Reflection on PDP

I approached the plan in three phases:  (1) focused on financial literacy improvement; (2) focused on internal team structures/systems for improvement; and (3) focused on my leadership of others resulted in their professional success.  Working with budgets, bonds, and facilities remains my area of growth, but for the role I recently stepped into and plan to be in the next five years, instructional leadership must remain my focus.  I know I will continue to grow in my weaker areas, as we anticipate having a bond study within the year and I will be very involved in that process.  To make an impact in my position in the next three years, it is essential that I work to put some new collaborative structures in place for principals to learn together and from one another, as well as provide them professional development.  This will result in higher performing leaders, who will influence teachers, who will ultimately influence our student success.

Reflection on Supervisor's Evaluation

Having the opportunity to receive feedback from my supervisor was a welcomed opportunity.  Her affirmation of my efforts and hard work over the past six months really meant a great deal to me professionally and motivates me to continue to strive for excellence in my work.  She views me as a strong instructional leader who is very involved in overseeing the implementation of our curriculum, staff development and campus leadership.  As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, she has had the opportunity to observe my involvement in dialogue about district decision-making, and at many district events she has seen my collaboration with community members.  For the first time in several years, I am truly energized by my work and look forward to helping to shape our district culture in a positive manner.  That positive energy comes from a strong team with a shared sense of purpose and drive toward the common goal of student success.

Reflective Leadership

Leaders are, by nature, busy people.  Most leaders I know are driven individuals and are not content to be idle for any substantial amount of time.  In this world of smart phones, tablet and laptops, it is commonplace to multi-task at all times and have many irons in the fire at once.  In a recent Franklin Covey workshop I attended the presenter shared that technology innovations intended to increase our efficiency actually add about ten hours on to our work week.  Think about it.  Aren’t most of us always “connected”?

Leadership coaching has been my area of study and passion the past few years.  In studying the skill set associated with any sort of coaching, reflection is always an important component. It is imperative that leaders take the time to think about our actions, our responses, our though processes, what worked, what could be improved, and what we may do differently next time.  Reflection is part of the “study” in the plan-do-study-act cycle of continuous improvement.  Without it, we are in a cycle of continuous flat-lining.