioritize things, but that is easier said than done.
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