Part II


Part II- Context: Connecting Self-Assessment to Your Context

Awareness of biases, experiences of privilege, and personal values inform your chosen instructional project:

Awareness of my own biases, experiences of privilege, and personal values has influenced my chosen project as I have begun to reflect that each elementary school is unique and different. Regardless from the fact that we are all in the same school district, the demographics and culture of each school is unique. Of the 22 elementary schools, 8 are Title Schools defined by the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Understanding the differences of each school is important for my capstone goals as it is critical that teachers from each school are given opportunities to step up into leadership roles to meet the needs of their school community.

  • Overarching Competency #1 - Continuing Learning and Education- Performing

As an instructional coach I have professional duties that allow me to lead professional development opportunities and encourage other teacher leaders to present their expertise. I am currently leading a Writing Cadre where our goal is to offer professional development at the end of the learning year. I have not presented any of my own research yet and have only been in minimal research projects which leads me to recognize that I am in the performing competency.

  • Overarching Competency #2- Adult Learning- Performing

I am at performing. I lead several adult learning activities, as I have been training teachers on Indian Education for All (IEFA) for the past 10 years and I have also led several trainings and coaching sessions through my work in the School Improvement Grant and my current position as a literacy coach. Currently I am working to build lead teachers in a Writing Cadre and another group building Science-IEFA Lessons. I have not, however, been efficient in building learning experiences that can be replicated across contexts and communities.

  • Diversity-Equity-Cultural Competence selection- Collaborate Purposefully- Developing

I am able to place myself as developing in collaborating purposefully as I can explain the value and benefits of including other cultural groups in their collaborative groups through my work with IEFA. I also can explain the strengths and limitations of their skills and/or organizational practices when interacting with other cultural groups. I do need to work on more self reflection and acknowledging cultural groups that are absent in collaborative settings.

  • Instructional Leadership Competencies- Coaching and Mentoring- Developing.

As an instructional coach I would anticipate being farther in the progressions, however I am not yet strong in connecting colleagues based on strengths, needs and personal and academic qualities. I am also working to promote colleges to be good mentors and/or leaders. I feel I can identify individuals who would be successful in these roles, but I am still working to sell them to these roles.