"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."
- Winston Churchill
Though we have come to the end of this Master's program (phew!), I do feel more like it is simply the end of the one journey and the beginning of another. I have been able to work with and learn from so many incredible people through these last eighteen months and I am grateful for it. I feel a great relief that the homework and assignments are coming to a close, but I also feel a sadness because I have enjoyed spending time with the people I have met because of this program and I will miss seeing them as often as we do now.
Today marked the final assignment in the last class, a mock interview with a Central Valley Superintendent. I'll admit that I was both looking forward to this and dreading it. It was a bit nerve wracking sitting in the chairs outside the interview, waiting for my turn. However, as soon as I sat down for the interview, I felt relaxed and ready to begin. I really appreciated the advice and candor I received during the interview. It was much easier and relaxed situation than I had anticipated. It allowed me to both feel the pressure of an interview for an administrative position, but also support in his feedback and comments. It was a very valuable experience and one that will definitely stick with me.
Finishing up this program has led me to reflect on everything that I have learned and accomplished, and all that is still out there. I have enjoyed the journey, even if it was ridiculously overwhelming at times. I want to show special appreciation for:
- The Sanger Cohort: I've built valuable relationships with a fantastic group of people - brilliant leaders and incredible educators. I've also appreciated the feedback from my blog group - thanks!
- Thought-provoking assignments: From the Education Platform to our very first assignment regarding our views of diversity, the assignments in this program have resulted in me becoming much more reflective.
- Great new books on the shelf: Though I can't speak for everyone, or for every book, there were a number I enjoyed quite a bit: The Speed of Trust and Leadership Connectors especially.
- Supportive professors: The professors in the program both supported and challenged us. Thank you, especially, to Dr. Buster and Dr. Wise.
So....while this may be the end of one chapter, it's most certainly the beginning of another....though I can't wait for a nice three week break in the mean time :)
- Katie Hirstein
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
This is the end (almost!)
With two of the last assignments turned in to my final course in this Master's program, the end is getting more and more tangible. The last few weeks have passed in a blur, and I can't wait I am able to relax and breathe. We have a final activity - a simulation interview that I am both nervous and excited for. Then, that's all. 18 months have seemed to both stretch on forever and pass by in the blink of an eye.
Two of the final assignments for EAD 269 were a Growth Plan and the Capstone Paper. The growth plan was interesting to consider. I found it hard, at first, thinking of specific areas I want to grow in within the scope of leadership and administration. I continued to think of myself as a teacher, until I began to think of roles and responsibilities that I have now as a teacher that also lend themselves to leadership and administration. I focused on building my capacity as an instructional coach, first within the scope of my grade level PLC and then, perhaps, extending to others. It was beneficial to be able to develop specific steps with a goal in mind.
The Capstone Paper was quite a culminating exercise. It brought back everything we have talked about in the course by looking the lens of current reality vs. desired reality. The ability to reflect on the changes we'd like to see at our school and how to go about making those changes was really a helpful task.
The courses in this program have taught me much about the importance of a strong self of self, especially in terms of intent, integrity, capabilities, and results. I believe the amount of self-reflection that I have participated in, as well as practicing and honing the skills needed to build trust, have helped me to become a true leader. While I may not have all the experience that I'd like, I do feel that I ready to embark on this journey.
Here goes nothing!
Two of the final assignments for EAD 269 were a Growth Plan and the Capstone Paper. The growth plan was interesting to consider. I found it hard, at first, thinking of specific areas I want to grow in within the scope of leadership and administration. I continued to think of myself as a teacher, until I began to think of roles and responsibilities that I have now as a teacher that also lend themselves to leadership and administration. I focused on building my capacity as an instructional coach, first within the scope of my grade level PLC and then, perhaps, extending to others. It was beneficial to be able to develop specific steps with a goal in mind.
The Capstone Paper was quite a culminating exercise. It brought back everything we have talked about in the course by looking the lens of current reality vs. desired reality. The ability to reflect on the changes we'd like to see at our school and how to go about making those changes was really a helpful task.
The courses in this program have taught me much about the importance of a strong self of self, especially in terms of intent, integrity, capabilities, and results. I believe the amount of self-reflection that I have participated in, as well as practicing and honing the skills needed to build trust, have helped me to become a true leader. While I may not have all the experience that I'd like, I do feel that I ready to embark on this journey.
Here goes nothing!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Money, Money, Money....MONEY!
Our most recent assignment was to meet with our administrator in order to discuss the ever important, and every confusing - the BUDGET! I was able to meet with the principal and my elementary school and we discussed how the budget and funding is dealt with at our school.
At the beginning of our discussion, my principal expressed that I was lucky to be able to talk to someone about this before becoming an administrator. She described her confusion when she was first hired because she had no idea how to balance or control a school budget, in fact never having seen one in use. It was interesting to look what is refferred to as the "Blue Streak Budget Report" (due to there being a large blue streak down the side, indicated the funding that is still available). I was able to see the various funding sources that put money into the site budget, be they federal funds, categorical funds, or grants and donations. It was clear, both from our face-to-face class meeting and this interview, that budgets and funding is not a simple thing, nor one where mistakes can be made.
We discussed how each budget was used and who made the decisions. On the whole, decisions regarding budgets and funding are made based on 2 things: the School Site Plan and need. The money should be spent on efforts to close the achievement gap or improve student achievement, whether that is resources, supplies, programs, or people.
I appreciated getting to sit down and talk to my principal about this important, and sometimes overwhelming, issue. It was beneficial to get her perspective on the process and the in's and out's of daily school budgeting. Though I don't feel prepared to handle one myself just yet, I do feel more comfortable with the thought that one day, I WILL be able to.
At the beginning of our discussion, my principal expressed that I was lucky to be able to talk to someone about this before becoming an administrator. She described her confusion when she was first hired because she had no idea how to balance or control a school budget, in fact never having seen one in use. It was interesting to look what is refferred to as the "Blue Streak Budget Report" (due to there being a large blue streak down the side, indicated the funding that is still available). I was able to see the various funding sources that put money into the site budget, be they federal funds, categorical funds, or grants and donations. It was clear, both from our face-to-face class meeting and this interview, that budgets and funding is not a simple thing, nor one where mistakes can be made.
We discussed how each budget was used and who made the decisions. On the whole, decisions regarding budgets and funding are made based on 2 things: the School Site Plan and need. The money should be spent on efforts to close the achievement gap or improve student achievement, whether that is resources, supplies, programs, or people.
I appreciated getting to sit down and talk to my principal about this important, and sometimes overwhelming, issue. It was beneficial to get her perspective on the process and the in's and out's of daily school budgeting. Though I don't feel prepared to handle one myself just yet, I do feel more comfortable with the thought that one day, I WILL be able to.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Face-to-Face Class Meeting #2 - Reflection of the Weekend
This weekend was our last class meeting of not only the course, but the program itself. It's both exciting and relieving, and I can't wait until this program is complete! Not that I don't enjoy the program, but it is definitely time-consuming.
Our last two class meetings will chock-full of information and experiences that I know will help me become a better, more effective, leader. Friday night was split into two parts: a panel of administrators who specialize in Human Resources and a visit from CADA: California Association of Directors of Activities. The panel of HR administrators was informative and I appreciated how genuine each presenter was. A common theme was that if you had any questions, you shouldn't hesitate to call for advice or guidance. Another trend was that paperwork and documentation is extremely important, but it can also tend to eat up your time. Try to manage your time so that paperwork can be completed while students and teachers aren't around.
The presenters from CADA led many fun activities that were also educational. The activities helped us examine our communication habits and skills. We also learned just how important activities are for students - helping them become connected to the schools. On average students who are involved in co-curricular activities have better attendance and GPAs. They are less likely to become involved in drugs and violence. School activities can and should be encouraged for students in order for them develop life skills and as one person in the group said, "find their niche in this world."
Saturday was full of interesting, but overwhelming (there's that word again...), information regarding school finance and budgeting. It was really educational to hear the background of why school finance is the way it is today. We heard the history regarding some of the things that have impacted school finance the most: Revenue Limits, Prop 13, and Prop 98. It was eye-opening and it gave me a better understanding of the intricacies that go into educational budgets. There weren't as many practical activities as I had anticipated, but it was all useful information.
From this weekend's classes, I definitely feel better prepared for an administrative role. Though, it also seems that the more I learn, the more I find out I have yet to learn. I'm excited for the journey :)
Our last two class meetings will chock-full of information and experiences that I know will help me become a better, more effective, leader. Friday night was split into two parts: a panel of administrators who specialize in Human Resources and a visit from CADA: California Association of Directors of Activities. The panel of HR administrators was informative and I appreciated how genuine each presenter was. A common theme was that if you had any questions, you shouldn't hesitate to call for advice or guidance. Another trend was that paperwork and documentation is extremely important, but it can also tend to eat up your time. Try to manage your time so that paperwork can be completed while students and teachers aren't around.
The presenters from CADA led many fun activities that were also educational. The activities helped us examine our communication habits and skills. We also learned just how important activities are for students - helping them become connected to the schools. On average students who are involved in co-curricular activities have better attendance and GPAs. They are less likely to become involved in drugs and violence. School activities can and should be encouraged for students in order for them develop life skills and as one person in the group said, "find their niche in this world."
Saturday was full of interesting, but overwhelming (there's that word again...), information regarding school finance and budgeting. It was really educational to hear the background of why school finance is the way it is today. We heard the history regarding some of the things that have impacted school finance the most: Revenue Limits, Prop 13, and Prop 98. It was eye-opening and it gave me a better understanding of the intricacies that go into educational budgets. There weren't as many practical activities as I had anticipated, but it was all useful information.
From this weekend's classes, I definitely feel better prepared for an administrative role. Though, it also seems that the more I learn, the more I find out I have yet to learn. I'm excited for the journey :)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Leadership Connectors: Putting It All Together
When I first began the book Leadership Connectors, I framed it in the sense that these would be great skills to hone for the future, for when I become an administrator. What I didn't realize until a couple of chapters in is that these strategies and skills are useful for everyone. These aren't simply skills that a leader needs, or that an administrator needs. These are life skills that everyone need in order to build relationships, both personal and professional.
The six keys to building relationships are not isolated skills only to be practiced and utilized within the walls of a school or business. They are the tools and raw materials to be used when you are building the foundation for relationships. The authors highlighted each "connector" using a story of an administrator named Jeff as he enjoys his retirement dinner after 35 years working in schools. He reflects on his own experiences both before and during the dinner, aided by the stories told by people with whom he's worked. It's a motivating story, an experience I hope to have many years from now. It's both exciting and nerve-wracking to think of stepping into the arena of administration, but I do look forward to it.
To recap, the six keys, or leadership connectors, are:
PS: If you know me at all, you know I'm just dying to draw some sort of graphic organizer or diagram to display these six keys in a fun way. I'm sure you can picture it :)
The six keys to building relationships are not isolated skills only to be practiced and utilized within the walls of a school or business. They are the tools and raw materials to be used when you are building the foundation for relationships. The authors highlighted each "connector" using a story of an administrator named Jeff as he enjoys his retirement dinner after 35 years working in schools. He reflects on his own experiences both before and during the dinner, aided by the stories told by people with whom he's worked. It's a motivating story, an experience I hope to have many years from now. It's both exciting and nerve-wracking to think of stepping into the arena of administration, but I do look forward to it.
To recap, the six keys, or leadership connectors, are:
- Communication
- Support
- Safety
- Competence
- Continuous Renewal
- Trust
PS: If you know me at all, you know I'm just dying to draw some sort of graphic organizer or diagram to display these six keys in a fun way. I'm sure you can picture it :)
Monday, October 24, 2011
Face-to-Face Class Meeting: Reflection
This past weekend's cohort meetings were informative, overwhelming, interesting, and...overwhelming again!
We started with a presentation about school law on Friday. It was mentioned several times by both the speaker and professors how we are entering into quite a different era of education than has ever been seen before. With today's technology, school law is that much more complicated. The presentation was incredibly informative, but, while I am still in the classroom, I hope I will not have to deal with some of the legal issues that were discussed until I am in administration. With that being said, it was really helpful to hear the presentation and, especially, be given the presentation in the handbook to refer to later. It was interesting to play "Stump the Lawyer" with various issues that have come up in school regarding: search and seizure, personnel issues, and more.
On Saturday, the day was broken into four segments. The first was focused on meeting management, where we discussed and participating in several activities that will help us all run more effective and collaborative meetings. I thought the discussions regarding planning the agenda and thinking about the process by which to accomplish goals at the meeting were very useful.
The second part of the day was quite interesting, but incredibly overwhelming. Dr. Kevin Torosian, supervisor of Child Welfare and Services in Central Unified came out to talk to us all about student discipline, our role in the procedures of suspensions and expulsions, and the Ed. Code. While it was A LOT of information, I really liked how Dr. Torosian presented it. He was direct, to the point, and very inspiring. One metaphor that I feel is worth repeating is how working with student discipline can often be like being a mediocre golfer. You don't make most of the shots, sometimes you hit it in the rough, or lose the ball entirely. However, every once in a while, you hit a shot that is just beautiful and the feeling that it gives you is enough to make you want to continue golfing. Working in education, especially in student discipline, you won't be able to reach every student all of the time. But, every so often, you will help a student change their life for the better, and that feeling will inspire you to continue. I really appreciated Dr. Torosian's perspectives and insight.
The next two parts of the training dealt with change/motion leadership and dealing with personnel issues using the FRISK model. Both of these were incredibly informative and I think will have real life application, both now as a teacher leader and when I become an administrator. Not that I'll be sending a FRISK letter to a fellow teacher anytime soon ;)
While I wouldn't have necessarily have chosen to spend about eight hours in class over the weekend, I was glad that it was well worth our time as a cohort. It was a TON of information, but all very relevant to our journey as leaders and administrators.
We started with a presentation about school law on Friday. It was mentioned several times by both the speaker and professors how we are entering into quite a different era of education than has ever been seen before. With today's technology, school law is that much more complicated. The presentation was incredibly informative, but, while I am still in the classroom, I hope I will not have to deal with some of the legal issues that were discussed until I am in administration. With that being said, it was really helpful to hear the presentation and, especially, be given the presentation in the handbook to refer to later. It was interesting to play "Stump the Lawyer" with various issues that have come up in school regarding: search and seizure, personnel issues, and more.
On Saturday, the day was broken into four segments. The first was focused on meeting management, where we discussed and participating in several activities that will help us all run more effective and collaborative meetings. I thought the discussions regarding planning the agenda and thinking about the process by which to accomplish goals at the meeting were very useful.
The second part of the day was quite interesting, but incredibly overwhelming. Dr. Kevin Torosian, supervisor of Child Welfare and Services in Central Unified came out to talk to us all about student discipline, our role in the procedures of suspensions and expulsions, and the Ed. Code. While it was A LOT of information, I really liked how Dr. Torosian presented it. He was direct, to the point, and very inspiring. One metaphor that I feel is worth repeating is how working with student discipline can often be like being a mediocre golfer. You don't make most of the shots, sometimes you hit it in the rough, or lose the ball entirely. However, every once in a while, you hit a shot that is just beautiful and the feeling that it gives you is enough to make you want to continue golfing. Working in education, especially in student discipline, you won't be able to reach every student all of the time. But, every so often, you will help a student change their life for the better, and that feeling will inspire you to continue. I really appreciated Dr. Torosian's perspectives and insight.
The next two parts of the training dealt with change/motion leadership and dealing with personnel issues using the FRISK model. Both of these were incredibly informative and I think will have real life application, both now as a teacher leader and when I become an administrator. Not that I'll be sending a FRISK letter to a fellow teacher anytime soon ;)
While I wouldn't have necessarily have chosen to spend about eight hours in class over the weekend, I was glad that it was well worth our time as a cohort. It was a TON of information, but all very relevant to our journey as leaders and administrators.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Leadership Connectors - Trust
Since I started this book, I've been waiting for a chapter all about trust. It makes sense, now, why this chapter followed all of the others. In order for a leader to be a person that people trust in, they must exhibit all of the other Leadership Connectors: communication, support, safety, competence, and continuous renewal. Without those, you will not be a leader that inspires or extends trust.
In several of the courses I've taken for my Master's, several of the professors have described Trust as a bank account. It takes a while to build up a balance of trust, small deposits now and again and eventually you'll have a solid level of trust. However, all of that trust can be withdrawn with, as the book describes, "just a word, just a sentence, or in one action." (p. 121).
This chapter also, not surprisingly, reminded me of the book The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey. In the book, Covey describes the four cores of trust: integrity, intent, capabilities, and results. Throughout this chapter, I saw an echo of the effect that our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions can have on trust. I appreciated this chapter, because, as was mentioned, without trust, a leader cannot hope to be successful.
Some of the key learnings from this chapter that bear repeating:
In several of the courses I've taken for my Master's, several of the professors have described Trust as a bank account. It takes a while to build up a balance of trust, small deposits now and again and eventually you'll have a solid level of trust. However, all of that trust can be withdrawn with, as the book describes, "just a word, just a sentence, or in one action." (p. 121).
This chapter also, not surprisingly, reminded me of the book The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey. In the book, Covey describes the four cores of trust: integrity, intent, capabilities, and results. Throughout this chapter, I saw an echo of the effect that our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions can have on trust. I appreciated this chapter, because, as was mentioned, without trust, a leader cannot hope to be successful.
Some of the key learnings from this chapter that bear repeating:
- You don't have to like or agree with everyone, but you have to respect everyone.
- Say what you mean and mean what you say. Talk the talk AND walk the walk.
- "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
- Avoid gossip! Even seemingly harmless gossip.
- Value others and play to their strengths. This shows you know them well enough to know their strengths and it allows for teamwork.
- Never lie. Just don't do it. It's more work and never ends well. "No comment" is an acceptable thing to say.
- A "perceived betrayal" is as damaging to trust as an actual betrayal.
- If you make a mistake, own it, apologize for it, and then do NOT make the same mistake again.
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