At which level do you NOW place yourself for each of your four chosen competencies?
Overarching Competency #1: Personal Effectiveness, Developing
Overarching Competency #2: Adult Learning, Emerging
Foundational Competency: Explore and Challenge Diversity, Performing
Specific Leadership Pathway Competency: Instructional Leadership, Coaching and Mentoring, Developing
How did the TLI experience impact your growth as a teacher leader in each of your four chosen competencies? Include in your TLI assessment the module curriculum portfolio assignments, and the Capstone Project. Cite evidence to support each of your assessments.
Overarching Competency #1: Personal Effectiveness - Through the use of my organizational and technology strengths and my passion for improving teacher retention and purposefully growing effective teachers, I have challenged myself to be a teacher leader within my elementary general music PLC. I have respectfully sought out opinions from my colleagues and supervisor while gathering evidence and specific suggestions concerning the creation of a mentorship portfolio and program. When the scope and depth of the project seemed insurmountable, I found ways to make it manageable. For example, I sought out assistance from my colleagues by working within a small team of elementary general music teachers when refining the district elementary general music curriculum to make it more cohesive and accessible so newly hired teachers would have a clear understanding of what they are expected to teach. I also used input from a colleague obtained in an empathy interview about simply discussing and modeling much of the information during the regular meetings between the mentor and mentee instead of creating documents about all of the information (i.e., how to access and use the district's grading database, how to enter an absence and request a guest teacher).
Overarching Competency #2: Adult Learning - The TLI process included a variety of methods in which teachers learned and grew as leaders. Through a variety of learning methods such as individual reading and reflection, large- and small-group discussions and the creation of evidence-based projects, an understanding of the ways in which adult learners grow was established. Because a mentor will be working with a mentee in the mentorship program, the expertise of current elementary general music teachers will be valued and will directly impact the success of the mentee's students.
Foundational Competency: Explore and Challenge Diversity - I have become more aware of bias and inequity and have purposely acted upon that awareness to promote student learning despite the experience gap between newly hired elementary general music teachers and experienced general music teachers in my school district. Through the implementation of the mentorship portfolio and program, newly hired teachers will feel supported and spend less time individually navigating the ins and outs of teaching in a new district that is also the largest district in the state. This will allow more time to be spent building relationships with students and coworkers and effectively growing students' knowledge and skills through thoughtful and informed instruction.
Specific Leadership Pathway Competency: Instructional Leadership, Coaching and Mentoring - One of my favorite aspects of the TLI process was learning about the projects of other fellows and having the opportunity to use questioning techniques to further advance their project. This practice was direct preparation for the empathy interviews that we conducted, which built trust between myself and my interviewees by allowing for an open exchange of ideas in order to further refine the direction of my project. The mentorship program will allow a mentor and mentee to share information and ideas about their own teaching practice to promote growth and development. By serving as a mentor teacher, I will be seeking the opportunity to give and receive feedback on instructional practice.
What was the most valuable part of the TLI process for you?
The most valuable part of the TLI process was conducting the empathy interviews. I have always preferred to work alone, but the empathy interviews proved that seeking out the opinions of other individuals truly creates a better product. I gained valuable insights from the two individuals I interviewed that became integral details for the mentorship portfolio and program. These novel ideas were specifics that I had not yet considered, so they truly enhanced the direction of my project. I also valued the difference between seeking information through a one-on-one interview rather than a group interview.
What are your next steps to continue your growth as a teacher leader?
Serve as a mentor teacher for one of the two newly hired elementary general music teachers during the 2024-2024 school year
Use feedback from mentors and mentees to refine the mentorship portfolio and program so it continues to be worthwhile and meaningful for everyone involved
Artifact #12: Emails requesting feedback from current district elementary general music teachers and fine arts education coordinator:
Artifact #13: Google Form surveys requesting feedback from participating mentors and mentees:
Artifact #14: TLI Journey Reflection