I feel fortunate to have been accepted to participate in
this Educational Specialist program. The educational leadership
courses combined with the technology courses make this program
invaluable to me as I enter the field of Education Administration.
As with any degree there are courses such as Leading Organizational
Change that lend themselves to every day application. Systems
Change is concept that helps me communicate with staff members
in a more effective manner. I also find myself analyzing
the effects of change and thinking about long-term changes.
The course dedicated to the History of Education was very
interesting for me and I see parallels in No Child Left Behind
and previous education reform. Administrative Progressive
and Pedagogical Progressive in regard to educational reform
are two concepts that help me understand the proverbial Educational
Pendulum. The pendulum is now swinging toward Administrative
Progressive and I may be able to identify when it begins
to swing back toward Pedagogical Progressive.
My elective course work has been equally valuable to me throughout
this endeavor. Learning the basics of school financing helps
me appreciate what a business manager goes through day in
and day out. Communities across the nation rely on school
business mangers more than they know. A miscalculation on
a school business managers part could put a school district
in financial distress and financial woes for schools may
result in tax hikes for the district taxpayers. I have found
it helpful to be innovative in the search for funds when
it comes to large projects. I have begun the process of planning
the renovation of our Middle School Library. Because district
monies are tied up in other projects I have begun searching
for grants and other outside resources.
Public Relations is naturally a course that I enjoyed
and find very useful. Whether it is talking with a parent
about a concern they have for school policies, fielding
a call from the local newspaper about a school issue or
writing the cover letter for our monthly parent newsletter
public relations is important. Students are an important
link in public relations and are often the liaison between
the school and parents. I am learning that students at
the middle school level look at the here and now, very
few have developed the skill of looking at long-term consequences.
On those occasions where conflict is inevitable I have
learned that it is possible to maintain an open line of
communication if I listen and offer assistance and not
give ultimatums.
School Law was a course I looked forward to from the beginning of this program.
There is so much to learn in regard to school law and I found it very helpful
to study cases that have dealt with many issues that are relevant to operating
a school. Issues such as Title IX that deal with equality and how equal does
not necessarily mean spending equal dollars on girls and boys sports but providing
equal opportunities for girls and boys. This area of administration is overwhelming
as there is so much to understand.
As I stated in my first sentence I feel fortunate to have
been accepted into this program and I look forward to applying
the information and skills I have acquired in my new position.
Technology is such an integrated part of what I do on a
daily basis that I look at technology as a necessity. Some
of the artifacts in this portfolio demonstrate how I have
used technology for powerpoint presentations, prepare a
computer lab proposal, as well as design charts for staff
on NCLB student results and collect data showing specific
areas of student deficiencies.
What the portfolio does not demonstrate is when I visit
another school I now know how to evaluate their building
for technology efficiencies and inefficiencies. It is second
nature to look at how stationary labs and wireless labs
are placed in the building so as to provide access to all
students. I can't help but walk into a stationary lab and
critique how the lab is designed so the teacher can teach
effectively. I appreciate being able to help a classroom
teacher decide how to incorporate technology into a unit
so it enhances their teaching.
In thinking about my own on-going leadership development
I realize the need to take advantage of opportunities that
allow me to learn and apply technology whenever possible.
I recently was invited to be a guest speaker for an undergraduate
class at Dakota Wesleyan University. The topic dealt with “Transition
from Elementary to Middle School”. By using a powerpoint
presentation I was able to provide the class with an interesting
and effective classroom experience.
I realize I must pursue my leadership development and not shy away from the
unknown. Leadership development is something I have a true desire for and technology
development is an important part of the whole.
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