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Describe your Capstone Challenge and how you identified it.

The challenge I have decided to pursue is to update and create a new Teach-To manual for my school to utilize for our Universal Behavior Expectations. I was able to interview my building Administrator, as well as send out a staff survey for feedback from all colleagues within my building. From the data I received I found that many staff members and administration would like to see an updated and consistent school plan in place.

Describe your diverse stakeholders and how you selected them, such as colleagues, parents, students, association members, community members, state or local partners, etc.

The stakeholders that I identified are the teachers and staff within my building. I decided that if I really wanted to be inclusive and get a diverse picture of what our need within the building is, then I needed to reach out to as many educators and staff as possible. I also formally interviewed my Administrator.

Why is it important for your diverse stakeholders that the Capstone Challenge be addressed?

The teachers and staff within our building feel we need direction. As a school we adopted Montana Behavioral Initiative MBI. We spent hours working to meet the requirements of the program, but with time it seems as though the program has gone away. We feel as though our MBI team is without direction. Many teaches have stopped utilizing many of the established practices we once used and new staff is not informed. This is not their fault, nor administration, there hasn't been much direction given. The Needs Assessment brought light to this struggle. This is an excellent opportunity for our MBI team to come together and bring teachers together, so we all are confident and on the same page. With consistent universals in place, we hope to see less academic time impacted by behavior issues.

In what ways will addressing the Capstone Challenge promote or support the foundational competencies?

I believe that by taking this step it will begin conversations, which will lead to much needed change. I am hoping to encourage self-reflection, bring together collaboration, and promote teacher leadership from other teachers within our building.

Is it your intention to broaden the existing vision, values and/or culture of the association or to create a cultural shift? Explain.

That is my absolute intention...

Education is one of the most debated topics of conversation in local and national communities. Teachers often take the impact of criticism when it comes to addressing school reform and overall student success and performance within their classroom and school. As teachers, we do not often get to have a say or have our voices be heard.

My goal is to step into a leadership role, that brings out the other natural Teacher Leaders within my own building. Because we have very intelligent, strong, teacher leaders all around us.

Why might this strategy be a viable solution for your Capstone Challenge?

I would like to provide teachers with a voice. Not only is there a need based on the Needs Assessment, but I believe many teachers are like me and embrace the opportunity to contribute. It brings more personal investment into any project when you have ownership over what is being created and implemented.

On which two Overarching Competencies will you focus in addressing your Capstone Challenge? Why are they relevant?

Interpersonal Effectiveness & Continuing Learning and Education-

I feel that in order to grow in this capstone challenge I will need to create an opportunity for teachers to come together and communicate a shared vision. I would like to take the initial step in bringing together educators from all different backgrounds, within my school. I have much personal growth to develop with in my Capstone Project and will push myself to be an encouraging leader.

Foundational Competency

My foundational competency is Collaborate Purposefully. This competency is important because the goal of my project is to support teachers, through collaboration, to create a new and effective universal behavior management system which will enhance their ability to create equitable learning environments for all students

Which Leadership Pathway competency will you focus on in your Capstone Challenge? Why is it relevant?

My Leadership Pathway is Instructional Leadership. I feel this is relevant because the project requires a group of diverse teachers to come together and collaborate. My role is to help other teachers find their leadership voice, while also connecting with one another and encouraging change.

With whom will you work in addressing your Capstone Challenge? Who else might you recruit beyond your own cultural and/or professional identity group?

The primary group that I will be working with is our schools Montana Behavior Initiative (MBI) team. I also will recruit the aide of our school counselor and building administrator. We will survey the entire staff for additional insight and information regarding the direction of our capstone project.

Which resources (such as, people, money, programs, time and space, etc.) do you have to address in your Capstone Challenge? What resources will you need? How will you obtain them?

The challenge will be time. Team members will need time to meet as a team and plan, but also work independently on their sections. We will need feedback from other staff members, through survey. We will need team members to use Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Sway, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Outlook in order to create our finalized project to build and share with the rest of our school.

Evidence 1- Email staff survey questions

Evidence 2- Emailed staff survey answer

Evidence 3- Formal Interview with building Administration

Evidence 4- Power Mapping

Evidence 5- Early Step Action Plan

Evidence 6- Needs Assessment Report

*Evidence 7- Currently utilized Teach to Manual can be found on the design tab