by: shorena dolaberidze. to research the role and job requirements of the leaders on different...

EDAD 670: PRACTICUM IN EDUCATIONAL

ADMINISTRATIONFALL 2012By: Shorena Dolaberidze

GOALS: To research the role and job

requirements of the Leaders on different positions.

To hear about various perspectives on Leadership.

To observe Leadership in practice by hearing about the achievements, challenges, decisions and actions, that Leaders implement.

TO MEET THE GOALS, IDid interviews with: Acting and former Principals Vice principal Superintendant Community Education Directors and an Assistant

Director Dean School Advocate English Language Development

Specialist Coordinator in Special Education Division

Shadowing Vice Principal at Tech High School, Stacie Vos

Community Education Director, Shawn Hoffman- Bram

SAMPLE OF SOME INTERVIEW QUESTIONS What do you consider to be your weaknesses as an administrator? What do you consider to be your greatest strengths as an administrator? How do you keep your staff motivated? Could you tell about one of the successful story? How do you encourage creative thinking within your organization? Which is most important to your organization—mission, core values or vision? How do you help a new employee understand the culture of your organization? What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess? What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today? What is one mistake you witness leaders making more frequently than others? What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain

insight into becoming a better leader? What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the

first time? What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader? Who is your role model person?

OUTCOMES:

Leaders

Problem solvers

Sociable

Good listeners

cheering

empathetic

Courageous

Great learners

Actors/actresses

Hard working

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WILL ALWAYS STAY IN MY MIND: How important a positive climate at

school is Feedback and Dialogue, as means of

promoting creative thinking Listening… Listening… Listening Being positive to relieve stress Some of the problem solving strategies Couching and team building Recognizing staff performance Being Visible

SOME OF THE BEST PHRASES I HEARD:

Tolerance is a word that we need to have in our mind every moment. We should let kids to be themselves, if two girls hold hands, don' t talk about their lesbian attitude. Who cares about it.

We spent most of the time at work, so we should choose profession according to our interest, not earning etc

My mentor gave me a confidence of being wrong. I am never afraid to acknowledge, whenever I do wrong. Every person makes mistakes.

If people do not have a voice they can't grow. In my past it was more listening and reading, today if teachers do not have the voice they stop growing.

There is not right or wrong, if you are angry and I only say, that I am right, that doesn't make you happy. But listening and analyzing will make you feel relieved.

I always had an ability to put the things in the perspectives. I am healthy, happy and have a wonderful wife. I got up and l had coffee, I said, what a wonderful weather. We are Attitude-posters, that means we create out attitude. There are so many jobs, that could be worse.

IDEAS THAT SURPRISED ME: Ignore weaknesses. Weaknesses can’t

be changed Children don’t feel cared and loved that

much as in old days People expect you to be an expert

WEAKNESSES Confidence in making independent

judgment sometimes

CHALLENGES THAT LEADERS FACE: Budget and resources Children’s needs, unlimited needs Meetings Personnel/staff management Public concern about Education When government initiates leaders have

to bring and tell teachers to do so, even though they themselves are not sure about the initiative.

Building Capacity

LEADERS THINK

Leadership is: Having overall vision, mission and goals in the

organization. Putting people in the places where they can

succeed. Having expectation and Facilitations. Player’s coach, acting behind the scene. Ability to take other people’s perspectives. Praise in public and criticize in private. Believing in capacity building. Having courage to say whatever you think and

look staff into the organization’s perspective.

EXPERT LEADERS’ ADVICE FOR THE NEW LEADERS Collaborate with principals and

administrative staff/interact with colleagues

Identify leaders in your team, in a group. How do they get views, watching their behavior in the group.

Marizzano work and some of the research around RTI (Response to Intervention).

Have a good mentor Being positive Build Leadership team around you

FOLLOW UP Observing Superintendent Have two more interviews with the

Community Education Coordinator – Bill Blackmore and Erin Hatlestad, who is a principal at Private Catholic School.

QUESTIONS

Thanks for your attention