Interview and Final Blog...........

The interview was really nice. Was informed about a position that would have been great to try. Unfornately, I GOT a job already. However the networking opportunity was great.  It would be nice to interview with various districts for future co-horts.

Overall the program was a great opportunity, I'm glad I decided to take the classes versus testing out. I would have missed a lot of information and vital sharing of administrative experiences.

Happy Holidays to all and Happy New Years.

Personal Capstone Paper and Professional Growth Plan

After writing my capstone paper and developing the professional growth plan I felt as though I have grown so much. I've had many challenges this year. Mentally, physically, and emotionally as my family dealt with death. As a believer I felt as though I was being prepared for something greater.  After those experiences I had a nice lesson,  nothing I do in the work realm will ever be this difficult or to hard to handle.

The learning that I have gained has given me a stronger vision, confidence that I can do my job, and how to organize my vision in my new job.  The professional growth plan with beyond my shortfalls. It focused on how my role would make my department stronger through a team concept. Working together on all things. 

Budget Inventory

It's amazing how little money a large high school receives to operate annually. As part of the team here, I can clearly understand why we have to be so creative when it comes to extracurricular activities and fundraising to get the things we need.

I think back to the "little school house". Small in size and minus all the fancy things.  It was the teacher against the whole school. No principal, no aides, no custodians.  When we can get back to the basic, I think we will be able to push forward.

Weekend Reflection on Face-Face

Taking the time to listen was the simplest and most effective activity of the evening. Remembering to take that time to, “LISTEN”. Not just listening but actually being an active listener. Remembering you don’t always have to provide a solution, agree to what they say, or respond. In our group I think we could all agree when it came to parents, sometimes just wanted to be heard.

After I reflected upon the non-negotiable items presented by various human resources staff from different districts I had a few thoughts.  At first I tensed up to hear it said, but then I thought, “You feel this way too”.  What settled me was to hear that there were actually backing their staff to make them successful.  As one person stated providing their staff with the tools and equipment they need to make students successful.  With this I was reassured they were on track with realistic expectations.

October 31, 2011

The Irish Prayer ~

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand…

This quote above was a wonderful beginning to the ending of this book. This was a great book with many good stories told about administrators from their faults to their corrections. Jeff’s story was a nice ending.  Getting the jitters and thinking of backing out because of negative past experiences at his retirement party was something I could totally see happening. However in the end the impact he had on others positively outweighed all the negative experiences.

Chapter 6-Reflection

“Trust is precious” immediately this chapter title stood out and made me think of several situations that I’ve witnessed or experienced.   As a human when those thoughts can trigger us to immediately go to the negative and then find balance with the positive.  This chapter discussed how trust can be destroyed in seconds, one encounter, or one wrong response. I feel once a leader loses trust then nothing that is spoken from that person again is perceived as a good thing, even when they may have something great to say.  That’s why it’s important as future leaders use caution on what we say and how we respond to others in tough situations.  I believe we will be remembered during those times those times are what we will be remembered for.  I want to be remembered on how I handled the situation and how I didn’t allow it to impact me in a negative way.

Chapter 5- Reflection

Chapter 5

The points that resonates the most with me included knowing when to pick your battles and knowing when to fight and when to retreat. Mrs. Abernathy case, she jumped the gun in a moment of stress versus giving the situation more time to be reflected upon. Sometimes that happens however the principal felt as though this is battle he didn’t want to deal with the teacher, parent, or student. Mr. Crockett’s discernment was correct.  By giving it a day the situation resolved.  I especially like to think about things 24 hours unless they need to be immediately responded to.  This gives me time to examine the situation in full. 

When reflecting upon fight and retreat, I felt there are times you have to fight.  This could include advocating for the needs of the classroom, school, or a student.  However you have to know how to humbly retreat and give time for situations to be resolved even when it’s not going at the pace you would like it too.

Oct 21 and Oct 22 On ground session

This past weekend was very informative. Lots of information was presented from Dr. Hauser, Lozano and Smith Law firm, and the attorney from Central Unified Kevin Toorosian.  The most insightful information was the presentation of Kevin Toorosian. His perspective presented the legalities of the district on dealing with discipline, attendance, and ed. code. Through all the courses I felt this is something we as a class should have spent more time covering, the ed. codes. His expertise covered a case scenario in which we as a class had to find the ed. code violations that specific student had broken based on his behavior, actions, and verbal comments.  It was pretty interesting to go through those steps.
Ebony

Chapter 4 - Competence

As I reflect I think about this chapter as the opportunity as a leader we must take time to reflect and think about things. This way we are not making rash and quick decisions on issues we have not thoroughly thought out. I have recognized I don't know everything. In fact when I teach courses on the college level I have stated, "I don't know everything, but I do know something." I'm not afraid to admit if I don't understand or if this is the first I have heard of it. I like the approach in the textbook. If you don't know then dive in and find out about it..

Chapter Three - Safety

I loved the sub title, "I've Got Your Back".  I have had this statement said to me many times and the people saying it truly have had my back.  This alone made me confident in my work and gave that secure filling that my leader trust me and the decisions I make.

The Bullying component of this chapter was interesting but also insightful. The bullying behaviors such as uninvited touching, lies, and two-faced behavior was something I never view as bullying. However I have observed and advised others.  Good thing for me I had parents who taught me to be quick at the tongue and actively vocal  in my on life I haven't had to deal with much of this behavior. The most frequent issues I get to deal with is the teenage girl isolation that will occur on the high school campus. As a club advisor I find myself trying to build skills in girls to stand up for themselves and just find an ounce of confidence.  I guess in a way that is a way I have made students feel safe by building up their confidence.

Chapter Two - Support

As a special education teacher support is something we live by. A teacher in this capacity needs to be established and be well connected with others on their site in order to have adequate support.

Reading this chapter made me think directly about my classroom. In special education you work with many district service providers, administration, the community, and families. Sometimes you don't always like the adults you work with. However in order to have a cohesive working environment you have to know your stuff much like the budget savvy principal in the chapter, be able to communicate the plan, and leave personal feelings out of it. Last but not least remember to be a servant leader, because that will make your a more effective leader. 

Chapter One and Two - Communication

Chapter One and Two dealt with the very basics of communications as a leader on a school campus. The fundamental sections that really caught my interest was this statement. The princpal is the keeper of the vision. This is a statement that I have never looked at this way. Yet, when you think about it. If the principal doesn't refer us back to this vision we as a cohesive group get away from it. The principal must ensure that we all work together as a team. Epecially when a school mus decide how to reach the goals we have estashbliehes. When the principal can communicate this. This is how the textbook states the principal will be precieved.
A. Believes in devloping common vision
B. Values, respet, and integry are in tact.
C. Caes about indiviuals and ight even challenge those who don't show respect and integrity
D. May give everyone help with their frustrations.

Week One Post - Drive

My reflection on the video is as follows.  The 3 levels of rewards  was very interesting especially when the task went from mechanical to cognitive.   The people receiving the highest reward  levels, performance went down.  I could definitely understand how this relates in the work world. Simple straight forward rewards are best because it keeps people hungry. Having those tiered rewards systems eventually will fail; because the ones on top will not have much to work for it they are already reaping the benefits.   What would be interesting is how those rewards would motivate teachers if they received monetary benefits based on test scores. It’s definitely something to think about.

Dan Pink’s perception of what drives people to perform successfully was clearly illustrated and spoken.  Mr. Pink stated that self autonomy was the best prescription that will allow people to use the conceptual creative thinking and produce good works.  When I compare this to teachers, I can see the same results. When a seasoned teacher is given the reigns to implement curriculum and use their best practices the motivation levels are much higher and students grades/test scores increase.  Self-autonomy leads with passion and a desire not to fail when you know that the ball in is your park.

Hello

Hi Everyone,
I'm a special education teacher with CUSD. I have been with my district 9 years. Currently I'm seeking to go into adminstration within the special education area. As this is my area of speciality and passion. Look forward to getting to know everyone.
Dr. Hailey