21 COMPETENCIES FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
Communication: Effectively listens to others; clearly and effectively presents and understands information orally and in writing; acquires, organizes, analyzes, interprets, maintains information needed to achieve school or team 21st century objectives.
I sent this email to provide staff support and help direct them while also leaving room for their own creativity and discussion.
Change Management: Effectively engages staff and community in the change process in a manner that ensures their support of the change and its successful implementation.
Above is my logic model that was used to initiate change in the third grade classroom as I implemented the problem of practice in the spring of 2020. This was shared with the teacher I was working with as well as the 3rd grade PLC department and then with the Math Committee at the school.
Conflict Management: Anticipates or seeks to resolve confrontations, disagreements, or complaints in a constructive manner.
I kept a communication log in the form of a notebook where I filed notes where I communicated with students and parents where most conversations were centered around conflict management.
Creative Thinking: Engages in and fosters an environment for others to engage in innovative thinking.
I created the goose chase for staff to get acquainted with the school environment and the new processes and procedures that were shared to start the year.
Customer Focus: Understands the students as customers of the work of schooling and the servant nature of leadership and acts accordingly.
Each week I am an active participant in the Student Services PLC to assist with students who are on the high flyer list for various reasons. We work collaboratively to assess the needs of our staff, students and community.
Delegation: Effectively assigns work tasks to others in ways that provide learning experiences for them and in ways that ensure the efficient operation of the school.
In the development of my problem of practice I worked with a third grade teacher to develop an effective timeline for data collection to help us ensure we stayed on track during the process.
Dialogue/ Inquiry: Is skilled in creating a risk free environment for engaging people in conversations that explore issues, challenges or bad relationships that are hindering school performance.
Above is a screenshot from one of my weekly reflections where I reflected on the opportunity to assist a staff member with a challenge they were facing that hindered their performance.
Emotional Intelligence: Is able to manage oneself through self awareness and self management and is able to manage relationships through empathy, social awareness and relationship management. This competency is critical to building strong, transparent, trusting relationships throughout the school community.
Above is the link to a picture of a professional development activity I did with the EC department to promote understanding, communication and problem solving as a team.
Environmental Awareness: Becomes aware and remains informed of external and internal trends, interests and issues with potential impacts on school policies, practices, procedures and positions.
Above is an example of engagement within our PTA that shared the interests of students, families and community members.
Global Perspective: Understands the competitive nature of the new global economy and is clear about the knowledge and skills students will need to be successful in this economy.
I sat with Mr. Stoke as we met with the gentleman who developed and implemented the first Litcon even at our school which is designed to use the excitement about super heroes to get students excited about reading.
Judgment: Effectively reaching logical conclusions and making high quality decisions based on available information. Giving priority and caution to significant issues. Analyzing and interpreting complex information.
I worked with the admin team to develop effective groups for our target tutors to work with throughout the school.
Organizational Ability: Effectively plans and schedules one’s own and the work of others so that resources are sued appropriately, such as scheduling the flow of activities and establishing procedures to monitor projects.
Here is a screenshot of the testing schedule at a glance I created for the Access testing in collaboration with our ESL teacher.
Personal Ethics and Values: Consistently exhibits high standards in the areas of honesty, integrity, fairness, stewardship, trust, respect, and confidentiality.
This email is an example that shows I consistently hold staff and myself to high standards and provide gentle reminders about the expectations that have been given.
Personal Responsibility for Performance: Proactively and continuously improves performance by focusing on needed areas of improvement and enhancement of strengths; actively seeks and effectively applies feedback from others; takes full responsibility for one’s own achievements.
Each week, I write a reflection about my experience in the school setting including the wins I acknowledge about myself as well as lessons learned.
Responsiveness: Does not leave issues, inquiries or requirements for information go unattended. Creates a clearly delineated structure for responding to requests/ situations in an expedient manner.
This email screenshot is a tiny example of my quick response to staff who send emails to me for various needs. My goal has been to reply in some way within 24 hours of being received.
Results Orientation: Effectively assumes responsibility. Recognizes when a decision is required. Takes prompt action as issues emerge. Resolves short-term issues while balancing them against long-term goals.
I am an active IEP team member and have served as a resource to EC staff during IEP meetings as an LEA and also as a resource to help provide coaching to staff as needed on consistent basis.
Sensitivity: Effectively perceives the needs and concerns of others; deal tactfully with others in emotionally stressful situations or in conflict. Knows what information to communicate and to whom. Relates to people of varying ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
The link above is a video sample of the assets available for the community around Cooper Academy. I created this video to share with staff and families as needed.
Systems Thinking: Understands the interrelationships and impacts of school and district influences, systems and external stakeholders, and applies that understanding to advancing the achievement of the school or team.
Due to the COVID-19 and the closure of schools, a thorough understanding of our districts decisions about learning at home has been imperative. I have continued working with the district and community to provide access to materials for families while at home.
Technology: Effectively utilizes the latest technologies to continuously improve the management of the school and enhance student instruction.
Each week, we were given the task to complete 2 walkthroughs and reflect on them. Here is an example of the walkthrough tool in use.
Time Management: Effectively uses available time to complete work tasks and activities that lead to the achievement of desired work or school results. Runs effective meetings.
At the conclusion of each day, I submitted a log to document my efficiency and document my time management skills.
Visionary: Encourages Imagineering by creating an environment and structure to capture stakeholders dreams of what the school could become for all the students.
This template was used to empower teachers to begin the committee meetings with some direction without dictation to work towards our SIT goals.