O & A Final Course Reflection

In my first year as an administrator, I am sure I will make many mistakes. I can only hope to embrace them as learning experiences to help me to become a stronger leader. JHU (and this course specifically) has provided me with much of the information I will need to start off as strong as possible. When arriving to the new school, it will be important (and prudent) to assess the school, its areas of needs and its strengths. By using the data provided from previous years, surveys and other means of collection, I will be able to understand where the school is heading. Knowing that, I will be able to guide them to that goal and if necessary, help them find a new goal. Again, I am sure to make some waves, but I feel confident and ready to handle the role as a leader of the school to take the students to the 21st century.

In this day and age, technology is leading most movements making communication instant and necessary to inform the community. JHU has provided me with many examples and applications that will help me keep the information up to date and public for the masses such as blogs, wikis, webinars, and many other web 2.0 applications. Also, I will do my best to include the staff in quality decision making to help promote ownership. Teachers who are part of the solution and whose input is taken into consideration will be more positive with the change by collaborating with peers to help improve student performance. The final part is to include the parents and the rest of the community. With open meetings, fliers, TV ads, and many mailings/emails, we will be able to provide them with the chance to share their thoughts and concerns. This will also bring ownership of the decision making to the families for a stronger community with the school.

In my AAP, I have provided many ways for others to share the role of leadership. We are asking teachers to help lead PLCs at grade level and area meetings. Also, students are asked to help implement the technology at the school by providing peer tech support for the intervention plan. The parents also get a chance to be leaders by providing the school with information on how to use science in their lives with examples. Also, parents will have a chance to help their students at home with the technology needed to implement the plan. The whole community needs to work together to make the plan happen. Each part of that community will require leaders and followers to make it successful. The plan that I have submitted will provide that leadership for the school to help make it more successful for the students and their goals.