5301 Intership Plan

Goal: To determine what we can do as district to provide training for teachers and staff to work with students of diverse populations.
Action Planning Template
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Meet with and discuss proposed action research plan with supervisor	Grayson Toperzer, John Kiser	Oct, 2011-2012	School Data, Internship Plan	Plan and Research Question(s)
Fact finding meeting with district personnel concerning district plans to address diversity in schools	District Diversity trainer or personnel	Nov 2011	2010-2012 District Initiatives toward Diversity	Resources will be recorded and used as data for action research plan
Fact finding meeting with my current administrators concerning campus plans to address diversity.	Grayson Toperzer and John Kiser	Mid November 2011	Campus Initiatives, Campus Improvement Plan	Resources complied and utilized in staff development-Teacher survey of outcome-Optional-use Survey Monkey.
Develop and Compile data on diversity training options	Researcher	Ongoing	Internet searches Computer assess, Library card	Data Compiled, Logged work hours

Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Compile data on number of students in district and on present campus identified for services.(African Americans) Also data on what area of disability identified.	Researcher and Special Education Services Department	March-April 2012	Meeting with data, meeting/s with Department person	Data compiled, Log hours
Share data with staff	Researcher and/or Administrator/s	Jan 2012 or Date to be determined by Administrator	Data from Research	Staff Development Meeting. Include Evaluation Form
Include: actions/strategies/activities the school will implement to accomplish the goal of not over identifying African American students for Special Ed. Services.	Researcher	Date To Be Determined by  Administrator	Professional Development-PD will be given to staff	Evaluation Form or Verbal Feedback
Compile data on number of students identified on the present campus after data shared	Researcher Administrators Diagnostician	Late May, 2012	Data from Administrator and Diagnostician	Data Provided

EDLD 5333 Leadership For Accountability Reflection

EDLD 5333

This course has provided me valuable lessons in techniques for gathering data information and using data to develop a solution to address any area of concern regarding students’ educational achievements and overall campus’ health.  There are many research-based tools for collecting and using data to identify areas of improvement in students’ academic and test performance. Using data on students’ tests and overall campus performance gives us the opportunity to identity areas needing improvement to fill the gaps in student achievements and then develop the action plan for on-going improvements in our campus. However, it should not be the only criteria to evaluate their progress. Even though the campus, Memorial High School, according to AEIS report, is rated “academic acceptable,” our job as administrators is to continue joining efforts to improve our campus in order to maintain momentum. 

5326 School Community Relations

5326 School community Relations

This course allowed me to look at school relationships from a different perspective, and now I realize that I cannot be a successful teacher or leader without the support of family or the community.  I have been a teacher for ten years, but I am not one to communicate with parents more than I have to.  This course has shown me that in order to get the most out of my students I need to involve the parents of my students more.  Grace Chen (2008) states that “academic achievement increases when parents are involved in their children's education and the more intensively involved the parents are, the greater the positive impact on academic achievement” (para.  4).  As the testing stakes continue to climb, teachers have no other choice but to collaborate effectively with parents, otherwise students will be unsuccessful. Collaborating and creating a culture that involves parents of all students is something that takes time, and is in continuous need of improving and revising.  As a life-long learner I realize that there is not one solution or perfect answer to this issue that it is important for the three groups to work together.  As a leader it is important to have an open line of communication throughout this process.  While constructing new programs it is imperative to allow for “families, school staff members, and community representatives share in all stages of partnership program development” (Sanders, 2001, p.55).   It is also important for me as a leader to remember that I am a continuous learner and to make others aware of this too, that we are all working together to create an environment for student success and improvement. 

Chen, G. (2008, March 25). Parent involvement is key to student success. Retrieved from            http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/12

Sanders, M. (2001). Schools, families, and communities partnering for middle level students'        success.   National Association of Secondary School Principals Bulletin, 85(627), 53-61.

EDLD 5344 School Law

       Taking this course, has taught me the importance of following laws, policies, and procedures in education.  Unaware of the process to terminate teachers, I now know the importance of documentation for gathering “good cause” if necessary against an employee.  I never thought of my contract as a property right that required due process to revoke.  I believe teachers are uninformed about these laws that affect their career and need to become informed.  Educators take for granted school policies and procedures, scanning them quickly at the beginning of the year, signing them without knowing the full implications if caught breaking them.  As a leader, I understand and realize how important it will be to keep informed of laws that affect our students, staff, and school.  I think it will be important to join online lists, groups, and organizations to stay informed as new technologies bring about new issues and laws in education.

5311 Fundamentals of Leadership Reflection

Meeting with the school supervisor was a great experience.  We collaboratively planned out activities based on the goals and needs of the school.   Creating and implementing the plans for this campus was a little overwhelming.    My site supervisor and I will monitor and evaluate my progress and continue to revise my internship plan as needed.

   However, the meeting allowed me to gain knowledge of the mission and goals of the   campus.    I learned that he is a leader that promotes the success of every student and individual.  It is obvious that the vision of this campus is shared by all individuals at this campus.   The individuals at this campus often collaborate about the shared vision and mission of the school.   By involving all stakeholders in planning and developing the shared campus vision that is focused  on teaching and learning is one way the leader ensure that the vision is shared by all.  

EDLD 5301 Research Reflection

Before enrolling in the EDLD 5301 Research course, I had the slightest idea what an action research plan involved.  When I heard the word “action research”, my first reaction was “what is that?”  I associated it with being assigned a topic and spending countless hours in the library or in front of the computer trying to locate information on it.  However, after taking the course, I have learned that there is so much more to research than that.  As stated in Dana (2009),  “Action research refers to research intended to bring about change of some kind” (p. 6).  The EDLD 5301 Research course has provided me with a multitude of strategies and methods that will allow me to become an effective action inquirer and educational leader.  The literature, video lectures, blogs, email notifications, and discussion forums have been extremely beneficial during this course.

5345 Human Resourse Mgt Reflection

I really liked this class because I learned a lot about resolving conflicts in my own personal life.  However, in the school setting, each principal has a choice as to how to approach a situation no matter the magnitude. They can fight, flight, or fix. I would hope that fixing the problem would be their number one alternative. There are various ways to have assistance if fixing the situation may prove to be difficult. When choosing to fight, the administrator may make matters worse and therefore more stressful. Fighting can cause the situation to escalate, which isn’t professional or productive. Lawsuits and loss of a position could even result. The flight decision can seem like a good choice as the situation may resolve itself. Many times this may not be the case and the problem may reoccur, and possibly in a more severe manner. The most effective administrator may take time to investigate and seek advice and information. Others may have dealt with the same situation and could offer valuable solutions. Resolving a conflict will help all parties involved to move on in a positive direction, which may in turn eliminate future concerns and problems.