Reflections, Career Goals and Leadership Goals - 5399

Reflections:

In reflecting on my post assessment, I truly believe I have learned a great deal. I have grown in so many areas.  I have a deeper knowledge of each of the competency areas.  In six of the ten areas I have developed into the strength category.  In the remaining four areas I feel competent with the knowledge and skills.  There are still some indicators that I can improve my knowledge and skills, but overall I believe I now have a working knowledge of what is truly expected of a superintendent and the leadership that this role will require. In Domain I, Leadership of the Educational Community, I made the greatest improvement in Competency Areas 2 and 3. Communication is one of my strengths, and I have learned how important this tool is in the area of educational leadership.  In the second Domain, Instructional Leadership, the areas of curriculum, assessment, accountability, professional growth and performance are now comfortable. I know the importance of each and will work to continue to become more learned in each.  Domain Three, Administrative Leadership is the domain of which I still need to improve.  District budgeting, financial management and technology applications are areas I still need to expand my understanding and applications. I will continue to challenge myself in the indicators within this competency.  The many activities what I have been required to complete and the knowledge that I have acquired from my superintendent, central office staff, faculty, community, cohort group and Lamar staff has provided me with a true working knowledge of what leadership entails and I look forward to the opportunities that are ahead.

Career Position:

 Education has been my career for over 25 years.  I began as an elementary classroom teacher, and then I helped design, implement and teach the gifted and talented program.  After teaching for 18 years, I began my administration road. I was an elementary assistant principal for 7 years and am now in my first year as an elementary principal. I believe that each position I have held provided me with experiences that continue to make me better at what I do today. Each position contained roles that needed communication, community relations, professional development, curriculum, budget management, and building maintenance. All these areas are necessary in the positions of leadership.  As I moved from one position to another, I continued to learn and grow.  In my current leadership position, the classes for superintendent have provided many connections and opportunities to develop and expand my leadership skills.  I am very excited about my current leadership position.  I have already implemented much of the knowledge that I have learned through my classes.  I can see many correlations between campus leadership and district leadership.  I have always been able to communicate and have a style that makes people comfortable yet accountable. In looking into my future, I see myself developing into a strong building principal. I want to continue to challenge my staff and students to be all that they can be. I like to celebrate the best in others. As for a central office position, the Director of Human Resources is one position of interest to me. I enjoyed learning more about this position. I am a people person and believe I could be a good leader in this position. The position of superintendent holds much responsibility. I observed that to be a good leader it is important to also have a qualified team that works with you.  That team means everybody! We are doing a book study on the book called the Energy Bus (Gordon, 2003) that focuses on teamwork and ways to be your best in whatever you do. Each position we hold helps us learn and grow. I believe our experiences teach and prepare us on how be better for the next experience.  I love my district and have worked here for 20 years.  I will continue to contribute my all to whatever position I hold. I look forward to each day and will continue to challenge myself to be all that I can be. In turn, I will also lead and challenge those around me to do the same.

Leadership Goals:

•  One of the reasons I chose to participate in the superintendence certification program was to develop my skills in the area of leadership.  This is my first year as a building principal and the skills of leadership through the program have helped me see the overall role as a leader.  I have truly been able to apply the transition theory. All the areas of competencies have provided me with exposure to all the different areas of leadership that a superintendent needs to apply. It has also shown me that any area of leadership requires many of the same needs and responsibilities. In my role as a leader, no matter what title the leadership role holds, my greatest accomplishment will be guiding others to be all they can be in whatever position they hold.  I believe in education and have dedicated over 25 years to this profession.  I continue to search for ways to improve the areas of education that I have the privilege to be involved. One of the areas that I see as strength is the ability to listen. To me, that is one of leader’s greatest assets. I also have a heart for encouragement. I want those who work with me to be risk takers. I want them to strife to offer each and every student the best education we can offer each day by offering the best of themselves.  I, in turn, will do the same.  I am a lifelong learner.  I challenge myself to learn, to grow, to create, to motivate, to enrich, to achieve, to succeed. As a leader, I will challenge others to do the same. One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received came from a 90 year old gentleman who was making a speech to one of my kindergarten classes.  He told us if you want to be successful you have to know how to get along with people. That truly is one of the key factors of being a true leader for me…no matter what position you hold.