COMPETENCY REFLECTIONS

Based on Internship Experience

At St. Cecilia Catholic School
2015 - 2016

Competency 001:
Shaping Campus Culture

During my internship, I saw firsthand the importance of competency

001 in shaping campus culture among the entire school community. I
clearly saw the entire communitys involvement in the schools
service learning program called the GO projects (Giving of
Ourselves). Although I did not develop or implement this program, I
experienced the articulation and stewardship of the GO projects
within the entire school community throughout the school year.
Everyone from the Pre-K 3 to the eighth grade students and their
parents, as well as the faculty and staff were a part of a service
project during the year. It was a great collaborative experience.

I have gained a better understanding of the complex roles of todays

principals in shaping the culture of a school campus. School leaders
need to ensure that all members of the school community are valued
and feel like an integral part of the team in order. When morale is
high, then all stakeholders will be willing to actively participate and
collaborate towards the achievement of the schools vision.

Competency 002:
Communication & Collaboration

During my internship experience, I did not have a major role in

communication. However, I did see the great significance
communication plays in the smooth operation of the school. For
example, I addressed this competency when I participated in the
monthly meetings with the academic dean and new teachers. These
meetings are to help keep new teachers informed of school events as
well as for the new teachers to discuss any concerns they have as a
faculty member.

In addition, my internship experience provided me with great

opportunities to collaborate with different members of the school
community in preparing for the school accreditation by the Texas
Catholic Conference Education Department (TCCED). It was a
school-wide collaborative effort that illustrated for me the
importance of collaborating and working well together as a team. I
firmly believe communication and collaboration are the main
ingredients to running a successful school community.

Competency 003:
Integrity, Fairness, and Ethics

In my internship experience, I learned that the school must clearly

communicate to stakeholders any and all of their policies. And the
school must also stay in compliance with these policies in order to
stay fair and ethical. In addition, this competency was addressed
when I observed school leaders who were well-versed in the schools
policies in order to be advocates for students. I feel it is essential for
a school leader to be an advocate for student learning and a voice for
the child. I have seen the students who constantly act out to be
the ones who are in most need of help and support.

As a future school leader, I believe it is important to lead by example

and approach my job duties with integrity and fairness. As a future
school leader, it is essential that I hold myself to the highest degree
of conduct in decision-making and professional activities according to
school policies.

Competency 004:
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

During my internship, this competency was addressed when I

worked closely with the Academic Dean in reviewing the Curriculum
for English, Science, Math, and Religion to ensure vertical alignment.
In addition, this competency was also addressed when we analyzed
data to ensure compliance and rigor as well as meaning to
instruction to ensure student success and the goals of the
instructional programs were being met.

I learned it is of utmost importance to use student data for

curriculum planning, student learning and educational accountability.
In addition, collaboration and the teachers knowledge of the
purpose of all curricular activities and decisions helps to produce
meaningful implementation of curriculum, instruction and
assessment.

Competency 005:
Sustaining Instructional Programs Conducive to
Student Learning & Staff Professional Growth

During my internship, I addressed this competency when I worked

alongside the academic dean to check all of the facultys Curriculum
Validation Forms each quarter. In addition, I also addressed this
competency by analyzing student data to address areas in need of
instructional improvement and support. For example, I searched for
different informational text activities as samples of what teachers
could do to teach for informational text. Also, I searched for
professional growth opportunities (e.g. conferences, workshops, etc.)
to help address areas of growth for teachers to enhance their
instructional strategies.

I learned this competency is important because the school leader

must be able to facilitate the development of campus programs and
allocate resources that support instructional improvement.

Competency 006:
Staff Evaluation and Development

During my internship, I was given the opportunity to actively

participate in the teacher evaluation process based on the model
used by the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools. I was constantly
performing classroom formal and informal classroom observations/
walkthroughs and even conducted pre- and post-observation
conferences with teachers for feedback for improvement of
instructional strategies and professional development.

I also learned that the school leader must have a trusting

relationship with faculty members in order to work closely to
successfully and positively address their individual instructional
needs as well as the goals for the improvement of the entire school
community.

Competency 007:
Decision-Making & Problem-Solving Skills

During my internship experience, I participated in many meetings

driven by school data. One of the most important things I have
learned is the need to involve all stakeholders, data, and resources
as possible in the decision-making process. During my internship, I
came to see the importance of the effective means for gathering,
analyzing and using data from a variety of sources in order to make
informed campus decisions.

I will continue to learn more about organizational, decision-making,

and problem-solving skills to ensure an effective learning
environment.

Competency 008:
Budgeting & Resource Allocation

During my internship, I had several opportunities to participate in

the school budget process. I have learned that it is vital, as a
school leader, to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure
effective and creative budget planning and management as well as
the allocation of resources to enhance student learning.
In addition, I have also worked on a mock budget (from beginning
to end) in my principal formation program with the Catholic Schools
Office. This mock budget activity taught me the importance of
leadership and management for the correct utilization of resources
of a school campus.
I learned that effective planning and time management must go
hand in hand in order to achieve campus-wide goals. I plan to grow
more knowledgeable in the budgeting process and to work
collaboratively with stakeholders for financial resources beneficial to
student learning.

Competency 009:
School Safety

During my internship, I had many opportunities to address

principles of leadership and management for campus safety. Some
examples of my involvement to help ensure a safe and effective
learning environment include creating evacuation route procedures
and maps, checking the school building and individual classrooms
for compliance to fire codes, and participating in fire and lock down
drills.

I learned that all schools must have clear procedures for

emergencies and responding to crises. I will continue to learn more
about strategies for school safety that are in compliance with state
and federal laws. But most importantly, I learned that student
safety must be one of the priorities to address before learning can
take place.