educational administration professional...

EducationalAdministrationProfessionalPortfolio

Master’sinEducationEducationalAdministration

PresentedtoConcordiaUniversitySeward,Nebraska

LisaHollandJune6,2011

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TableofContents

TableofContents ...............................................................................................2

Vita ....................................................................................................................3

ProfessionalResume..........................................................................................4

LetterofRecommendation.................................................................................5

PhilosophyofEducationStatement.................................................................... 6

PromotingtheSuccessofEveryLearner .............................................................7

ProfessionalDevelopmentPlan..........................................................................8

DocumentationofPracticumHours.................................................................... 9

PracticumAppraisalForm ................................................................................ 34

SummaryofLearning ....................................................................................... 35

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VitaofPersonalandProfessionalEducationExperiencePartI:PersonalandProfessionalHistory IwasborninOmaha,NebraskaandgrewupintheOmahaarea.FromkindergartenthroughhighschoolIattendedschoolsinMillard,GretnaandOmahaPublicSchoolsDistricts.In1987IgraduatedfromOmahaBurkeHighSchoolandbeganmystudiesatCreightonUniversity.Attheageof16,IbeganworkingatPeonyPark,alocalamusementpark,asarideoperator.IkeptthatjobthroughhighschoolandcollegeuntilIreceivedmyfirstteachingjob.ThroughmyyearsIwaspromotedfromrideoperatortoridesupervisorandeventuallytoparkmanager.Thesepositionsgavemetheopportunitytointeractthepublic,respondtocustomercomplaints,monitorandevaluateemployeesanddealwiththemedia.Iwasfortunatethatmysupervisorsattheparkwereconsiderateofmyschoolscheduleandencouragedmetopursueacareerinteaching. In1991IgraduatedfromCreightonUniversitywithaBachelorofScienceinElementaryEducationandmarriedJimHolland.IacceptedajoboffertoteachatSt.Peter’sasmallCatholicschoolwhilemanyofmyfriendsheldoutforoffersfrombiggerdistricts.Teachinginaschoolofonly75studentsgavemetheopportunitytousealloftheclassesIhadbeenrequiredtotakeincollege,includingseveralIneverthoughtIwouldusesuchasmusicandP.E.However,afteroneyearthehecticscheduleofteachingpreschoolforfour‐year‐oldsthreemorningsaweek,preschoolforthree‐year‐oldstwomorningsaweekandkindergarteneachafternoonencouragedmetoapplyelsewhere.MynextpositionwasatSt.Bernadette’s,amuchlargerCatholicschoolwithabout325students.IremainedatSt.Bernadettethroughsixyearsandthebirthofmytwochildren.DuringmyyearsatSt.BernadetteItaughtsecondandthirdgrade.In1998IacceptedafourthgradepositionwiththeOmahaPublicSchoolsDistrict.Itaughtfourthgradeforthreeyearsbeforetransferringtosecondgrade.PartII:PresentPosition Currently,IamasecondgradeteacheratColumbianElementary,locatedintheOmahaPublicSchoolDistrictinOmaha,NE.IaminmytenthyearatColumbianatthisgradelevel.AsaclassroomteacherIworkwithstudentsonallcoreacademicsubjectsincludingreading,writing,math,scienceandsocialstudies.Iworkwithstudentsfromvariedeconomic,social,andreligiousbackgrounds.Ourofficialdiversitydata,whichoftenfocusesonraceandeconomics,doesnotadequatelyreflectthetruediversitypresentinourbuildingincludingthearrayofreligiousbeliefsand“non‐traditional”homessuchassame‐sexparents.WhilenearlythirtypercentofColumbian’sstudentsparticipateintheTalentedandGiftedprogram,aboutsevenpercentreceivespecialeducationservices. Inadditiontomyclassroomduties,thisyearIamalsotheInstructionalFacilitatorandtheInfiniteCampusTrainerformybuilding.AstheInstructionalFacilitatorIworkwithdistrictleaderstobringcurriculuminformationandprofessionaldevelopmenttotheteachersatColumbian.Ialsoworkwithteachersasweimplementstandardsbasedgradingandenterthosegradesthroughanonlinegradebookthatisviewedbyparents.

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7712PasadenaAve. (402)393‐4654Omaha,NE68124 [email protected]

LisaD.Holland

TeachingObjective ToacquireapositioninK‐12educationspecializingasan

instructionalfacilitator.

Education September2009–June2011 ConcordiaUniversity,Seward,NE Master’sDegreeinEducationalAdministration August1987‐May1991 CreightonUniversity,Omaha,NE Bachelor'sDegreeinElementaryEducationWorkExperience ElementaryEducator

OmahaPublicSchools–ColumbianElementarySecondGrade/InstructionalFacilitator,August2010‐PresentSecondGrade/AcademicDataRepresentative,August2008‐August2010SecondGrade,August2000‐August2008FourthGrade,August1998‐August2000

ClassroomTeacherOmahaArchdiocese–SaintBernadetteSchoolThirdGrade,August1995‐August1998SecondGrade,August1992‐August1995

ClassroomTeacher OmahaArchdiocese‐SaintPeter’sElementary Kindergarten,August1991‐August1992 Preschool,August1991‐August1992ExtracurricularActivities InfiniteCampusTeacherCoach(2010‐2011)SchoolYear SafeandSecureDisciplinedSchoolsTeamMember

ExcelsPlusTeamMemberSciencePointofContact MathSolutionsWorkshop

KimSuttonMathWorkshops K‐2MathematicsAssessmentPilot TerraNovaAssessmentPilot

References Availableuponrequest

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PhilosophyofEducationStatement

Quitesimply,Ibelievethatallstudentsarecapableoflearning.Idonotbelieveallstudentslearninthesameway,atthesamerate,orhaveequalinterestinallsubjects.Learningneedstobefocusedonthestudent,relevantandapplicabletoourdemocraticsocietyanddiverseculture.Forthesereasons,Idonotsubscribetoasinglephilosophyofeducation.Todosowoulddenystudentsaccesstophilosophiesthatmayencouragethemtoreachtheirmaximumacademic,social,emotionalandcitizenshippotential.Instead,IfeelIrepresentamixofphilosophiesthatworktogethertoencouragestudentstobecomecitizenswhowillcontributepositivelytoourcontinuouslyevolvingsociety. Idobelievethatlearningshouldbemostlystudentcentered.Schoolsexistforthestudentsandforsocietyasawhole,notfortheteacher.Idobelievestudentsneedacorebaseofknowledgetofunctionproductivelyinsociety.HoweverIdobelievebeyondthebasicsofreading,writing,math,andthehistoryofdemocracyintheUnitedStates,andwheretofindreliableinformation,studentsneedchoices.Withacoreofknowledgestudentscanmakechoicesthatwillenhancetheirfuturebeitprofessional,technical,vocational,philanthropic,parentaloramixture.

Studentsneedtoseetherelevanceinwhattheyarelearningandhowitappliestotheirfuture.Theyneedtobeactiveparticipantswhodonoteverwonder,willIusethislaterinlife.Instead,theyneedtobegiventheopportunitytochooseacourseofstudybasedontheirinterestsandfutureplans.Whiletheseplanscanchangeovertime,ifstudentshavebasicskillsandtheabilitytolocateinformationachangeinacourseofstudyisnotdetrimental.Whenstudentsviewlearningasmeaningful,newinformationisinternalizedandcanbeappliedtonewsituations.

Lastly,Idobelievethatstudentsneedtobeawareoftheworldaroundthem.Theyneedtobeencouragedtoparticipateinvoting,thebackboneofourdemocracy.Studentsneedtoseethatitisthroughourprocessofelectionsthatwehavetheabilitytomakechoicesaboutoureducation,ouremployment,ourtaxation,andthefutureofourcountry.Whileitishopefulthatstudentswillworktocreateabenefittosociety,itisequallyimportantthattheyrecognizetheavenueofchange.

Itismygoalforallofmystudentstoreceiveaneducationthatwillfacilitatetheirabilitytomakeinformedchoicesthatwillhelpthemselves,theirfamilies,andsocietyingeneral.Iwantstudentstofeelempoweredtomakeinformedchoicesabouttheirstudies,toplantforthefutureandtocontributepositivelytosociety.Iaspiretohelpthembecomeproductive,tax‐payingcitizenswhoparticipateinthedemocraticprocessandencouragetheprosperityofourschoolsandourcountry.

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PromotingtheSuccessofEveryLearner

Asanadministrativeleader,Iwillensurethesuccessofeverylearnerbyinvolvingallstakeholdersoftheschoolinthelearningofeverystudent.Iwillworktoestablishrelationshipsnotonlywithmystaffandstudents,butwithparentsandcommunitymembersaswell.Iwillworktocreateavisionforthecommunitythatpromotestheacademic,socialandemotionallysuccessofeverystudent.Iwillreachouttothosewhodonothavetiestotheschoolandshowthemhowsuccessfulschoolsbreedsuccessfulstudentsandsuccessfulcommunities.

Asaschoolleader,itisalsoimportantformetokeepabreastofcurrentresearchandtrendsineducation.ItisimportantthatIread,research,andevaluatecurrentbestpracticesandthatIseekprofessionaldevelopmenttobringthisinformationtothestaff.Iwillalsoevaluatetheimplementationandresultsofthesebestpracticesbybeinghighlyvisibleinthehallways,commonareas,andclassrooms. Iwillencouragecollaborationamongthestaffinandacrossgradelevels.Iwillencouragestaffmemberstoutilizetheirstrengthsanddrawfromthestrengthsofothersastheyworktopromotethesuccessofeverylearnerintheirclassroom,theschool,andthedistrict.Iwillfosterasenseofcommunitythatinvolveseverystaffmemberinthesuccessofeverystudent.Iwillencouragestaffmemberstosharetheirsuccessesbeyondtheirownclassroom,toparticipateinschool‐wideanddistrict‐wideplanningsothatallstudentscanbenefitfrotheirknowledge. Iwillgatherandanalyzedatasothatstaffmembershaveaclearpictureofthestrengthsandweaknesses.Iwillseekprofessionaldevelopmenttohelpstaffmembersovercomeanyareasthataredeficient.Iwillusestudentdataandstatestandardstodrivetheinstruction,andfrequentreviewandbenchmarkingofourprogresswillbeanintegralportionofouron‐goingprofessionalgrowth.

IwillholdhighexpectationsforthestudentsandstaffIworkwith.Studentsandstaffwillsetshortandlongtermgoals.Studentsandstaffwillberesponsibleforsettingthesegoals,communicatingthemtoothersandmyself,andevaluatingtheirprogresstowardsthegoalsonaregularbasis.Iwillprovideextraresource,andtrainingforthosewhoarestrugglingtomeetgoals,andIwillcelebratethosewhohaveaccomplishedtheirgoalsorwhohavemetbenchmarkstowardtheirgoal.

Aboveall,Iwanttoensurethesuccessofeverylearnerbyhelpingtheschoolcommunityrecognizethatthelearnersarenotlimitedtotheelementarystudentsinonebuilding.Rather,thestudentsoftheentiredistrict,thestaffmembers,thefamiliesandthecommunitymemberstogetherarealllearners.Bycomingtogetherandworkingtowardacommongoalallofthestakeholderswillbuildasuccessfulschoolandarounditasuccessfulcommunity.

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ProfessionalDevelopmentPlan

Mygoalsandobjectivesformygraduatestudiesarethreefold.First,IwanttoexpandmyknowledgebasetoincreaseengagementandachievementamongthestudentsIworkwitheveryday.Additionally,IwanttodevelopskillsneededtomakeclearandconcisepresentationstothestaffinmybuildingwithregardstocurriculumandInfiniteCampus.Last,Iwanttoacquiretheexpertisenecessarytoworkwithdistrictleadersoncurriculumandprofessionaldevelopmentprojects. AsIreflectontheabovegoalsIwrotetowardthebeginningofmyjourneyoachievingmymaster’sdegree,IamproudtosaythatIhavemadesignificantprogresstowardeachone.Thecollaborationwithmyclassmateshasexpandedmyknowledgebase,andIdofeelIamabetterteacherbecauseofit.Ihaveutilizedmanyofthestrategiesandactivitiesinmyclassroom,andIhavenoticedincreasedstudentengagement.Ihavealsobecomemoreawareofdataandhowtousedatatomodifyinstructionalfocus. ThisyearItookonmoreofaleadershiproleinmybuildingandmadeseveralpresentationstothestaffinmybuildingaswellasconductionpresentationstostaffmembersfromotherbuildingsonourdistrict’scurriculumday.StaffmembersoftencometomewithcurriculumquestionsandIenjoytheopportunitytohelpthemaswellasinformmyself. Atthedistrictlevel,Iparticipatedinpilotingthenewk‐2mathassessmentandthestandardizedTerraNovatest.IworkedwithInstructionalFacilitatorsfromthedistricttoevaluatetheappropriatenessoftheseassessmenttools. ThoughIamquiteproudofmyprogressonthesegoals,Iwouldnotcrossanyofthemoffofmylistasaccomplished.Idoseemyselfnotonlyasaneducator,butasalife‐longlearneraswell.Therefore,itisquitedifficultformetosaythatIhavereachedtheendgoalonlearningwithregardstomostanything.WhileIamreadytofocusonnewgoals,IwillnotabandonthoseIhavealreadyset.Iwillcontinuetoexpandmyknowledgebasetoincreasestudentachievement,developmypresentationskills,andseekopportunitiestoworkwithdistrictleaders. Additionally,afterIhaveearnedmymaster’sdegree,Iwillseektousethatdegreetoimproveinstructionnotjustinmyclassroom,butalsointhebuildingasawhole,inanotherbuilding,oratthedistrictlevel.Iwouldliketousethisdegreetowardsapositionasafulltimeinstructionalfacilitatororcurriculumconsultant.

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DocumentationofPracticumHours

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EducationalAdministrationPracticum

ClinicalExperienceSummary

Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply):1,4Date(s)5/12/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience:7ActivityTitleAcademicDataRepWrap‐UpSchoolorActivityLocationTACam/ColumbianElementarypmBriefdescriptionofexperienceIattendedthelastADRmeetingoftheyear.WelookedatthetestingschedulefornextyearandevaluatedtheNESAandacuitytestingpracticesforthepastyear.WealsocompletedagapanalysischartusingGrade5CATdata.Manyschoolswerescramblingtofinddatathathadnotbeenturnedin,howeverthedistricthadreceivedallofourinformation.UponreturningtothebuildingIsharedthisinformationwiththeprincipalandwecommendedourselvesforcompletingallofourtaskscorrectly.Ialsoassistedintheofficewhileshetookameeting.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseitremindedmethatwhileColumbiandoesgenerallyscorewellonstandardizedtests,therearesubgroupsthatareimportanttoAYPthatneedtobemonitored.Italsogavemeachancetointeract4withparents,studentsfromothergradelevels,andofficepersonnelwhenIhelpedintheoffice.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)4Date(s)8/24/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience:1.5ActivityTitleCurriculumNightSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperienceIpresentedtoparentsinformationaboutournewstandardsbasedgradingsystemandhowthatsystemwouldbeemployedwithinthesecondgradeclassroom.Ialsousedtechnologyinthispresentation,aSmartboard,whichthePTOhadsecuredthroughthecollectionofreceipts.Theparentswereveryinterestedinwitnessingthetechnologythattheyhadworkedforinuse.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseItwasachallengetoconfidentlypresentinformationthatisnewandveryfluidwithinourdistrict.Ourparentsareveryinterestedinthecalculationofgradesandhowthosegradesaffectopportunitieswithintheschool,suchasenrichmentprograms.Also,itwasatremendousopportunitytoshowtheparentshowweareintegratingtechnologyintheclassroomonadailybasis.Ourparentsareheavilyinvestedinsecuringthebesteducation,includingthenewesttechnology,forourstudents.

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Student’sName:LisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)3Date(s)7/26/10,8/2/10,9/15/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience15ActivityTitleInfiniteCampusTeacherTrainerandBuildingCoachSchoolorActivityLocationNorthwestHighSchool,ColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperienceInthefallof2009OmahaPublicSchoolsimplementedanewstudentmanagementsystemknownasInfiniteCampus.Inthefallof2010changesweremadeforInfiniteCampusingradingscales,gradingpolicies,recordkeepingandreportcards.Iattendedtrainingforthechangesandpresentedthosechangestothestaffmembersinmybuilding.Additionally,Iwasavailablethroughouttheyeartostaffmembersinthebuildingforquestionsandtroubleshooting.Ialsohelpedthebuildingadministratormonitorgradebookaccountstobesurethenewprocedureswerebeingfollowedcorrectlyandinatimelymanner.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIwaschargedwithpresentingthedistrictsvisionandmandatestoastaffthatdidnotallagreethatthedistrictsvisionwasbestforstudentsoreasyforteachers.Ihadtocoaxreluctanttechnologyusersandhelpthembecomecomfortablewithenteringgradesonlineandlistenempatheticallytostaffconcernswhilestillconvincingthemthatthisisthewayitwillbedonebecausethedistrictsaysso.IwasalsoabletopassonsomeofthegeneralconcernsaboutInfiniteCampustothoseinchargeatthedistrictlevelinaconstructivewaysohopefullytherewillbesomemorechangesthatwillmaketheprogrammoreuserfriendlyforallstaffmembers.

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Student’sName:LisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)1Date(s)7/12/10‐7/16/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience40ActivityTitleMathSolutionsWorkshopSchoolorActivityLocationBuffettMiddleSchoolBriefdescriptionofexperienceIparticipateinahands‐onworkshopdesignedtoassistteachersinpresentingmathlessonswithafocustowardsproblemsolving,hands–ondiscovery,andgeneralizationsratherthanjustcomputation.Weexploredanddiscussedmathactivitiesthatfocusedonmanymathconceptssuchasgeometry,estimation,probability,andalgebra.Wedesignedmathstationsanddevelopedmenustogivestudentssomeapprovedchoicesastheymovethroughthemathstations.IthenbroughtwhatIhadlearnedaboutteaching,organizing,andplanningmathinstructionbacktomybuildingandpresenteditatastaffmeeting.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecausewasabletoincreasemyownknowledgeasaclassroomteacherandalsobethepointofcontactinmybuildingforanewwaytolookatmathinstruction.AsIplannedformypresentationIhadtokeepinmindthatIneedtocondenseaweeksworthoftrainingintoathirty‐minutepresentation.IalsoneededtoconveymyownexcitementoverwhatIhadlearnedsothatotherteachersinmybuildingwould“buy‐in”andtrysomeoftheactivitiesintheirownclassrooms.Ialsohadtobeflexibleandmakemyselfavailabletostaffmemberswhowantedmoreinformationorhelpinplanningalesson.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)5Date(s)6/8‐6/29 Totalhoursforthisexperience20ActivityTitleExplosiveChild/LostatSchoolSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperienceIservedonacommittee,whichreadanddiscussedTheExplosiveChildandLostatSchoolandexploredwayswecouldimplementthecollaborativeproblem‐solvingmodelatColumbianElementarynextyear.ThecommitteediscussedvariousstudentsandwaystheCPSmodelcouldbeusedwiththosestudentsandwithallstudentstoreduceoutbursts,officereferrals,andtimespentawayfromtheclassroom.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIhadtheopportunitytocollaboratewithmanygradelevelsandspecialiststodevelopaplantohelpourstudentswhoaremostatriskforexplodingandtherebyinterferingwiththeirlearningopportunitiesanddamagingtheirrelationshipswiththeirpeers.CPScanalsobeappliedtoalargegroupingsettingsuchasaclassroomtosolveclassproblemssuchasargumentsoverkickball.Whentheschoolyearbegins,Iwillbeabletoshareourdiscussionswithmygradelevelpartneraswestrivetoimproveinourschoolanddistrictgoalofasafeandsecurelearningenvironment.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)1,2,3Date(s)_5/28/10,9/27/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience4ActivityTitle:ExcelsCommitteeSchoolorActivityLocationTAC/ColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperience‐Iworkedwithateamtoselectandimplementexcelsgoalsforthenext5years.Welearnedhowtoenterourweb‐basedplan,writegoalsandindicatorsfortheplan,andcollectdatatoassessourprogresstowardsourgoals.Weplanin‐servicesopportunitiestoassiststaffmemberininstructionsoallstudentscanreachthegoalsestablishedbytheExcelsCommittee.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseExcelsschoolimprovementplansareadrivingforceofinstructionintheOPSsystem.Additionallythisopportunitywasnotjusttoreflectonprogresstowardsouralreadyestablishedgoals,butalsotohelpdesigntheplanforthenextfiveyears.Itgavemetheopportunitytoanalyzeourschooldata,helpselect2academicgoalsand1safeandsecuregoalandaparentinvolvementgoal,andtosetrealisticschoolprogressintervalstowardthatgoal.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)2,4Date(s)8/19/10,8/25/10,9/1/10,9/24/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience6ActivityTitleStandardsBasedGradingSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementary,ChandlerViewElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperienceDistrictleaderspreparedpresentationsforstaffmeetingsandthencameouttoindividualbuildingstopresentOPS’snewgradingpolicies.Thereweremanyquestionsfromtheteacherssotheleadersarrangedforauniformpresentationbygradeleveloncurriculumday.Inspiteoftheireffortstocreateauniformpresentation,severalteacherswerenotclearaboutthenewgradingpoliciesbythetimefirstquarterreportcardsandconferencesoccurred.Asaresult,frustrationwashighamongdistrictleaderswhofelttheyhadsentaclearmessage,confusedteachers,andparentswhodidnotreallyunderstandthenewreportcardlanguage.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseitdemonstratedhowdifficultitistocorrectmisunderstoodperceptions.Thefirstpresentationsthatweregiventotheprincipalsweresovague,thatlatereffortstobemorepreciseweremetwithadditionalconfusionandresistance.Insteadoffocusingonthenewmessage,manywerefocusedonhowthenewmessagedifferedfromtheoriginaloneandwhichsourcewasthereliableone.Unfortunately,thedistrictrushedthesepresentationsfromthebeginning.Bystartingvaguelyandrushedthedistricthascreatedconfusion,resentment,andfrustrationthathasbeendifficulttoovercome.Itisgoodtorememberthatwhenmakingmajorchangesitisimportanttohaveadetailedplanfordoingso.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)3,4Date(s)_2/15/10‐5/28/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience10ActivityTitle:SummerSchoolPlanningSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperience‐IworkedwithateamtoplanColumbian’sfirstsummerschoolexperiencetitled“CampCobra”.Wedevisedarecommendationprocess,identifiedthemes,andscheduledstudentsformorningacademicsandafternoonactivities.Additionally,Iguidedthe“campers”duringafieldtriptoLauritzenGardensandledourclosingcampfirewhentheprincipalwasunavailable.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIhadtheopportunitytohelpplananewprogram.Additionally,weworkedtobesuretheprogramwasattractivetoidentifiedstudentswhilestillreassuringtheparentsthatacademicswouldbeafocus.Thefirstdaywasalittlehectic–wehadneverhadsummerschoolatColumbianbefore.Howeverimplementinganewprogramhelpedmetocollaboratewithothersandtoproblemsolve.Italsoshowedmethechallengesofbeginninganewprogramasopposedtotakingoveranexistingprogram.Also,wemademodificationsalongthewayandrecommendationsforimprovingthesummerschoolprogramfornextyear.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)3,5Date(s)5/27/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience6ActivityTitleFieldDaySupervisorSchoolorActivityLocationChristtheKingSchoolBriefdescriptionofexperienceIsupervisedfielddayactivitiesataK‐8schoolsetting.Thisincludedsettingupforgamesandactivities,cleaningupafterwards,andmonitoringthesoftballgamesthroughouttheday.Itwasimportantthateach45‐minutegameisorganizedandtherulesbestatedclearlyandconciselysostudentshadmaximumactivitytimewithminimumdisagreements.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIhadanopportunitytoworkwithapopulationIrarelyinteractwith,middleschoolstudents.Ihadtobalancekeepingthegamesafeandfriendlyamongalargegroupofparticipants.Additionally,Iworkedtoencouragethosereluctantathletestoparticipateandnotlettheadvancedathletestakeoverorturnwhatwasintendedtobeafundayforallintoashowcaseforonlythebestathletes.Thiswasmuchlikebeingsurethatalllearnersparticipateincooperativegroupedandafewstudentsdonotdoallofthework.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)2,6Date(s)5/3/10–5/10/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience4ActivityTitleGuidedReadingTopOutSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperienceAlongwiththeinstructionalfacilitatoratourbuildingandanotherteacher,IputtogetheradocumentforeachteacherbasedonthemostimportantpiecesfromtheFountasandPinnellGuidedreadingManual.Thedocumentincludedbasicproficiencylevelsandcutscoresforevaluatingstudents,whichlevelswerebelow,on,orabovegradelevel,andthelevelbandsforeachgrade.ItalsoincludedachartIcreatedthatwedubbedatopoutchartthatspecifiedareadinglevelforeachgradetostoppushingstudentstoreadabovegradelevelandinsteadfocusondeepeningcomprehension.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseitbroadenedmyknowledgeoftheguidedreadinglevels.Also,itgavemeanopportunitytorecruitteacherstothepracticeoflookingfordeepcomprehensioninreadingscoringratherthanjustmovingchildrenalongbecausetheycanreadthewords.Puttingguidedreadinglevelshascauseda“racetothetop”forsometeachers,parentsandevenstudents.IthasbecomesooutofcontrolIamworriedthatwearefeedingegosandnotdoingwhatisbestforstudents.Itisimportanttomethatwedonotgetsocaughtupinthe“score”thatwepushstudentsbeyondwhatisinstructionalandappropriate.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)4,6Date(s)_11/18/11 Totalhoursforthisexperience2ActivityTitle:TerraNovaResultsSchoolorActivityLocationChristtheKingElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperience‐Iattendedaneducationalboard/parentmeetingwheretheresultsofthefallTerraNovatestingforChristtheKingElementarySchoolwerepresented.TheprincipalshowedgraphscomparingtheArchdioceseresultswiththeCTKpredictedresultsandactualresults.Additionallyhedidgraphtheboys’andgirls’scoresseparately.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecausethiswasthefirstyearofadministrationforthistest,sothescoreswerenotashighasparentsexpected.Additionally,thereweresomeareas,suchasmath,wherethestudentsperformedbelowexpectations.Itwasinterestingtoheartheprincipalpresenthisplantoaddressthedeficientareas,especiallyasmathisanareathatparentshaveexpressedconcernsaboutallyear.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply):1,4Date(s)9/31/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience:7ActivityTitleInstructionalFacilitatorMeeting–NewMaterialsSchoolorActivityLocationTACBriefdescriptionofexperienceTheinstructionalfacilitatorsandliteracycoachesmettogooverthecalendarfortheyearandtoreviewnewreadingmaterials,newresourcesinANGEL,thenewmathpacingguide,andNESA‐M.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIdevelopedanInstructionalFacilitatorNewslettertocommunicatetheinformationtothestaffatColumbian.Bringingthisinformationbacktomyprincipalalsogaveustheopportunitytodiscusscurriculumchangesandprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesforthestaff.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply):1,4Date(s)9/31/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience:7ActivityTitleInstructionalFacilitatorMeeting–NewMaterialsSchoolorActivityLocationTACBriefdescriptionofexperienceTheinstructionalfacilitatorsandliteracycoachesmettogooverthecalendarfortheyearandtoreviewnewreadingmaterials,newresourcesinANGEL,thenewmathpacingguide,andNESA‐M.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIdevelopedanInstructionalFacilitatorNewslettertocommunicatetheinformationtothestaffatColumbian.Bringingthisinformationbacktomyprincipalalsogaveustheopportunitytodiscusscurriculumchangesandprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesforthestaff.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)1,2,4Date(s)_9/25/10,9/30/10,9/22/10,10/20/10,11/4/10,3/4/11 Totalhoursforthisexperience5ActivityTitle:SATMeetingsSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperience‐Imetwithateamofstaffmembertoaddressthespecificneedsofstudentswhoarehavingdifficultywithaparticularaspectofschoolbeitsocialoracademic.Theteamcollaboratedtodevelopaplanforeachindividuallearnertohelpthemachievesuccessintheclassroom.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseeachofthesemeetingaddressedverydifferentconcerns;onewasstaffingastudentintoaneducationalplan,onewasevaluatingaparentreferralforspeechtesting,onewascontinuingtomonitortheprogressofabelowgradelevelstudentandevaluatetheeffectivenessofcurrentinterventions,andanotherwastodevelopasocialskillsplanforastudentwhowasstrugglingwithpeerrelationships.ThesemeetingexposedmetotheresourcesavailabletoourstudentsandalsogavemeanopportunitytodiscussthenewregulationsinNebraskaforwhenastudentmaybeconsideredforspecialeducationassistance.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)3,4,5,6Date(s)_9/2/10,10/7/10,11/4/10,1/6/11,2/3/11,3/3/11,4/7/11TotalhoursforthisexperienceActivityTitle:SSDSCommitteeSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperience‐IworkedwiththeSSDSteamtoreviewtheresultsofourclimatesurveysandbrainstormwaystoenhancecurrentprogramsanddevelopnewprogramstoincreaserespectandsafetyinourbuilding.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseourclimatesurveyrepresentsallofthestakeholdersinourcommunity,sowemustlookatwaysinwhichwecanaddresstheneedsofalargeanddiversegroup.Additionallyitgavemeanopportunitytoreviewthesurveyquestionsforlanguagethatmaybebiasedoreasilymisunderstoodbythestudentswhofilloutthesurvey.Italsogavemeanopportunitytocollaboratewiththeprincipal,counselor,andotherstaffmemberstodevelopinitiativesthatareimplementableforourbuilding.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)1,2,4Date(s)_August2010,11/8/10Totalhoursforthisexperience10ActivityTitle:EnginuityCentersSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperience‐Ipackaged,labeledandorganizedliterature‐learningcentersthatthestaffhadorderedthepreviousyear.Idevisedacheckoutsystemforkeepingtrackofthematerials,andIpresentedtostaffmembersthematerialsavailable,thelocationofmaterialsandtheplanforcheckingthemout.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIwasreadytopresentthecentersinSeptember,howeverduetonumerousnewdistrictinitiativesandthenecessityofhavingtoreschedulestaffmeetings,Iwasunabletogetthesematerialstoteachersuntilmonthsaftertheywereready.IthelpedmerealizethatsometimesIwillneedtosetasidewhatIthinkisimportantinordertoaddressimmediateconcernssuchasreportcardsandgrading.Ialsohelpedmetorememberthatwhileallstaffmembersdothinkstudentachievementisapriority,allstaffmembersandthedistrictleadersdonotnecessarilyagreeonhowtogetthere.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply):1,4Date(s)11/12/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience:7ActivityTitleInstructionalFacilitatorMeeting–GradingforLearningSchoolorActivityLocationOmahaHomeforBoysBriefdescriptionofexperienceTheinstructionalfacilitators,literacycoaches,andprincipalswereinvitedtoapresentation“GradingForLearning.”ThefocusofthepresentationwastomoveOPStowardsagradingphilosophythatismorefocusedonstandardsandmovingstudentstowardsthosestandardsratherthanjustfocusedonthegradesthemselves.Someofthemorenotablepointsofthepresentationincluded:Whenbothgradesandcommentsarepresent,thegradeisusuallythefocusoftheconversationandonlythegradesareremembered.Additionally,progressreportsarenotreportcards;theyshouldhavecommentsaboutprogresstowardsthestandardsratherthangrades.Also,moreemphasisshouldbeplacedongradesthatoccurtowardtheendofthelearningactivityratherthanconsideringallgradestocarryequalweight.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIhadanopportunitytoseehowdifficultitistochangeaphilosophythathasbeeningrainedforwhatseemslikeeternity.Thispresentationwasmadetodistrictleadersandevensomanywalkedawayunsurehowitwouldactuallyworkintothedistrictsactualmodelforgrading,whichhasprogressreportsthatarereallyminireportcards.Also,1‐hourpresentationswereofferedforparentsandteachersfromthedistrictontwoseparatenights.However,lessthan100parentsandlessthan20teachersattendedthepresentations.Parentsandteacherswanttobeincluded,butoftendeclinetheopportunitytoactuallyparticipate.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)1,2,3Date(s)9/25/10,10/30/10,3/4/11,3/4/11,3/5/11Totalhoursforthisexperience:40ActivityTitle:KimSuttonMathSchoolorActivityLocationteacherAdministrationCenterBriefdescriptionofexperience‐IattendedsessionswithKimSutton.Thesesessionsfocusedonteachingmathematicsusingmusic,visuals,andhands‐onactivities.Kim’ssessionsfocusedonteachingmathinapracticalway,makingitusefulforstudentsandincorporatingmathematicsintoothercurriculumareas.Onlyoneotherteacherfrommybuildingattendedthefirstsession.However,afterwereturnedtothebuildingandpresentedseveraloftheactivitiestoourcolleagues,eightteacherssignedupforthenextpresentation.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseitreallydemonstratedhowcontagiousattitudescouldbe.Ourexcitementovertheactivitieswelearnedspreadtoothersonthestaff.Itwaswonderfultoseethishappeninapositiveway.Ithinkadministratorsareoftenfocusedonwhenthesecontagiousattitudesarenegative,howevertheymaymisstheopportunitiestofacilitatethespreadonpositiveattitudes.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)1,2,4Date(s)SeptemberandOctober2010,March2011 Totalhoursforthisexperience:20ActivityTitle:K‐2AssessmentBookSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperienceIadministeredtheK‐2readingassessmenttostudentsingradesK‐2.Theassessmentisdesignedtobeadministeredindividually.Aftercompletingtheassessmentinmyownclassroom,Iassistedotherprimaryteachersincompletingtheirassessments.Studentsmustcompletetheentiregradelevelassessmentinthefall.Inthespring,studentsareonlytestedonitemsmissedinthefall.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseitgavemetheopportunitytoworkwithstudentsandassessmentsingradelevelsotherthanmyown.Additionally,itgavemeaccesstodatafromothergradelevels.MyworkwiththisassessmentalsohasgivenmetheopportunitytopilottheK‐2mathassessmentinApril.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply):1,4Date(s)10/1/10 Totalhoursforthisexperience:7ActivityTitleInstructionalFacilitatorMeeting–ReadingResourcesSchoolorActivityLocationOmahaHomeforBoysBriefdescriptionofexperienceTheinstructionalfacilitatorsandliteracycoachesmettoreviewassessmentmaterialsprovidedbythepublishersofourreadingbooks.Welookedatprintedmaterialsandonlinematerialsanddiscussedwhichassessmentswereformativeandwhichcouldbeusedassummative.WealsodiscussedhowtheFountasandPinnellkitsarebeingusedandwhatevidencemustbeplacedintherunningrecordfolder.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseitexposedmetothethirdthroughsixthgradereadingmaterialsthatwereadoptedlastyearandarefromadifferentpublisherthanthekindergartenthroughsecondgradematerialsthatwereadoptedthisfall.Additionallyitgavemetheopportunitytocomparetheresourcesofferedbyeachpublisheranddiscusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofhavingresourcesprovidedinhardcopyformatandresourcesprovidedonlyonline.Whilemoneyand“thinkinggreen”mayencourageadministratorstomakeresourcesavailableonlyinanonlineformat,recenttechnologyissueswithsomebuildingsnothavingprojectors,ourdistrictserverbeingoutoforderfortwodays,andmanyoftheprojectablescomingthroughasfuzzyhasfrustratedteachers,Thisexperiencedremindedmethatwhenmakingcurriculumdecisionsitisimportanttobesureresourcesareconsistentlyavailabletousethematerialspurchased.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)1,2,4Date(s)_EveryWednesdaythroughouttheyearTotalhoursforthisexperience10ActivityTitle:BusDutySchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperience‐EveryWednesdayIsupervisedthestudentsofbus193astheygotonthebustogohome.IcheckedtomakesureIknowexactlywhowasothebus,andwherestudentswhowerenotridingwere.Ialsodevelopedaseatingchartforanotherbustoaddressparentconcernsaboutbullyingandinappropriatebehaviorsonthebusasstudentstraveltoandfromschool.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIwasabletointeractwithstudentsingradesaboveandbelowthegradeIteach.AlsoitgavemetheopportunitytogettoknowastaffmemberwhomIrarelysee,thebusdriver.Withournewsmediafullofstoriesaboutstudentswhohavebeenleftonthebus,gomissingfromthebus,driverstexting,andotherstoriesthatfrightenparents,IthinkColumbiandoesagoodjobofworkingtoinsuretheaccuracyofstudentbuscountsandthesafetyofstudentstoandfromschool.

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Student’sNameLisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)2,5Date(s)_October2010Totalhoursforthisexperience5ActivityTitle:ParkinglotsafetyevaluationSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperience‐AtaSafeSecureDisciplinedSchoolMeeting,afacultymemberbroughtupinstancesofparentsspeedinginthenewparkinglotbehindtheschool.Thestaffwasconcernedthatstudentscrossthelot,whichisnotreallyopentoparents,astheyleaveschoolandheadtotheJewishCommunityCenter.Iwasaskedtoevaluatethereportedspeedingnotingtheactualnumberofcarsenteringthelotandtheactualspeedsatwhichthedriversweretraveling.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseIwasabletodealwithstaffmembersandparentsinasupervisoryroll.ThefirstdayIwaspresentintheparkinglot,Ididobserveoneparentspeeding.Theparentimmediatelyslowedwhenshenoticedme.Afterafewdays,thethreeparentswhousedthebacklotapproachedmetoinquirewhyIwassuddenlyinthebackloteachday.IexplainedthattherehadbeensomereportedspeedingsoIwasjust“checkingitout”tobesureitwassafeforstudentstocross.Therestofthemonthnootherparentsusedthelotandtheoriginalthreedroveslowlyandcautiously.AtthenextSSDSmeetingIwasabletoassurethestaffthatthetrafficinthebacklotwasminimal,andthatmypresencehadraisedawarenessthattherewerestudentscrossinginthelot.

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Student’sName:LisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply):1,2,4,6Date(s):February4,10,22,23 Totalhoursforthisexperience:15ActivityTitle:CurriculumDayMathPresentationSchoolorActivityLocation:TeacherAdministrativeCenter–BoardRoom StandingBearElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperience: Iwasaskedbythedistricttogiveapresentationtoteachersfrom3schools.Igaveapresentationon“UnwrappingtheStandards”to25secondandthirdgradeteachers.Wefocusedonlocatingthenounsandverbsnthestatestandardsandidentifyingwhatskillsstudentsatthesegradelevelsareexpectedtodemonstrate.Ialsogaveanhour‐longpresentationwithapartnertothisgroupondifferentmathgamesandmathstrategies.Forthelastsegmentofthispresentation,IworkedwithasmallgrouptopresentthedistrictexpectationsandtheinstructionalshiftsfortheteachingofmathematicstoteachersofgradesK‐6.Thisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecause Ihadtheopportunitytoworkwithtwoviceprincipalsfromschoolsthataremuchlargerthanoursbutwithsimilardemographics.InadistrictthesizeofOPSweareoftenpartneredwithschoolswhoseissuesaresodissimilartoours,weallfeelfrustratedthatourneedsarenotbeingaddressed.Bypartneringwithaschoolthathasasimilarclientele,wewereabletofreelydiscusswhichapproacheswouldandwouldnotbereadilyacceptedbyourcommunity.AdditionallyitgavemetheopportunitytoconversewithcolleagueswhoholdapositionsimilartothatwhichImaysoonbeapplyingfor.

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Student’sName:LisaHollandISLLCStandards(Enterallthatapply)3Date(s)10/5/10,10/6/10,10/7/10,10/11/10,10/13/10Totalhoursforthisexperience10ActivityTitleGradingTrainingforSpecialistsSchoolorActivityLocationColumbianElementaryBriefdescriptionofexperienceIworkedindividuallywithspecialteachersinourbuildingonhowtocreatefolders,entergrades,androllgradestoreportcards.ThisexperiencewasvaluabletomebecauseitmademeawarethatwehavealargepopulationoftravelingteachersinourbuildingwhoareoftenoverlookedwhenwehavebuildingtrainingbecausetheyarenotinourbuildingeverydayandwhenwehaveTEAMtimetheyareoftenatmeetingsthataddresstheirspecificdisciplines.ThetrainingIprovidedfortheseteacherswassimilartowhatIprovidedatastaffmeeting.However,Irealizedthattheseteachersareoftendisconnectedfromabuildinganddonothaveareadilyavailablesupervisortorefertowhenchangesingradingandreportingofgradesaremade.

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PracticumAppraisalForm

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SummaryofLearning

Beforeenteringthisprogram,Ihadneverreallythoughtaboutallofthestakeholdersin

education.Ivaluededucation,andmyroleasateacher,andIrecognizedhowimportantitwas

toinvolvethefamiliesofmystudents,butIreallydidnotlookbeyondthewallsofmyown

classroom.Ididnotconnecttheimportanceoftheschooltoacommunity,ortheimportanceof

acommunitytoaschool.Ididnotrealizetheneedtoreachoutbeyondthewallsofmy

classroomormyschooltoensurethesuccessofeverylearner.Ididnotrecognizethatthere

werestakeholdersbeyondthestudentsinmyclassroomandtheirfamilies.NowthatI

understandtheimportanceofincludingallofthestakeholdersinbuildingagreatschool,Ifeel

muchmoreconfidentinmabilitytodoso.

Earlyinmyclasses,oneprofessorobserved,“Thisdegreeisnotaboutpaper,itisabout

people.”Thosewordshavestuckwithmethroughallofmyclasses,foreachprofessorhas

stressedtheimportanceofcollaborationandcommunication.Eachhasdiscussedtheneedto

buildrelationshipswithstaffmembers,students,familiesandthewidercommunity.Theyhave

madememoreawareofmyowncommunicationskills,oftheimportanceofvalidatingthe

feelingsandthoughtsofothers,ofwordchoiceandthenecessitytocommunicateina

proactiveway.Theyhavedemonstratedhowadministratorsarenotjustleadersofschool

curriculum,butratherservantleadersofthecommunity.Theyhavenotminimizedtheimpact

ofunpopulardecisions.Instead,theyhaveshownhowachievingbuyincanhelpmake

difficultiesmorepalatableforstakeholders.

Myclasseshaveincreasedmyawarenessofschoollawsandtheethicalbehaviorsof

teachersandadministrators.Additionally,theyhavegivenmethetoolstolocateandevaluate

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theevolvinglawsthatgoverneducationandthepoliciesandproceduresthatgovernthe

differentdistricts.Whileadheringtothelawsandregulationsisnotoptional,beingableto

speakabouttheminaninformedwayisimportantwhengarneringsupportforthemorsupport

forchange.Myclasseshavecertainlynottaughtmeallthereistoknow,buttheyhavehelped

meknowwheretogotofindtheinformationIneed.

Amongthemostinterestingofmystudies,werethedifferentleadershipstyles.Aswe

learnedaboutthedifferentstyles,IwasabletopicturedifferentleadersIhavecomeinto

contactwith.IwasalsoabletorecognizetimeswhenIhaveusedthedifferentleadershipstyles

myself.Whilesomeleadershipstyleswerepresentedinamorepositivelightthanothers,itwas

easytoseethateachstylehadapurpose.Itwasalsoapparentthatevenanundesirablestyle

mightneedtobeemployedforashorttimeinacrisissituation.However,byfocusingonallof

thestyles,ithasmademeawarewhencertainstylesarepreferredoverothers.

Ihavelearnedhowtowriteapressrelease,createabudget,evaluatecurriculum,write

agrant,conductteacherevaluations,dealwiththemediaandsomuchmore.Ihavedebated

contemporaryissuesineducationandreflectedonadministrativeissuespresentedincase

studies.Ihavelearnedfrommypeershowdistrictsofdifferentsizesandwithdifferent

resourcescopewithsimilarissues.Ihavedevelopedanetworkofcolleagueswhosetalentsand

opinionsIvalueandhavealreadydrawnontohelpmeinmyownprofessionallife.

WhenIbeganstudentteaching,Ifeltwellprepared.However,Isoonlearnedthatmy

preparationwasonlyhalfofmyeducation,theotherhalfcamewiththeonthejobtrainingof

studentteaching.Withthisprogramthepracticumhourshavegivenmetheonthejob

experiencewhilestillprovidingmewiththesafetynetofamentor.

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Idorealizethatmyeducationhasnotencompassedallthatistocome.Iknowitisnot

possibletoprepareforevery“whatif”thatthefuturemayhold.YetIdofeelconfidentthatthis

programhasgivenmethetoolstofacethoseunknowns,andtodealwiththeminanethical

waythatwillnotdiminishthefocusonstudentlearning.

Thenextfivetotenyearsaregoingtobepivotalineducation.Aswesimultaneously

inchtoward2014andcareentowardthemandateof100%proficiencyamongourstudents

withregardstomeetingthegoalsofNoChildLeftBehind,thenextfewyearsshouldbethe

mostinterestinginthehistoryofeducation.WhathappenswithNCLBwillnotonlydetermine

myfutureplans,itwilldeterminethefutureofournation.Idohopethatthoseinchargewill

realizethatwhileNCLBhasfocusedteachingintheclassroom,itdoeshavesomeunrealistic

expectationsandpunitiverepercussionsthatneedtobeaddressed.Iwouldliketoretainthe

spiritofthelegislation,providingaqualityeducationforallchildren,whileaddressingits

shortcomings.Ienjoydatacollectionandinterpretationaswellascurriculumevaluationand

assessmentwriting.IwouldliketousetheseskillsalongwiththeknowledgeIhaveacquiredto

obtainanadministrativepositionasaninstructionalfacilitatororacurriculumconsultant.I

wanttousemyeducationtoinvolveallstakeholdersinfocusingonthesafetyandachievement

ofeverystudent.

educational administration professional...

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