COURSE REFLECTIONS

Course Reflections
on the Nine Leadership Competencies
University of St. Thomas
April 19, 2015
Dana B. Ricks

Dana B. Ricks/April 19, 2015

COURSE REFLECTIONS

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Competency 001

I believe this competency is one of the most important. For a school or any organization to be successful, a shared vision among stakeholders is essential. Once this vision has been
developed as a collaborative team, it is the responsibility of the school administration to
constantly communicate this message in numerous ways and to make sure plans are in place and
carried out to reach that vision.
Two ways that I worked on competency 001 during my internship were through participating
in site-based decision-making committee meetings (SBDMC) and CARE team meetings. In the
SBDMC meetings, I was able to work with teachers, parents, and community members on the
reading initiatives of the campus. I also served as the administrator in CARE team meetings.
During these meetings, the Response to Intervention (RTI) specialist, classroom teachers, and I
discussed struggling students, their progress through the RTI tiers, and interventions attempted
by teachers.
Competency 002
Throughout the school year, I have communicated and collaborated with parents, teachers,
and students. As the need arose, I began to offer after-school tutoring for struggling students one
day per week. This grew to three days a week when the group grew from one to seven students.
Now, my tutoring group includes students in grades three through five. I work with their
teachers to mobilize resources in both English and Spanish.

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Competency 003

As part of an aspiring leader program in my district, I have attended several meetings that
have focused on integrity and ethics. Participants have worked together in groups to create and
share presentations with district leaders. We have also discussed legal solutions to common
problems, and we have been challenged to create a program the district can use to train all
employees.
Competency 004
As a part of the SBDMC, I have worked on the supplemental components of the school-wide
reading improvement initiative outlined in the Campus Improvement Plan (CIP). Committee
members have been tasked with researching different reading materials such as Weekly Reader
and Highlights magazines for instructional value, cost, and student interest. The options will be
presented at the next SBDMC meeting. These instructional resources will become a part of
classroom libraries as a part of the Balanced Literacy Program.
Competency 005
As an after-school tutor, I promote a campus culture conducive to student learning, and as a
future principal, I plan to continue to tutor students after school. This will send a message, I
believe, that academic performance is important and that we all need to work together to help
struggling students. Because I also believe very strongly in servant leadership, I hope that my
example will encourage more teachers to tutor after school.
I am also the Gifted and Talented (GT) Coordinator on my campus. When I saw that the
current program wasnt working, I began to pull students out of class to work on GT projects

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COURSE REFLECTIONS

with me. I meet with all grades, K-5, for one hour per week. The focus for this semester is
service learning, and we chose the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as our topic. Students in
grades K-2 are working on books for patients to share with local hospitals. Students in grades 35 prepared presentations, posters, and coordinated fundraising efforts for the Pennies for
Patients drive in February. We were very proud to raise over $1,600.00 even though we are a
very low socioeconomic Title 1 school. I have also worked with the district GT coordinator to
train all teachers on my campus so that students can work on projects in their homerooms as
well.
Competency 006
Perhaps the best learning experience I have had in competency 006 has been as the Campus
Testing Coordinator (CTC). I was responsible for training the entire campus on test security and
subject-specific testing guidelines. Using information provided by the district, I modified and
presented that information to staff members in two trainings. I was also responsible for ensuring
that all certified teachers completed online training modules. Because of several testing
irregularities that occurred in March, the district testing coordinator, principal, and I developed a
system for supervising all teachers more thoroughly and for monitoring one problem teacher in
particular. I also developed the second staff training with the aim of correcting these procedural
and monitoring errors.
Competency 007
In early April, while the principal and assistant principal were at an overnight science camp
with most of the 5th graders, I stayed behind to serve as campus administrator. I also worked
with the remaining 5th grade teacher and students to provide an equivalent learning opportunity.
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COURSE REFLECTIONS

Approximately 45 5th graders went to camp while 31 stayed behind because their parents would
not allow them to spend the night away from home without family. We conducted experiments
such as protecting the egg during an egg drop, designing and building catapults, and building a
sturdy structure with limited supplies. We also went on a field trip to the Museum of Natural
Science in Houston. As a former science teacher, I really enjoyed the opportunity to work with
students in the classroom again.
Competency 008
Competency 008 encompasses a broad area of campus functions. But, as far as leadership
goes, I strive to be a servant to others. Rather than dictate how I want things done, I solicit the
opinions of other school stakeholders, and I truly value those opinions. I ask, How can I help
you? I also try to treat others the way I would like to be treated with dignity and respect. This
goes for all employees from custodians to the superintendent of the district.
In relation to budget and finance in particular, I have learned a great deal this semester from
my University of St. Thomas (UST) coursework. Where I was oblivious to this vital aspect of
education for my previous thirteen years as an educator, through my UST courses I have learned
that Title 1 funding must be spent on increased parent involvement, instructional activities, and
professional development for teachers. I have also had numerous conversations with my
principal and her secretary concerning the schools Title 1 and general fund budgets.
Competency 009
For my leadership course at UST, I researched and wrote a paper on ensuring a safe and
effective learning environment. I discovered some great ideas designed to fulfill this
competency. The first thing I learned was the importance of the principal walking the building at
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least once every day. High visibility allows a principal a chance to not only survey the building
for safety and cleanliness but more importantly to interact with students, know their names and
their concerns, and to try to solve small problems before they become big problems. Another
great idea was to enlist the help of students. Principals can institute school-wide programs such
as cleaning the classroom for thirty seconds at the end of the day while a fun song plays on the
intercom. This builds school pride and lets students know it is important to everyone to have a
safe, clean working environment.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that my courses at UST have opened my eyes to many of the
issues a school principal will face. I also learned how important it is to make decisions carefully
and with the input of all the people that will be affected. I know that the knowledge and
experiences I have gained will guide me as I take the next step in my career as an educator.

Dana B. Ricks/April 19, 2015