Organization and Administration Final Reflection

I think one pitfall that I may encounter is handling getting staff to buy in to the school vision and initiatives to support it. As a school improvement chair I encounter staff members all the time who make comments such as "I have enough to do, why do we need to do this?" Comments and others like this can be disheartening. Even so, I will definitely begin the school year by having a session on consensus. I admit upon beginning this course I had the wrong understanding of consensus. I believe that many of my colleagues probably do as well. Now knowing that consensus is not majority rules, I believe clear understanding of this concept and knowing that it will be an effective method used in the shared decision making process will facilitate buy in.

I am so excited to use many of the new methods and strategies I learned in this class with my staff. Just today I used the root cause analysis video clip with my staff to help the curricular PLCs at my school with goal setting. It really broke up the humdrumness of our afternoon meetings. I all really looking forward to exposing the staff members at my school to the various online meeting methods and collaboration tools. I am also excited about some of the interesting instructional strategies and tools shared by my instructors and classmates. It is amazing what a wealth of knowledge we can bring to one another simply by sharing our experiences.

I believe that all aspects of my plan include opportunities for shared leadership. I truly believe that people give more when they are included in making the decisions that shape what is expected of them. I plan on allowing all stakeholders to have input on decision making. I feel administrators have to provide all stakeholders with opportunities to share their opinions and show their strengths. You never know, they may be untapped resources that hep lighten your load. Lord knows administrators have to wear many hats. Allowing other to participate in shared decision making can provide opportunities for administrators to practice the art of delegation, and in some instances, provide opportunities for up and coming leaders to emerge.

Final Curriculum Theory Course Reflection

I have learned quite a bit about curriculum as a result of this course. I used to think of curriculum simply in the terms of what is supposed to be taught to the students via the textbook and information included in district pacing chart. I have now come to the realization that curriculum is composed of a lot more. Not only do I have a clearer understanding of the written, taught, and tested curriculum but I also know that there is such thing as hidden curriculum as well. Furthermore, I have learned that these all go hand in hand with one another and it is essential that they are all realized, discussed and integrated completely in order to ensure students’ academic achievement. My definition of curriculum has changed because I now that it is shaped by more than just the school district. All stakeholders can play influential and pivotal roles in developing and implementing the selected curriculum.

I have also learned that professional development plays a key role in ensuring that staff members are also clearly aware of what curricular goals they need to meet. Professional development can also provide training for instructional strategies such as differentiated instruction and co-teaching which will assist in making sure the curriculum is imparted clearly and effectively to students. As the future instructional leader of a school it is important that I am not only well versed in these innovative and effective instructional strategies, but that I also provide extended and job embedded opportunities for my staff to learn them.

I must say I particularly enjoyed the week when we discussed creativity in the classroom. I agree with the gentleman in the movie clip for that week that students are now scared to be wrong and creative. That is a shame though because many times those are the very learning opportunities that can teach students so much. The film clip has inspired me to find ways to tap into my students creative skills set and use more creative approaches regarding instruction and assessment.

Previous Reflections Links

*Please see the following reflections posted for previous courses

- Curriculum Course Reflections - http://lenora-individualreflection1-lenora.blogspot.com/
- More Effective Leadership Reflections -http://lenorastransfornationalleadership.blogspot.com/ and http://lenorasfirst3weeks.blogspot.com/

Sorry for the confusion. :-)