Final Blog

I can't believe it-we are done! We made it! And today's interview was way more enjoyable than I anticipated! The mock interview provided great practice (although I treated it as the real deal) and the feedback I received was very helpful. I'm not too into talking myself up, but I was encouraged to focus on my educational accomplishments and while it may seem like bragging to me, it's what a interviewee needs to know! Overall, it was a very positive experience!

Ok friends- it's time to put it all together! I've gained so much knowledge, insight, and effective leadership tools! It's been fun, but I'm glad it's over! Good job, Me! Good job, You!

Capstone Reflection

As I worked on this assignment it was apparent that as educators in order to ensure that ALL children learn there are some important decisions that need to be made....first and foremost, being "real" about the sites current reality is the first step in moving our team in the right direction. Let's not sugar-coat anything: what's working? What isn't? Who's gaining from what we are doing, and who isn't? Let's face it, change isn't easy, but it's essential for continuous growth and improvement. We are so fortunate that at Oraze everything is "new" and everyone is changing together. New intervention program, new Avenues instruction program, new leadership, etc. Nothing is "the way it's always been done". It's a great opportunity for our staff to share our various experiences (from the different sites we all come from), to learn from one another, to challenge each other, to support one another and to ALWAYS hold tight to doing what's best for kids when making decisions (financcial, staffing, interventions, etc.) for the future of our students. If we are all open to change and progressing we'll be successful!

Budget Reflection

As the Resource Teacher,with quite a bit of GIS duties,I have some experience of dealing with our scot budget; however I do not manage or deal with it directly. I am involved in administrative discussions and decision making on how to use our money to best meet the needs of the students in our community. I did find it interesting that we have designated quite a bit of our money in two main categories- instructional supplies and intervention teachers (including my salary). I know that the more I'm involved in the process of deciding how best to meet the needs of our students with the money designated, the more knowledgable and confident I will feel about managing the budget.

Face 2 Face November

Another informative face to face meeting. I feel like we are getting to the "nuts and bolts" of the job responsibilities of an administrator.....the behind the scenes "stuff" we don't see as teachers. I really enjoyed listening to the three HR representatives from Clovis, Visalia, and Sanger. While they all shared differently, the underlying message heard loud and clear is who you hire is a reflection on you....as an administrator, I will have to ensure that who I hire is the best fit for the students we serve, the mission and vision of the school and district, and someone who is willing to meet the high expectations.
The CADA group led us through some great listening activities- to be honest, I consider myself rather personable, but the activities were a challenge that night. It wasn't about being able to carry a great conversation, but rather listening with respect. A great lesson to carry with me and practice often throughout my career.
Listening to Dr. Bradley speak about budget was very informative. In my current position as the Resource Teacher, I don't deal with the site budget but am in on many conversations about it. The information shared was something that will be helpful as I move into administrative duties that may require me to tend to the budget. Biggest message I received: site principal is responsible for how money is spent, even if someone else is overseeing it.keep yourself "in the know" on a regular basis.
Another informative meeting. Thanks Dr.Buster, Dr. Wise & Dr. Darrow..

Leadership Connectors: Putting it all Together

As I read through this book, it was very clear how all connectors were linked together. It is apparent that with clear communication, support of staff, providing a safe working and learning enviornment, proving competency, allowing for continuous renewal and growth, and trusting your staff a leader will prove to be effective.The book certainly provided me an opportunity to reflect on what kind of a leader I want to be. I want to be the type of leader that I hear others saying great things about: "She's wonderful!", "I feel so supported and respected!", and "She makes my job easier and more enjoyable." I hope that as I cross into the leadership role I am able to provide the key elements of an effective leader.
I think the thing I gained the most from was to be a reflective leader.... looking back on my day, my week, my month, my year and asking myself, "What went well? What needs to be improved? What can I do differently next time?" is a great opportunity to grow and learn as a leader. I have always reflected as a teacher, and year after year challenged myself to grow and change. Now that I am in a leadership postion it's important to continue this reflection.
From this particular chapter the biggest learning for me: "Always remember to think before you speak and act. You dont' have to always say or do something immediatly. Give it a little thought, determine the consequences and reactions, and then respond proactively." Throughout my courses, this message has been delivered over and over again....LISTEN- THINK-RESPOND.

October Face-to-Face

Our time together was very informative. I especially enjoyed listening to Dr. Linda Hauser share with us how to hold effective meetings. Being in a position where part of my job duties include providing support and staff training/developement to our teachers, this was so enlightening. I felt that Dr. Hauser provided us with great ideas, tools, and insight on how to get the most from those meetings. I will definitely share this knowledge with my principal as we prepare for our next staff meeting.
I really enjoyed hearing from Kevin Torosian. He was straight forward and  the information he shared was so helpful. Although I am limited right now as to what disciplinary actions I can and cannot enforce, I'm only months away from being an administrator on site that will have to refer to Ed Code for suspensions and may one day go through the process of expelling a student. Currently, I meet with students who are referred to the office and I do make parent phone calls and issue consequences, however, my prinicipal still handles all suspensions. I am fortunate that she also has me sit with her as she explains the Ed Code violation, preparing paperwork, and parent notification. I am receiving great guidance and training in an area that I need to feel more confident about. Kevin was able to provide some sound advice, explain procedures and protocol as to how to handle those tough disciplinary occurances.
The time in class was a bit of a reality check for me.....we are only months away from completion, this is the serious stuff we need to know to be effective leaders at our sites. I'm excited for the challenge and can't wait to move on to the next level!

Leadership Connectors, Trust

The big TRUST word.....the foundation to any kind of relationship. I've always said, "if you want to get rid if me, lie to me or destroy my trust in you, and I'm gone". That's how serious I take trust- and I am assuming others as well. When I was a teacher in the classroom, my friends and I watched many colleagues move up into administrative positions. We would then place bets on how long it would take before each person would forget what it's like in the classroom- and now that I think back, maybe we really wondering was how long would it take before we lost trust in that person?? As part of the administrative team at my site, it is top priority that I establish and maintain trust. I need them to know that when they need me, I'll be there and as a result, when I need them they will be there. Before opening our doors to our brand new school, our staff sat together and had a great conversation about how we wanted to feel when we walked onto campus. We listed all input...bottom line: trusted, supported, heard, safe...everything we've been reading about. One teacher even changed the Golden Rule: "treat others the way THEY want to be treated." - a little more to think about in how we treat each others.

Leadership Connector:Continuous Renewal

Well, this chapter certainly gave me much to think about. . . Myself and how to balance my life. I know that I don't, or haven't, taken much time to take care of myself since I began the cohort. I have let my priorities change. It has been a difficult journey trying to balance job, school, mommy, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. I love my new position as a leader- the relationships that are being built with teachers and staff, the new things I learn each day from my mentor about leading, and of course the students that are excited when I walk in their classroom to "hang out" for a bit. I love that my family and friends have become my biggest cheerleaders and, like me, can't wait to have one less plate on the table as I near the end of my studies. I have tried to keep my life organized and prioritize tasks so im not stressed at the last minute. The section on emotions validated many feelings I have had since starting my position. I really have had to focus on what makes me happy, what makes me tick, ect. What makes me happy is laughter.....plain and simple. Laughter is therapy for me....I feel all my stress escape me when I laugh, and so I seek the laughter (at work it's the playground, at home my family surrounds me with laughter, and my friends).
Ok- so, I know my busy schedule is not an excuse, but I am so busy I need an extra hour in my day to exercise! Once I am done with all this coursework, I'm re-activating my gym membership- promise! :-)

Leadership Connectors: Competence

     Well, this chapter certainly grabbed my interest. In my new position as part of the administrative team (Resource Teacher with GIS duties), I found much of this chapter helpful and reassuring. As I go through my days learning my new job, there are times when I question if I am doing a good job and am I providing the teachers with the support they need? After reading, I am confident that I am doing my job well and learning what/ how I will change so that I may perform my job even better.
     I am so fortunate to have an amazing principal and mentor who continues to guide me and teach me what I need to know and do to be an effective leader. I have made mistakes, and as tough as it is to admit when I've done something wrong, I've also used that opportunity as a learning and growing moment. In my position, I have already come across MANY times when I just don't know the answer - - but I am calling on people I trust who can direct me to the answer, so that I may continue to support our team. I want to be a good administrator, and so I must pay attention to those around me: listen, observe, reflect, analyze, refer to my mentors, make mistakes, learn from my mistakes, and make necessary changes. Fortunately, I love to learn. I was raised to be an independent, hard worker and to never give-up, never stop learning, never turn down an opportunity to challenge myself and grow. The words "I can't" or "I don't know" were not allowed in my home as a child, nor are they allowed in my home as a parent. As a teacher in the classroom, we followed those same rules, and my students were successful year after year..... seems now more than ever, I  am living by those words on a daily basis as I continue this path of learning my to become a successful leader. I can do this! I will learn how, I will find out, I will try, I will be the best I can be.

Leadership Connector, Safety

Everyone has the need to feel safe; physically, emotionally and psychologically safe. When we feel safe, we free ourselves to become complex and reflective thinkers. As a leader, it is my job to reassure the teachers, staff, students, and parents that our school is a safe place to be. Just as a teacher desires and reassures her students to feel safe, an administrator should handle the teachers in the same manner. We require our teachers to show up each day and perform amazing tasks....if there isn't a sense of safety and it is something that weighs heavy on their minds, they will not be free to successfully accomplish all that we need them to.
I see how these leadership connectors intertwine with one another. When a staff receives clear communication, feels supported, and safe they also feel valued. They are able to become more productive and creative at their profession. They begin to trust their leaders and know they are there to cheer them on. When these leadership connectors are in place, leaders are then allowed to further develop those skills desired by the staff.
After teaching for 17 years, I am thrilled to say that I have worked for amazing leaders who have always made me feel safe: safe from physical harm, safe to try new instructional strategies, safe to make mistakes, safe to speak, safe to share, safe to ask questions. I believe that because I am a risk taker, I need to know that it's ok if things don't go as planned, or if I hit a bump in the road...I can continue on and overcome. It's our job as educators and leaders to allow our fellow teachers to feel the same, so that they, in turn, can lead the students in the same manner.

Leadership Connecter, Support

In This chapter the text discusses the importance of support: financial, material, emotional, and human/ moral support. Everyone needs to feel valued and as a leader one of the most effective ways to show value is to support your staff so that they may help guide the students and school toward success. A leader who shows support will yield positive results.
As a leader it is important for me to provide whatever kind of support the staff needs. I often ask my teachers for their input on how a particular system is working, or if they have suggestions on improving a procedure. I want them to know that I value their ideas and am willing to adjust- it's not just about what I think they need, its about what they KNOW they need. Teachers are the most important asset at the school site, therefor it's essential that there is open communication,where support is provided, and a safe and trusting working environment. As one of our site's leaders my goal is to maintain visibility in classrooms, out on the playground, and greeting students and parents upon arrival each day. Not only does this reinforce the support necessary, but also solidifies and builds relationships.

Leadership Connectors: Communication

      Although I am just beginning to read our assigned course text, Leadership Connectors: Six Keys to Developing Relationships in Schools, I am finding the book to be an easy and applicable read. Chapter 1: "Leadership Connector, Communication" has been especially interesting, as I am now put into a leadership/ administrative role as our school's Resource Teacher with GIS duties. A significant portion of the staff at my site are close teacher friends of mine, and so the porton of the chapter that discusses the teacher that moves into administration and how old friends begin to edit what they say, and as a new administrator, edit what is said to teacher friends was very important for me to take in (I must have read it three times over). It is very important to me, that although I am in an administrative position now, to let my friends know that I still value them and will continue to support their expertise and friendship, even if I am bound to confidentiality.
     As an administrator at a new school facility, I find great importance in believing in our school's vision and feel that communicating my expectations for the staff , believing in them, and trusting that they will meet the expections has proven successful thus far.  Our school opened its doors just 3 weeks ago, and because of positive and effective communication from the leadership team and our ability to listen to the needs and expectations, to openly discuss our shared vision, our beliefs, and begin to establish our school culture together our teachers and staff have been able to pull-off the opening of a new school smoothly and effortlessly. So smooth, in fact, that the administrative team, the teachers, staff, and parents have all noticed that the from the first day of school we've operated like we had all been there for years. I believe it was the open communication amoungst the staff that allowed this amazing start to the school year to occur.
    I belive in the power of positive thinking! I know that if you dream it and believe in it; great things will happen. Of course, this doesn't mean it will happen magically - there are goals to put into place, and steps to reach those goals. The section that discusses a positive tone of respect and "holding tight to a positive belief will develop roots and branches." At our school, without a doubt, the seeds have been planted and are already sprouting - - great things are going to happen at Clovis Unified's newest elementary school! It is part of my job to keep positive communication  and reinforcement going. I find that I am becoming our staffs biggest cheerleader and they are responding to it!
     Listening is a skill that must be practiced before achieving perfection. When I hear someone complaining, my first instinct is to help them solve their problem, and I certainly can if need be. However, I must remember that often times, a staff member or parent, just wants to be heard. "A hopeful administrator is likely to fram the situation as an opportunity, a challenge to be persued...." I know how great I feel when I've overcome an obstacle, so it's my goal to guide my staff to do the same. Not that I'm not willing to help them, because I have told them time and time again, that my job is to make their job a bit easier, but to I need to involve them in active participants in solving a problem or issue. In this way, a sense of ownership and pride will become established and will result in continued professional and personal growth.
    I am fortunate, in that I have a great mentor, my principal who demonstrates daily amazing communication skills with the students, staff, parents, and community. I have much to learn, and am fortunate to have such a great role model to guide me as we establish our school's foundation building upon it trust, value, and high expectations.

Pink Reflection

Daniel Pink Drive Video Reflection

           After viewing the Daniel Pink Drive video, I'd like to take some time to briefly reflect. I strongly believe that we as educators did not go into the field of education to become rich. We entered the field because we wanted to make a difference in the lives of children. In education there's always the latest, the greatest ways to improve student achievement. I believe that teachers are motivated by facts or proof. Teachers just need to be willing to "try" something new - - if what is being used isn't working, it's time to try something new. As a leader, when the desire to implement something new at my site I must provide my staff with short simple readings, research that backs what I want to implement, and discussion that includes shared input on how implementation may look. I strongly believe that most people strive with praise. Build them up, encourage, support, recruit them as leaders, and become their cheerleaders as they begin to take steps in the desired direction.

First Post

Well, Hello Cohort Friends,
This Blog gig should be interesting and something new and challenging. I've never even considered creating a blog - so, we'll see how this all goes!
Pam