21 COMPETENCIES FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
Communication
Effectively listens to others; clearly and effectively presents and understands information orally and in writing; acquires, organizes, analyzes, interprets, maintains information needed to achieve school or team 21st century objectives.
Use of GroupMe App
Constant communication is key when it comes to our staff. I am constantly communicating through the GroupMe App. It is the easiest and fastest way all of our teachers communicate. Some examplples of the communication sent through the app are reminders and important real-time information. We also use the app if a student needs to leave for the day, or if a student is being held by a teacher. |
Change Management
Effectively engages staff and community in the change process in a manner that ensures their support of the change and its successful implementation.
Facilitating PTO meetings
While at West Smithfield Elementary, I facilitated a number of PTO meetings with staff and community members. Even though I created the agendas for the meetings, the goal was to guide the members into creating their own agendas. I was there to provide guidance and help them in their new journey. |
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Conflict Management
Anticipates or seeks to resolve confrontations, disagreements, or complaints in a constructive manner.
Reflection
One of my daily tasks was to effectively manage conflicts. This is an excerpt from one of my weekly reflections explaining the process on how I manage conflict in my position.
One of my daily tasks was to effectively manage conflicts. This is an excerpt from one of my weekly reflections explaining the process on how I manage conflict in my position.
Creative Thinking
Engages in and fosters an environment for others to engage in innovative thinking.
Customer Focus
Understands the students as customers of the work of schooling and the servant nature of leadership and acts accordingly.
Community Outreach
Before school started in August, I participated in a neighborhood visit with some other staff at our school. It is the job of a school leader to go out into our communities and be present. Being present in the community shows that we care about where our families come from and use that to help in any way we can to support our communities.
Before school started in August, I participated in a neighborhood visit with some other staff at our school. It is the job of a school leader to go out into our communities and be present. Being present in the community shows that we care about where our families come from and use that to help in any way we can to support our communities.
Delegation
Effectively assigns work tasks to others in ways that provide learning experiences for them and in ways that ensure the efficient operation of the school.
Creating Innovative Teams
I created the Innovative Teams after using information gathered from a google form. The form asked the teachers to choose a team that they would be interested in serving on. I was able to have at least one teacher from each grade level and other support staff on each team. These teams are responsible for meeting once a month and creating events or analyzing certain student data. |
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Dialogue/Inquiry
Is skilled in creating a risk-free environment for engaging people in conversations that explore issues, challenges or bad relationships that are hindering school performance.
Email Exchange
Teachers know that they can email, text, or call me when they need assistance with something. I learned to always respond, even if I am busy. I let them know they are valued and I will speak with them as soon as I can. The following was an email exchange between one of my teachers and myself explaining how I was happy to help him.
Teachers know that they can email, text, or call me when they need assistance with something. I learned to always respond, even if I am busy. I let them know they are valued and I will speak with them as soon as I can. The following was an email exchange between one of my teachers and myself explaining how I was happy to help him.
Emotional Intelligence
Is able to manage oneself through self-awareness and self-management and is able to manage relationships through empathy, social awareness and relationship management. This competency is critical to building strong, transparent, trusting relationships throughout the school community.
Reflection Excerpt
The following is an excerpt from one of my weekly reflections, reflecting on how I have grown and how I feel relationships are important.
The following is an excerpt from one of my weekly reflections, reflecting on how I have grown and how I feel relationships are important.
Environmental Awareness
Becomes aware and remains informed of external and internal trends, interests and issues with potential impacts on school policies, practices, procedures and positions.
Asset Map
By creating an asset map, I was able to explore the community around West Smithfield Elementary school. Knowing what resources the community provides, allows me to develop external relationships and assistance from outside the school.
By creating an asset map, I was able to explore the community around West Smithfield Elementary school. Knowing what resources the community provides, allows me to develop external relationships and assistance from outside the school.
Global Perspective
Understands the competitive nature of the new global economy and is clear about the knowledge and skills students will need to be successful in this economy.
Read Across America week- connecting across the county
Using my email, I was able to connect my personal children's classrooms with students at Innovation Academy so that my students were able to use their technology skills and read a book to students at another school across the county. Being able to use the internet and technology to connect with others is crucial for successful online learning.
Using my email, I was able to connect my personal children's classrooms with students at Innovation Academy so that my students were able to use their technology skills and read a book to students at another school across the county. Being able to use the internet and technology to connect with others is crucial for successful online learning.
Judgment
Effectively reaching logical conclusions and making high quality decisions based on available information. Giving priority and caution to significant issues. Analyzing and interpreting complex information.
Data Presentation
I analyzed data from the 2018-2019 school year and created a presentation highlighting the most important findings. This was presented during our January PAC meeting to staff, parents, district superintendent, BOE chairman and a county commissioner.
I analyzed data from the 2018-2019 school year and created a presentation highlighting the most important findings. This was presented during our January PAC meeting to staff, parents, district superintendent, BOE chairman and a county commissioner.
Organizational Ability
Effectively plans and schedules one’s own and the work of others so that resources are used appropriately, such as scheduling the flow of activities and establishing procedures to monitor projects.
Calendar of Meetings
During the COVID-19 crisis, I was in charge of updating our team calendar to reflect our new schedule of Zoom and Google hangout meetings. The following is a spreadsheet that I created with all the grade level content area meetings, as well as enhancement, grade level PLCs, vertical PLCs and advisory meeting times. I needed to make sure that I also created office hours for my administrative duties.
During the COVID-19 crisis, I was in charge of updating our team calendar to reflect our new schedule of Zoom and Google hangout meetings. The following is a spreadsheet that I created with all the grade level content area meetings, as well as enhancement, grade level PLCs, vertical PLCs and advisory meeting times. I needed to make sure that I also created office hours for my administrative duties.
Personal Ethics and Values
Consistently exhibits high standards in the areas of honesty, integrity, fairness, stewardship, trust, respect, and confidentiality.
During my residency there were many times where I had to speak with staff and students and remain confidential. As an educational leader, I have to hold myself to high standards when handling sensitive issues. I have learned that it is not always easy to keep certain information to myself, but when I do it builds trust and my integrity as a leader.
Personal Responsibility for Performance
Proactively and continuously improves performance by focusing on needed areas of improvement and enhancement of strengths; actively seeks and effectively applies feedback from others; takes full responsibility for one’s own achievements.
In order to gain a better understanding on what my team needs, I created a survey. I used that information to focus on assisting the staff at my school. After my walkthroughs and observations, I also ask staff how I can help them. My staff know that they can come to me with any questions. If I cannot immediately help them, I actively seek out who can.
Responsiveness
Does not leave issues, inquiries or requirements for information go unattended. Creates a clearly delineated structure for responding to requests/situations in an expedient manner.
Results Orientation
Effectively assumes responsibility. Recognizes when a decision is required. Takes prompt action as issues emerge. Resolves short-term issues while balancing them against long-term goals.
At the beginning of my residency at West Smithfield Elementary, I was tasked with guiding the newly formed PTO. By organizing meeting agendas and facilitating the meetings in the beginning I was able to assume responsibility for leading this group of volunteers and paving the future of the school's PTO. This agenda shows some of our short term goals and long term events.
Sensitivity
Effectively perceives the needs and concerns of others; deals tactfully with others in emotionally stressful situations or in conflict. Knowing what information to communicate and to whom. Relating to people of varying ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
School leaders must be able to assist and support their employees in more areas than just their professional practice. There are times when an employee is dealing with stressful or traumatic situations and you need to be able to support them in the best way you can. I learned from my principal mentor the best way to help employees during such times is by first establishing meaningful relationships with all employees. There have been many times this school year when I was able to assist staff just by listening to them and referring them to others.
Systems Thinking
Understands the interrelationships and impacts of school and district influences, systems and external stakeholders, and applies that understanding to advancing the achievement of the school or team.
Innovation Academy is our county's lab school. Our students do not live in one area of the county. They come from all over to receive a different delivery of education. Support from stakeholders at district and county level are paramount for our school to survive. Any moment our school can involve itself with outside influence, the more it solidifies our relationships with these stakeholders. I had the opportunity to conduct a school visit with other assistant principals and student members of our county's JoCO Teach innovative high school program. I also had the opportunity to resent our school data to our county superintendent, BOE chairman and a county commissioner. Showcasing our school and talented staff allows us to tell our own story and develop lasting relationships.
Technology
Effectively utilizes the latest technologies to continuously improve the management of the school and enhance student instruction.
Our school staff utilizes many technology tools to aid their instruction daily. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to get even more innovative. To help conduct our weekly meetings, I created a Zoom account. Zoom is a virtual meeting program. This program helps staff get together to continue our work while socially distancing.
Time Management
Effectively uses available time to complete work tasks and activities that lead to the achievement of desired work or school results. Runs effective meetings.
During the COVID-19 pandemic I find that I am utilizing my google calendar more than ever. Here is a screenshot of my personal calendar and work calendar. I created most of the meetings on the staff calendar based on the staff creating their class and meeting times.
Visionary
Encourages Imagineering by creating an environment and structure to capture stakeholder dreams of what the school could become for all the students.
Below is a photo of myself presenting to valuable stakeholders. One of the goals of this meeting was to show our superintendent and others how our school is performing and to inquire on a possible expansion to a ninth grade academy. Currently our school serves 6-8th grade. We have had numerous inquiries from parents and students to extend our school to a joint middle and high school. This meeting was to raise awareness to those stakeholders and reach out for their support.