Leadership |
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Grant |
| The state of Texas has provided local districts with
an opportunity to apply for an Academics 2000 Grant that would focus on the "reading
initiative". In May of 1998, I organized a Literacy 2000 Task Force of ten
representatives to begin studying campus needs and to brainstorm possible program
priorities and strategies. Since August we’ve met every three weeks diligently to
focus and restructure our thoughts. It’s now time to apply for the grant. As I reflect I’ve never seen teamwork function more efficiently. The most fabulous ideas have been generated to meet the diverse needs of primary children on our campus. Presentations have been made to our faculty and the school board, and at every corner I find another possibility. Coordinating this grant effort has given me the opportunity to explore numerous ideas for programming while considering what’s best for kids. Livingston Primary met the application deadline of February 5th. Many tedious hours were spent to perfect and include community and university collaboration. What an opportunity to work closely with other professionals to produce a coordinated project that crosses ethnic, cultural, and societal barriers. I can only hope and pray that grant evaluators will deem our efforts with merit! This experience has definitely broadened my horizon. The ideas generated from the Literacy 2000 Task Force were superb. Their efforts will not be wasted. I am already looking for ways to implement some of the suggested programming, even without the grant funding support. In the future, I will more diligently look for other grant opportunities, realizing the many benefits of collaboration when searching for effective programming. |
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Leadership Early Assessment Program |
This past summer, Dr. Merchant, Chair of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at SHSU, asked me to partake in a pilot training session for the Leadership Early Assessment Program (LEAP). This assessment may be used as one of the approved ways administrators may receive their five-year appraisal. The dates happened to coincide with my vacation time from school, so I jumped at the chance. I participated in an intense three-day session with a team of school administrators, university professors, and doctoral students to learn how to assess the leadership skills of aspiring professionals in education. This is one of the most helpful things I have done for personal growth. The training gave me insight into characteristics of effective leaders and was helpful in observing leadership traits as they were revealed in realistic, on the spot situations. The training seminar exposed me to a design for appraisal not yet experienced. I was trained to evaluate responses and write reports to be delivered to aspiring administrators or current administrators that would assist them in the development of leadership skills. Participation in LEAP renewed university associations and provided opportunities for networking. I will utilize the professional information as I interview and apply for new jobs. The training was valuable as I analyze my own proficiencies as an administrator, and target areas for improvement. Qualities of the effective leader will be woven into my everyday practices with students, parents, the community, and other administrators and will be incorporated into my career philosophies, values, and goals. I feel my own leadership has been strengthened due to participation in LEAP. |
| Continued Post Graduate Work |
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