Reflections+on+assignments+in+EDLD+5333+–+Leadership+for+Accountability

Much of this course focused on the accountability of districts, campuses, and principals within the state of Texas. It was helpful to be provided resources and opportunities to "mine the data". While nearly anyone can conduct a Google search for district data and test scores, it is important to know the most reliable organizations and sites for accurate data. However, data is everywhere, generally easy to access, and is all too frequently placed directly into your hands by the powers that be. Frequently, I was not deeply engaged in these assignments because I was generally familiar with data disaggregation-- it is a process we were conducting regularly on our campus, and I could not see that this alone was significantly impacting the success of our students. In my mind, the hours spent number-crunching could have been better invested in researching highly effective instructional strategies.

What about this course made a lasting and profound impact on me? I was struck by the power of the leadership vision. Throughout nearly 15 years of teaching, I have worked with several principals who seemed unable to communicate a clear image of what the school could be and would be in the future. While I am sure each principal worked from a set of deep values and hopes for the future, they were not able to translate these into actions and plans that could be successfully implemented. With the demands placed on the position of principal, it would be easy for he/she to get lost in to-do lists, budget worksheets, personnel matters, parent concerns, student discipline, maintenance work orders, ARD, 504, RTI meetings, and more. The principal is the most visible role on a campus. If he/she does not remain focused on his/her vision, likely the reason he/she became a principal in the first place, the campus lacks leadership and cohesion. The positive culture dissolves, and the entire organization suffers. A principal’s personal vision of leadership is key to his/her own success but also is critical to the success of an entire campus.

//Personal Vision of Leadership: // I will build a collaborative and cohesive team committed to meeting the diverse needs of all students by teaching curriculum that is relevant, engaging, rigorous and promotes and inspire life-long learning.

Sources: //Building a collective vision//. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/educatrs/leadrshp/le100.htm //Aeis//. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/aeis //Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: A comprehensive framework for effective instruction. Alexandria, VA: ASCD. //