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These past two years have been marked by enormous growth for me. The intentionality of the program to focus on different CPSELs each year has allowed me to examine and evaluate my work via a specific lens. The work we have engaged in through ACTII has helped to focus my leadership on one key question: "How does (or will) _____________ improve the student learning experience?" This is something that was touched on in one of my Administrative Credential classes in my very first year of that program (which seems like a lifetime ago, even though it was maybe 6 years ago!). Using this question as my compass, I have found myself much more comfortable with making tough decisions and/or having difficult conversations.
My motivation is primarily to provide the best learning environment for the students. If a teacher isn't giving effective or timely feedback, if a student doesn't feel comfortable approaching a teacher, if a student is honestly trying her very best but there does not appear to be any movement in her grade...these are just a few examples of what will prompt me to have a conversation with a teacher and challenge their approach. Conversely, I am much more comfortable defending teachers to parents because again, I have a focus for my conversation. If I know what the teacher is doing in the classroom and believe that it is in the best interest of student learning, I have no problem having a difficult conversation with a parent. That, I think, has been a huge area of growth for me as parents have intimidated me for years and I dreaded having conversations with them. No more.
My other major growth area has been in my ability to listen. I am not generally known for my patience. I am a fixer and am also quite passionate when I believe I am on the "right side" of a cause. While passion is a very important quality to have as a leader, I need to recognize that others have just as much passion for their causes as I have for mine. And as a leader, it is not my "right" to force my agenda on others. I have learned to take the time to step back from my own passions and hear about the passion of others before I share my thoughts. This is certainly not a perfect practice but I am working on it every day. The gaffe I made at the end of my first year (discussed in CPSEL 1) really had an impact on me and I have taken that lesson to heart. Each year I get a little bit better and hope to perfect this skill before I retire!
The learning these past two years has definitely helped to move me forward as a leader and educator. (For a more complete picture of my reflections on the ACT II process, refer to this document.) I look forward to continuing my learning with my PLN as well as finding new avenues to connect with others. Conferences are really important to me (as I mention on my Professional Learning page) and I look forward to continuing to attend and present.
I also am planning to become a Google Certified Educator this summer (at least the Level 1) to be able to bring that knowledge back to our campus and inspire others to pursue their certification. I also hope to have more opportunities to share my learning with a wider audience as I did recently when Jay Willis contacted me for his podcast. It was a new experience for me and a wonderful way to be reflective of my journey thus far in a different manner than I do in my blog. Reflecting on the journey, both the successes and failures, allows me to keep growing as a leader and that has definitely made the last several years enjoyable enough for me to want to keep at it and see how far I can go.
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