Today marks the end of an adventure! An adventure in new learning, challenge, and optimism. The culminating event of my last class towards my prelim admin credential was a simulated interview. I must admit I was not really nervous but certainly anxious to experience this! It was a great experience and I came away with some tools to help me as I pursue what lies ahead. My interviewer from Riverdale, Superintendent Pete Faragia, began the interview by asking 4-6 questions. These questions resulted in conversation which not only put me more at ease but allowed me to share more of who I am and what I believe about education. He then gave me the opportunity to ask questions of him about topics I feel might help in interviewing.
This blog completes my assignments...I must admit I am a little sad. It has been great to build relationships with the people in the cohort and the professors. Lhappy Holidays everyone!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Blog # 12.
The final capstone paper-what to say! Writing it seemed to take forever but at the same time I felt that I could have written more. I just barely began to explore what could be done to meet the goals stand could have read/researched so much more....I suppose as an administrator that is how it is-always so much more to explore. The refining process seems difficult!
I have to admit I enjoyed trying to figure out ways that my site could meet the challenges of a changing population and equip teachers to provide the best education possible for every child in the school.
Personal professional development- so much to choose from! When I think of my long term goal of working in the area of RTI or 504 at a district level I have to keep in mind that I need to be a member of an administrative team to get where I want to be. So as I developed my plans I looked at what would help me get to the next step which is most likely a GIS position as well as thinking about what would help me to develop more skill/knowledge for where I am now!
I will need to be a life ling learner if I want to be on the edge of what is current in education!
I have to admit I enjoyed trying to figure out ways that my site could meet the challenges of a changing population and equip teachers to provide the best education possible for every child in the school.
Personal professional development- so much to choose from! When I think of my long term goal of working in the area of RTI or 504 at a district level I have to keep in mind that I need to be a member of an administrative team to get where I want to be. So as I developed my plans I looked at what would help me get to the next step which is most likely a GIS position as well as thinking about what would help me to develop more skill/knowledge for where I am now!
I will need to be a life ling learner if I want to be on the edge of what is current in education!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Budget Inventory Reflection!
I finally finished his assignment! It felt like it took way too long for me to obtain the information I needed. Some of which was finding the time to ask the questions I needed answers to of my busy principal and GIS! I have been a,ember of a School Site Council off and on as a parent or a staff member for over 20 years (many of which I served as the chairperson). Needless to say I am familiar with the budget process at my school site.
As always the main focus is doing what is best for ALL students and in teasing test scores to maintain necessary growth. The focus at Cedarwood this year is manly on our subgroups that did not meet their AYP last year. One of these subgroups is our growing SED population so much consideration has been given to wise expenditure of funds to train staff and provide necessary support services for this population.
I am struck by how little discretionary funding our site has. We are not yet a Title I school so we receive limited funds. Out administration has to be very creative in finding ways to get the most out of each dollar to benefit the most. It is quite a challenge and it promises to be increasingly more of a challenge with new budget constraints looming in the future!
As always the main focus is doing what is best for ALL students and in teasing test scores to maintain necessary growth. The focus at Cedarwood this year is manly on our subgroups that did not meet their AYP last year. One of these subgroups is our growing SED population so much consideration has been given to wise expenditure of funds to train staff and provide necessary support services for this population.
I am struck by how little discretionary funding our site has. We are not yet a Title I school so we receive limited funds. Out administration has to be very creative in finding ways to get the most out of each dollar to benefit the most. It is quite a challenge and it promises to be increasingly more of a challenge with new budget constraints looming in the future!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Personnel, Finances and listening...
It was quite a mix of topics during our last class sessions together! The human resource panel on Friday night did not really bring any new information but new perceptions about responsibilities of a school administrator. What has stuck with me throughout all of the classes because it was said by all of our professors is that you better make sure you hire the right people and if it turns out they aren't the right one don't be afraid to let them go before they are tenured! Do the right thing and take your time-check references and talk to them both formally and informally!
I thought the session with the CADA presenters was informative and well done. It kept my interest and caused me to self examine my behaviors when in a discussion- do I take time to listen or am I always needing to jump in and say something? I am a strong believer in involvement for students not only does it increase their academics but it keeps them off the street and out of trouble!
I have to admit that the thought of hearing about budget and finance for the entire day on Saturday did not really excite me! But I was surprised at how interesting it was to learn about the many facets of finance and budget within the public school system. I appreciated hearing about the history of how we get funding (and yes I did vote on prop 13 back in 1978-that is how old I am) and what the current laws are and how the "trigger" will affect us all. It is a sad note that K-12 education is the place that takes the biggest cuts and gets the most criticism. I also appreciated Dr. Bradley's insights on what a Superintendent expects from his principals and what a principal could expect from the superintendent.
There is much to absorb and consider when putting in an application for an administrative position. Even with all this great information the bottom line is we must always do what is best for kids, no matter what it takes. We can each make a huge difference in the students, families, and colleagues in our lives! What an awesome responsibility and a great challenge there is for us today and in the future!
I am sad that we have had our last face to face meeting in the Clovis cohort! I have enjoyed being a part of this family and wish everyone the beat! I will miss learning from each of you?
I thought the session with the CADA presenters was informative and well done. It kept my interest and caused me to self examine my behaviors when in a discussion- do I take time to listen or am I always needing to jump in and say something? I am a strong believer in involvement for students not only does it increase their academics but it keeps them off the street and out of trouble!
I have to admit that the thought of hearing about budget and finance for the entire day on Saturday did not really excite me! But I was surprised at how interesting it was to learn about the many facets of finance and budget within the public school system. I appreciated hearing about the history of how we get funding (and yes I did vote on prop 13 back in 1978-that is how old I am) and what the current laws are and how the "trigger" will affect us all. It is a sad note that K-12 education is the place that takes the biggest cuts and gets the most criticism. I also appreciated Dr. Bradley's insights on what a Superintendent expects from his principals and what a principal could expect from the superintendent.
There is much to absorb and consider when putting in an application for an administrative position. Even with all this great information the bottom line is we must always do what is best for kids, no matter what it takes. We can each make a huge difference in the students, families, and colleagues in our lives! What an awesome responsibility and a great challenge there is for us today and in the future!
I am sad that we have had our last face to face meeting in the Clovis cohort! I have enjoyed being a part of this family and wish everyone the beat! I will miss learning from each of you?
Monday, October 31, 2011
Empower, instill confidence, and encourage
This chapter just sums it all up confirming that the key to great leadership is building positive relationships. As leaders we can make a difference in so many lives.empowering teachers with positive coaching, encouragement, and recognition of the great things accomplished leads to empowerment of students to strive to do their best which leads to building positive relationships with the community! We have an awesome responsibility and am amazing opportunity to make a difference in many lives!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Information overload!!!!!
Wow! I am overwhelmed by the amount of information I received in then short period of time we were together! It will certainly take some tome to process it all in order to use it wisely.
While listening to the law presentation on Friday night I felt right at home. My husband has been a county prosecutor for most of our married life so law talk is familiar to me. Now my daughter is interning at SSSA in CUSD so lots of our conversations are about educational law. I found myself comparing what I know about criminal law with what was being presented to us in educational law. A little mind boggling! The challenges we face in the schools with the technology that is changing daily are enormous. I am more than concerned with the availability of cell phones, etc. and the ease with which our young people can use these electronically devices to achieve not so desirable things. Cyber bullying and stalking are a reality for all ages and certainly do affect the students in our schools.
My key learning from Dr.Hauser included the time it should involve to prepare for a meeting and the detailed information that should be included in the agenda. This os something I will incorporate immediately into my leadership roles in different places. What a great presentation and very useful!
Dr. Torosian's presentation confirmed knowledge gained and hilt on what I know a out expulsion. What an important job he has and what. Difference he can make in lives. His closing remarks were true and to betaken to heart. We have the power to change lives in building relationships!
FRISK! I have been in supervisory positions in other fields and personnel issues are always difficult. There is no way to make it easy. Sticking to the facts and having evidence is the best practice.
Change, yes as Dr.Buster shared it is hard but it is necessary. And oh how voting life would be without it! I love to learn and fry new things which often gets me into trouble with my colleagues but the responsibility I have as a teacher to provide the best possible education for each student is large and serious one. To do the best we must always be looking and learning new information. It is certainly messy and chaotic from time to time but a necessary part of our lives as leaders in education.
While listening to the law presentation on Friday night I felt right at home. My husband has been a county prosecutor for most of our married life so law talk is familiar to me. Now my daughter is interning at SSSA in CUSD so lots of our conversations are about educational law. I found myself comparing what I know about criminal law with what was being presented to us in educational law. A little mind boggling! The challenges we face in the schools with the technology that is changing daily are enormous. I am more than concerned with the availability of cell phones, etc. and the ease with which our young people can use these electronically devices to achieve not so desirable things. Cyber bullying and stalking are a reality for all ages and certainly do affect the students in our schools.
My key learning from Dr.Hauser included the time it should involve to prepare for a meeting and the detailed information that should be included in the agenda. This os something I will incorporate immediately into my leadership roles in different places. What a great presentation and very useful!
Dr. Torosian's presentation confirmed knowledge gained and hilt on what I know a out expulsion. What an important job he has and what. Difference he can make in lives. His closing remarks were true and to betaken to heart. We have the power to change lives in building relationships!
FRISK! I have been in supervisory positions in other fields and personnel issues are always difficult. There is no way to make it easy. Sticking to the facts and having evidence is the best practice.
Change, yes as Dr.Buster shared it is hard but it is necessary. And oh how voting life would be without it! I love to learn and fry new things which often gets me into trouble with my colleagues but the responsibility I have as a teacher to provide the best possible education for each student is large and serious one. To do the best we must always be looking and learning new information. It is certainly messy and chaotic from time to time but a necessary part of our lives as leaders in education.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Trust and Respect Chapter 6. Leadership Connections
".....As leaders first and foremost we have to respect everyone. I believe that in order to gain trust we must respect the students, the parents, our colleagues, and our superiors at our schools. In order to respect we will need to understand where the person comes from and what is going on in ther lives. It is hard work! We might need to make a home visit, to research a culture or attend a cultural event. We may need to learn more about living in poverty or even living with wealth. Once respect is established trust can be built through caring. Trust is a fragile thing and we need to watch our words and actions still working hard to keep that trust. Only when respect and trust are established can we truly work as a team to help each child succeed. I appreciated this chapter and in reading it was made aware again of how easily we can perceive or feel betrayed. We need to protect our relationships as leaders!
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