Reflection:
As I completed my self assessment, it became apparent pretty quickly that my scores were lower in some areas than I had scored them at the beginning of my Lamar courses. At first this bothered me and I thought, “Shouldn’t my self assessment scores have gone up by the end of my certification classes? Is it going to look bad if I give myself an “I” in several areas?” Then it hit me. Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. When I started my courses and internship, I only thought I knew what a superintendent was responsible for knowing. Over the course of this year, I have worked on internship projects, assignments for class, attended Tuesday internship meetings with my superintendent, and was even recently promoted to the position of Area Superintendent for Mansfield ISD. Through it all, I have discovered all the things I don’t know. Sure, my strengths are still my strengths. They are curriculum, instruction, and staff development. But I have truly discovered my weaknesses are deep. It doesn’t mean they are insurmountable. I just haven’t been able to truly work with and build relationships with the school board. I haven’t truly been connected to a construction project. I haven’t really been responsible for a large budget, other than one for my campus. I have learned that some of these competencies will only be mastered through actual practice, not school assignments. The assignments have served to open my eyes and teach me about them in mostly general, and some specific, terms. It has become even more apparent to me that I will likely always need to surround myself with people who I can trust to delegate important areas too, like budget and facilities management. It is what it is. I am learning. I will always be learning. Therefore I will always need to improve. I will always show strength in some areas, competency in others, and a need to improve in others.
Domain I—Leadership of the Educational Community – Competencies 1 - 4
Competency 1 Area:
The superintendent knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner in order to promote the success of all students.
The superintendent knows how to:
__S___serve as an advocate for all children.
___S__model and promote the highest standard of conduct, ethical principles, and integrity in decision making, actions, and behaviors.
_S____exhibit understanding and implement policies and procedures that promote district personnel compliance with The Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.
___S__monitor and address ethical issues impacting education.
C_____apply laws, policies, and procedures in a fair and reasonable manner.
_S____ interact with district staff, students, school board, and community in a professional and ethical manner.
Competency 2 Area:
The superintendent knows how to shape district culture by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the educational community.
The superintendent knows how to:
__S___ establish and support a district culture that promotes learning, high expectations, and academic rigor for self, students, and staff.
_S____ facilitate the development and implementation of a shared vision that focuses on teaching and learning and ensures the success of all students.
_S____ implement strategies for involving all stakeholders in planning processes and for facilitating planning between constituencies.
_S____ use formal and informal techniques to monitor and assess district/school climate for effective, responsive decision making.
_S____ institute procedures for monitoring the accomplishment of district goals and objectives to achieve the district's vision.
__C___ facilitate the development, use, and allocation of all available resources, including human resources, to support implementation of the district's vision and goals.
_S____ recognize and celebrate contributions of staff and community toward realization of the district's vision.
_S____ maintain awareness of emerging issues and trends affecting public education and communicate their significance to the local educational community.
S_____ encourage and model innovative thinking and risk taking and view problems as opportunities.
_C____ promote multicultural awareness, gender sensitivity, and the appreciation of diversity in the educational community.
_C____ understand and support educational programs for all student populations, including students with special needs.
Competency 3 Area:
The superintendent knows how to communicate and collaborate with families and community members, respond to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilize community resources to ensure educational success for all students.
The superintendent knows how to:
__S___ serve as an articulate, effective communicator for the importance of public education in a free democratic society.
__C___ develop and implement an effective and comprehensive internal and external district communications plan and public relations program.
__I___ analyze community and district structures and identify major opinion leaders and their relationships to district goals and programs.
_C____ establish partnerships with families, area businesses, institutions of higher education, and community groups to strengthen programs and support district goals.
_C____ implement effective strategies for systematically communicating with and gathering input from all stakeholders in the district.
C_____ communicate and work effectively with diverse groups in the district and community; i.e., social, cultural, political, ethnic, and racial group, so that all students receive appropriate resources and instructional support to ensure educational success.
_C____ develop and use formal and informal techniques to gain an accurate view of the perceptions of district staff, families, and community members.
_C____ use effective consensus-building and conflict-management skills.
__C___ articulate the district's vision and priorities to the community and to the media.
C_____ influence the media by using proactive communication strategies that serve to enhance and promote the district's vision.
C_____ communicate effectively about positions on educational issues using effective writing, speaking, and active listening skills to ensure educational success for all students.
Competency 4 Area:
The superintendent knows how to respond to and influence the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context, including working with the board of trustees, to achieve the district's educational vision.
The superintendent knows how to:
__C___ analyze and respond to political, social, economic, and cultural factors affecting students and education.
__I___ provide leadership in defining superintendent-board roles and establishing mutual expectations.
_I____ communicate and work effectively with board members in varied contexts, including problem-solving and decision-making contexts.
__C___ work with the board of trustees to define and consistently adhere to mutual expectations, policies, and standards.
C_____ access and work with local, state, and national political systems and organizations to elicit input on critical educational issues.
__C___ use legal guidelines to protect the rights of students and staff and to improve learning opportunities.
I_____ prepare and recommend district policies to improve student learning and district performance in compliance with state and federal requirements
DOMAIN II—INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP – COMPETENCIES 5 - 7
Competency 5 Area:
The superintendent knows how to facilitate the planning and implementation of strategic plans that enhance teaching and learning; ensure alignment among curriculum, curriculum resources, and assessment; use the current accountability system; and promote the use of varied assessments to measure student performance.
The superintendent knows how to:
_S____ facilitate effective curricular decision making based on an understanding of pedagogy, curriculum design, cognitive development, learning processes, and child and adolescent growth and development.
S_____ implement planning procedures to develop curricula that achieve optimal student learning and that anticipate and respond to occupational and economic trends.
C_____ implement curriculum design and delivery systems to ensure instructional quality, appropriate depth of learning, and alignment across the district.
_C____ develop and implement collaborative processes for systematically assessing and renewing the curriculum to meet the needs of all students and ensure appropriate scope, sequence, content, and alignment.
_C____ use assessment to measure student learning, diagnose student needs, and determine effectiveness of the curriculum to ensure educational accountability.
__C___ evaluate district curricula and provide direction for improving curricula based on sound, research-based practices.
_C____facilitate the integration of technology into the school district curriculum to enhance learning for all students
C_____ facilitate the effective coordination creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem solving by appropriate school district staff and other individuals involved in curriculum design and delivery.
C_____ facilitate the effective coordination of district and campus curricular and extracurricular programs.
_C____ ensure that staff members have a working knowledge of the accountability system and are monitoring its components to increase student performance.
Competency 6 Area:
The superintendent knows how to advocate, promote, and sustain an instructional program and a district culture that are conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
The superintendent knows how to:
_S____ apply knowledge of motivational theories and strategies to encourage staff, students, families/caregivers, and the community to strive to achieve the district's vision.
__S___ facilitate the implementation of sound, research-based theories and techniques of classroom management, student discipline, and school safety to ensure a school district environment conducive to learning.
_S____ facilitate the development of a learning organization that encompasses high student engagement and learning with academic rigor through the use of effective planning and lesson design.
_S____ facilitate the ongoing study of current best practice and relevant research and encourage the application of this knowledge to district/school improvement initiatives.
_S____ implement and support student services and activity programs to address developmental, scholastic, social, emotional, cultural, physical, and leadership needs.
C_____ establish a comprehensive school district program of student assessment, interpretation of data, and reporting of state and national data results for improvement of student learning
_C____ apply knowledge of special programs to ensure that students are provided with appropriate resources and effective, flexible instructional programs and services.
_C____ analyze instructional resource needs and deploy instructional resources effectively and equitably to enhance student learning.
_C____ analyze the implications of various organizational factors (e.g., staffing patterns, class scheduling formats, school organizational structures, student discipline practices) for teaching and learning.
S_____ develop and use appropriate change processes to improve student and adult learning.
___C__ ensure responsiveness to diverse sociological, linguistic, cultural, psychological, and other factors that may affect student development and learning and create an environment in which all students will learn.
Competency 7 Area:
The superintendent knows how to implement a staff evaluation and development system and select appropriate models for supervision and staff development to improve the performance of all staff members.
The superintendent knows how to:
_S____ improve teaching and learning by participating in quality relevant professional development activities and studying current professional literature and research.
_S____ develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive professional development plan to address identified areas of district, campus, and/or staff need.
_S____ facilitate the application of adult learning principles to all professional development activities, including the use of support and follow-up strategies to facilitate implementation.
_S____ implement strategies to enhance the expertise and skill of staff at the district and campus levels.
_S____ work collaboratively with other district personnel to plan, implement, and evaluate professional growth programs.
S_____ deliver effective presentations and facilitate learning for both small and large groups.
_S____ implement effective strategies for the recruitment, selection, induction, development, evaluation, and promotion of staff.
_S____ develop and implement comprehensive staff evaluation models that include both formative and summative assessment and appraisal strategies.
S_____ assess and support the organizational health and climate by implementing necessary strategies to improve the performance of all staff members.
DOMAIN III—ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP – COMPETENCIES 8 – 10
Competency 8 Area:
The superintendent knows how to apply principles of effective leadership and management in relation to district budgeting, personnel, resource utilization, financial management, and technology application.
The superintendent knows how to:
C_____ apply procedures for effective budget planning and management.
_C____ work collaboratively with board of trustees and appropriate personnel to develop district budgets.
_I____ facilitate and evaluate effective account auditing and monitoring that complies with legal requirements and local district policy.
I_____ establish district procedures for accurate, effective, ethical purchasing and financial record keeping and reporting.
_C____ acquire, allocate, and manage resources according to district vision and priorities, including obtaining and using funding from various sources.
_C____ use district and staff evaluation data for personnel policy development and decision making.
C_____ apply knowledge associated with personnel management, including requirements related to certifying, recruiting, screening, selecting, evaluating, disciplining, reassigning, and dismissing personnel.
_C____ manage one's own time and the time of others to enhance district operations.
C_____ develop and implement plans for using technology and information systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of school district operations.
C_____ apply legal concepts, regulations, and codes as required.
_I____use revenue forecasting and enrollment forecasting to address personnel and budgetary needs accurately.
Competency 9 Area:
The superintendent knows how to apply principles of leadership and management to the district's physical plant and support systems to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.
The superintendent knows how to:
__I___ apply procedures for planning, funding, renovating, and/or constructing school facilities to support the district’s mission and goals.
_C____ implement strategies that enable the district's physical plant, equipment, and support systems to operate safely, efficiently, and effectively.
C_____ apply strategies for ensuring the safety of students and personnel and for addressing emergencies and security concerns.
_C____ develop and implement procedures for emergency planning and for responding to crises.
_C____ apply procedures for ensuring the effective operation and maintenance of district facilities.
_I____ implement evaluate appropriate procedures to ensure efficient, effective district transportation services, food services, health services, and other services.
_C____ apply legal concepts, regulations, and codes as required.
Competency 10 Area:
The superintendent knows how to apply organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to comply with federal and state requirements and facilitate positive change in varied contexts.
The superintendent knows how to:
_S____ implement appropriate leadership skills, techniques, and group process skills to define roles, assign functions, delegate effectively, and determine accountability for goal attainment.
_S____ implement processes for gathering, analyzing, and using data for informed decision making to attain district goals.
_S____ identify, analyze, and resolve problems using appropriate problem-solving techniques and decision-making skills.
S_____ use strategies for working with others, including the board of trustees, to promote collaborative decision making and problem solving, facilitate team building, and develop consensus.
_S____ encourage and facilitate positive change, enlist support for change, and overcome obstacles to change in varied educational contexts.
__C___ analyze and use political influences to benefit the educational organization.
