Jim Shetter Ed.

691 Final Paper Spring 2013

As I look back at my past yearly growth in course in Ed. 691 and Curriculum Development, this course should have been called The PCM Course! It wasnt completely about the PCM Model but the main objective was to learn about evolving conception of curriculum and developing into an expert in curriculum development. Learning about the importance to characterize traits of all learners into the main three areas in their abilities, interests, and learning preferences as an educator was a simple component but developing this into a lesson was tough. The main point that I learned from the PCM is that all learners must develop meaning for what they study and have purpose to understand concepts, principles and to develop empowerment as thinkers. This concept is both for the educator and student. As I review the question about how my products helped my school this past semester in this course has been enlightening. From working as a team member on the SIP/STEPP program, reviewing and developing new concepts for the Student Handbook, Mentor Project and learning about the Senate Bills/House Bills was very overwhelming in the short time period.

The main concept that I learned about doing these projects and also being an Intern Principal this semester was to learn to pace myself and listen. Each project taught me to how important it is to be at the present and take care of daily each product one day at a time. As I worked on the products I seem to evolve on what it takes to develop a school and how I would do it. A good example is the STEPP process. Its a yearly product that you track your sc hool process and development on a checks and balance system of your school, students, teachers and professional development. I believe Im an Educational Leader now. These products taught me the management side of the educational system at my school site. At the beginning of this semester I was still uncomfortable about my role, the way I communicated with people and learned to listen first and that my role is being a good educational leader as a learner. We all can learn a theory or position. The act of learning and doing what youve learned is difference. These products taught me to be involved and feel the confidence that I have the ability to be prepared to be a principal. I have grown throughout the semester to conduct a school on a daily bases. The one major factor I need more practice is being proactive vs. reactive. Knowing my daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semester and yearly schedule of all events as being a sub principal is great on the daily basis, but this will come in time and will be able to set up my own personal schedule. The last important factor I learned from doing these products, teaching at the same time and acting as the Intern Principal is being able to balance my personal and professional life. These products consumed my personal life and I had to learn to balance my personal life

and take care of my personal business on my time. That is the same key as a principal of a school and that a lot of time in this position can consume your thoughts and personal life with all the responsibilities. So this course has taught me the importance to take care of yourself to balance your life. Without this concept, how do you take care of others if you dont take care of yourself?