Drake University SOE Educational Leadership Program

Clinical I
EDL: 280

Progress on Clinical Goal 1
My first CLP goal was to investigate the degree of collaboration among staff, students
and parents in the district, paying particular attention to diversity. This was a good year at Van
Allen. We still have naysayers (I have learned to think of them as reality check people), but
most teachers seem willing to collaborate and give new things a try. Our principal (my mentor)
created a last-minute plan to bring technology to students during the summer. It involved staff
volunteers going to the public library on Wednesday afternoons for 90 minutes. The students
could then work on some computer-based programs to maintain math and reading skills. It was
great to see the available time slots quickly filled by volunteering teachers. Even though there
were some glitches at the first meeting, it hasnt discouraged staff members or students from
coming. The student turnout is low, but you have to start somewhere.

Progress on Clinical Goal 2
My second goal is to investigate and analyze communication among stakeholders, both
laterally within a building and vertically within the district. When I began attending school
board meetings more regularly, I realized that our superintendent and school board practice the
minimum amount of communication necessary. This allows them to make the changes they want
with little interference. It puts the responsibility of being well-informed mostly on part of
interested stakeholders. This practice backfired at the end of the school year.
At the May school board meeting, the superintendent wanted the board to pass a new plan
for professional development. The plan was to have 90-minute late starts every Monday, a
change from the twice-monthly late starts. This would solve some logistical problems of finding
time for data team meetings. It was not an ideal plan for the elementary staff (they would have
preferred early outs), but it would be an improvement over the current situation.
Some parents of elementary students caught wind of the plan and showed up at the board
meeting. They were not happy because they felt it was another instance in which elementary
students would be disadvantaged in favor of benefitting older students. They brought up issues
of child care as well. They did not appreciate the fact that this proposed change in the school
schedule was not widely broadcast to families, especially because it would greatly impact their
everyday lives. The parents felt that the administration and board were not interested in their
opinions. That was probably true because asking for parental feedback would complicate things.
Because of the last minute complaints, the issue was tabled. There were many reasons for the
general unhappiness that followedschool board members were angry with each other, parents
were angry at being slighted, contract negotiations were stalled because professional
development was one of the last things to be negotiated, the superintendent was not going to
enter retirement on a happy note, and teachers would leave for the summer not knowing what the
calendar would be for next year.
In the end, the original proposition was approved. After all the interested stakeholders
were given information and all of the options were explained, it was obvious that Monday was
the only day available, and that a late start was probably more logical than an early out. If the
district had been a little more transparent from the outset, a lot of mistrust and anger could have
been avoided. When it comes to issues that impact a lot of stakeholders, it is important to ask for
feedback.

Progress on Clinical Goal 3
The third goal is to investigate the impact of technology on instruction and climate and
culture in the district. I volunteered to make a photo montage for the assembly on the last day of
school. I was glad that people did not try to run from me when I stopped by to take photos with
the I-Pad. I explained that I wanted everyone represented. I think people respected that. I was
also fortunate that other people contributed photos from throughout the school year. I used
Movie Maker to turn the photos into a movie, complete with music. I can see why people create
movies or write songs. It was quite a rush to see that my efforts were well-received by the
students. They laughed at the right parts, they sang along to an excerpt of one of the songs, and
many of the fifth graders cried at the end when they saw photos about them. That made me cry
and I wasnt alone. I would like to help guide some students into making videos for special
occasions next year. It would be good to see things through their eyes.

Next Steps
The next steps will be to find a new mentor outside of the district and formulate new
goals. It will be a challenge to work outside of the district, but it should also be rewarding. I
will be interested to see how things work in a different district.