Reflections on Domain II Competencies 4-7

Reflections on Domain II Competencies 4-7

My internship experiences for Domain II have given me great insight and an understanding of instructional leadership.  Much of this was gained through discussions with many individuals on my campus, research I conducted, and activities I have performed.  The time I spent will give me the foundation I need to be a successful administrator in the future.

My activities for Competency 4 included identifying software to improve enhance or support the business/technology curriculum in my school, discussing the scheduling of classes with the head of guidance, conducting classroom observations of teachers, supervising the income generation and purchases of all school activities, and review the school’s Perkins grant.  I researched and identified software to enhance and support the business/technology curriculum in my school.  I found that there are many low or no cost alternatives that would benefit the curriculum and would help control the schools budget.  I also learned a lot about the scheduling process from discussions with the head of guidance.  These conversations gave me a greater understanding of what scheduling entails from taking course request from students to creating the master schedule.  By conducting teacher observations, I was able to experience the observation process.  This experience will give me confidence in my abilities when I am an administrator.  As activities accountant I supervise the income generation and purchases for school activities.  I put in a considerable amount of time for this position, spending five or more hours per week.  I need to advise teachers and coaches on appropriate procedures and regulations, in addition to making sure they are financial sound.  I also reviewed and had conversations regarding the school’s Perkins grant.  This grant is important because it is the major source of funding for the school’s technology equipment.

For Competency 5, I engaged in activities such as evaluating options for student belonging, researching trends and practices in educational technology, analyzing school test data, and participating is student discipline conferences.  Since many students are motivated by activities such as clubs and athletics, it is important to have an understanding of what the school has to offer students.  I also researched current trends in educational technology, such as Web 2.0 tools, and discussed my finding with colleagues in my school.  I have found that it is important to stay current with trends and that many of the tools available today can have a positive effect on student learning.  I also analyzed school test data on state tests.  It is important for a school leader to be aware of trends in student achievement as well as areas of concern.  This data can be important in making decisions on curriculum and allocation of school funding.  Lastly, I participated in student discipline conferences with an assistant principal.  I found this to be helpful in learning the process of student discipline, but also in the technique of administering student discipline.  I observed that an administrator who is consistent and fair usually gains the respect of staff and students.  This helps aid the administrator in the process of their duties.

My internship activities for Competency 6 include conducting a survey of the school staff to determine professional development needs and desires, and participating in interviews for instructional aide positions.  I found surveying staff was an effective way to determine staff professional development needs.  I was able to pinpoint deficiencies and strengths, allowing the school to focus resources on the greatest areas of need.  Participating in the interviewing process was also helpful in my understanding of hiring and personnel procedures.  I was able to experience how to candidates were gathered, interviewed, and selected.  I was also able to learn what qualities can be determining factors in their selection, especially when there are multiple candidates for a position. 

My activities for Competency 7 consist of discussions at length with a school supervisor about a school change and the school nurse about student services available to students and the requirements of the school health program.  I also participated in a conflict resolution as a mediator.  The discussions with the school supervisor about changes in administrative responsibilities and structure that recently took place in my school were very helpful in helping me understand the process my district uses to make changes.  I obtained a greater understanding the reasoning behind certain school changes and the steps that are necessary to school change.  Discussions with the school nurse were helpful for my understanding of required school services.  Before discussions with her I did not know of the responsibilities of the school in filling and reporting student health related information.  I was also not aware of the services that the school provided to students regarding health care and treatment.  The conflict resolution was very helpful in my understanding of the mediation process and the steps needed for individuals to come to a consensus.  I found this activity helped me gain a greater comfort level in conducting conflict resolution and I would have much higher confidence when conducting other in the future.  I found that it is important to hear the concerns of all involved and at the same time come up with a consensus that is in the best interests of all of the individuals and the school.

All of these activities gave me a greater understanding of an administrator’s role as an instructional leader.  They need to make sure that all of the needs of students, staff, and the school are being met.  An effective leader needs to create an effective learning environment for students to thrive and be successful.