STANDARD FIVE: Managerial Leadership
A. School Resources and Budget: The school executive establishes budget processes and systems which are focused on, and result, in improved student achievement.
Budget Project
For my budget and finance course, we were tasked to do a project focusing on budget codes and the school improvement plan. We were given a budget from a middle school and asked to look into redistributing the money based on what the school improvement plan was calling for. We looked at the current budget, analyzed teacher working conditions surveys, and the school report card to look at academic data to determine what changes we would make if we could. I learned that it is not easy to spend money. Our project team decided to focus our spending on student achievement after looking at the school's academic history. As a leader, you need to be knowledgeable about how much money is in each fund. It is also beneficial to become very good friends with your bookkeeper and meet regularly to review your budget. Bookkeepers need to know all of the budget codes and attend all meetings to be up to date with all financial news. |
B. Conflict Management and Resolution: The school executive effectively and efficiently manages the complexity of human interaction so that the focus of the school can be on improved student achievement.
Email
Managing conflict is a daily task for many administrators! Below is part of an email explaining to my principal mentor how I handled a situation with parents in my mentor's absence. My mentor taught me to gather as much information as you can when investigating situations. When managing conflicts, it is important to have conversations with all parties and have written details from all involved to help determine the best course of action when delivering consequences. Using this process, we can make better informed decisions.
Managing conflict is a daily task for many administrators! Below is part of an email explaining to my principal mentor how I handled a situation with parents in my mentor's absence. My mentor taught me to gather as much information as you can when investigating situations. When managing conflicts, it is important to have conversations with all parties and have written details from all involved to help determine the best course of action when delivering consequences. Using this process, we can make better informed decisions.
C. Systematic Communication: The school executive designs and utilizes various forms of formal and informal communication so that the focus of the school can be on improved student achievement.
Walk-through tool
I created a walk through tool to help teachers receive instant feedback during my visits. This tool is informal and focuses on Targeted Instruction, Data-Driven Instruction, Flexible Content and Tools, and Student Reflection and Ownership. Using this tool as a guide, I am able to go into classrooms for a few minutes and focus on one area. When I am finished, the teacher gets an instant email of what I observed. The teachers are able to see my comments ahead of time and can reflect before we meet. During the next planning period, I make it a point to visit the teacher and review the document. This walkthrough tool allows us to have good conversations around teaching and learning and allows me to do some coaching before formal observations. |
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D. School Expectations for Students and Staff: The school executive develops and enforces expectations, structures, rules and procedures for students and staff.
Processes and Procedures
While at West Smithfield Elementary I was asked to help create various processes and procedures. At the beginning of the year I was asked to review the handbook and recommend any changes I thought would be beneficial. After reviewing the handbook, there were minimal changes that needed to be fixed. In the handbook, I also had to fix the schedules since they had changed from the previous year.
As one of my first administrative duties, I was asked to create a procedure for a new initiative to help students with their social and emotional needs. The process of creating this procedure challenged me at first. When I created a rough draft, I did not look at all aspects of the school and how this new morning meeting time would affect the cafeteria routine and bus arrival. I physically walked through the process to anticipate any hiccups along the way. I learned that it is best to do that when creating procedures. I also asked others to review to make sure the directions were clear and edited when possible.
While at West Smithfield Elementary I was asked to help create various processes and procedures. At the beginning of the year I was asked to review the handbook and recommend any changes I thought would be beneficial. After reviewing the handbook, there were minimal changes that needed to be fixed. In the handbook, I also had to fix the schedules since they had changed from the previous year.
As one of my first administrative duties, I was asked to create a procedure for a new initiative to help students with their social and emotional needs. The process of creating this procedure challenged me at first. When I created a rough draft, I did not look at all aspects of the school and how this new morning meeting time would affect the cafeteria routine and bus arrival. I physically walked through the process to anticipate any hiccups along the way. I learned that it is best to do that when creating procedures. I also asked others to review to make sure the directions were clear and edited when possible.
Procedure for Admin. Huddle
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WSE Handbook
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