Running head: COMPETENCY REFLECTION

Competency Reflection

Araceli Anguiano

University of St. Thomas

Dr. Patrick Huff

EDUC 6336 Administrative Practicum II

Spring 2020
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Competency Reflection

Competency 001: The beginning principal knows how to establish and implement a shared

vision and culture of high expectations for all stakeholders (students, staff, parents, and

community).

As part of the practicum experience, I have been able to observe the impact that creating a vision

and culture of high expectations has on everyone in the school community. I have been able to

observe how setting a clear and detailed plan for high expectations for the school community can

have a positive or negative impact on several aspects of the school. These entail academics,

behavior, teacher morale, curriculum, and teacher turnover. School leaders are the catalyst in

establishing the shared vision and high expectations that will trickle throughout the educational

system.

Competency 002: The beginning principal knows how to work with stakeholders as key

partners to support student learning.

As I reflect upon competency 002, I have been able to understand that being a school leader is a

role which needs to have community support and participation. In order to affect change, a

leader cannot rely only on themselves. In the school community, working with teachers,

curriculum specialists, instructional coaches, parents, administrators, the custodians, cafeteria

managers, and the local community are important in building a supportive learning environment.
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Competency 003: The beginning principal knows how to collaboratively develop and

implement high-quality instruction.

Working through competency 003 has shown me the importance of working collaboratively

with a diverse set of backgrounds and abilities to plan and set forth high quality instruction. Also

utilizing the leadership and educational knowledge teachers possess to learn and propel the

school towards excellence. As seen through the equity audit, I noticed that the teachers on

campus have so much to offer, yet they are not always given the opportunity to share their

expertise and the education acquired. Yet when given the opportunity, teachers take ownership

and become self-directed in implementing high-quality instruction and are eager to share their

success with others.

Competency 004: The beginning principal knows how to monitor and assess classroom

instruction to promote teacher effectiveness and student achievement.

As I reflect on competency 004, I was able to observe several classes through the district’s

instructional rounds. The observations allowed me to view several classrooms, a variety of

teaching styles, and varying grade levels to understand how to assess classroom instruction to

promote instructional moves within the school. In addition, several readings through books such

as Get Better Faster: A 90 Day Plan for Coaches by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo, have further

developed my understanding of how a principal should serve as a coach and should aim to

develop teachers and not be evaluative without any further development. I am looking forward

to further training on the TTESS system to understand how the evaluation process for the state

operates since the training is often a requirement for administrative positions.

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Competency 005: The beginning principal knows how to provide feedback, coaching, and

professional development to staff through evaluation and supervision, knows how to reflect

on his/her own practice, and strives to grow professionally.

Reflecting upon competency 005 helps me to evaluate my need for further development

providing professional development for staff. I do aim to continue to seek these opportunities as

I continue to work on the principal certification. This school year I was fortunate to be able to

supervise an education intern from the University of Houston to further develop her professional

growth. I also worked with a first-year teacher on my team to coach her through some of the

challenges many face their first year as teachers. This helped me to understand that being open

and transparent when communicating is important when providing evaluations and supervision.

It also showed me that coaching is a great way to develop trusting relationships that can impact

change. As far as being reflective and striving to grow professionally, I feel it maybe one of my

strengths since I have an internal motivation to continue to learn in order to develop myself in

order to impact change on students and their communities.

Competency 006: The beginning principal knows how to promote high-quality teaching by

using selection, placement, and retention practices to promote teacher excellence and

growth.

Reflecting upon competency 006 shows me the importance of hiring and retaining teachers in

order to promote teacher excellence and academic growth for the school. The equity audit

showed me how to analyze and use the data regarding teacher years of experience, degrees, and

years retained in order to determine where teacher strengths may be utilized in order to help
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support students, teachers, and other staff. I was able to be part of an interview committee in

order to understand the process that is taken when hiring an individual.

Competency 007: The beginning principal knows how to develop relationships with

internal and external stakeholders, including selecting appropriate communication

strategies for particular audiences.

Competency 007 is a competency that I will continue to practice in order to become a very

effective communicator and a leader that can build lasting relationships with stakeholders in a

variety of positions. I believe part of it is derived from building confidence and continual

exposure to a variety of situations as well as finding a balance with work, family, and friends.

Reading, Dare to Lead, by Brene Brown, has taught me that being vulnerable, daring, and

promoting self-care for yourself and employees is powerful in communicating and building

relationships. I plan on utilizing many of the concepts discussed in the book in order to continue

my growth in addressing this competency.

Competency 008: The beginning principal knows how to focus on improving student

outcomes through organizational collaboration, resiliency, and change management. This

includes knowledge and skill in conflict resolution, trust/consensus building, relationship

building, and dealing with challenging situations, (PSEL related.)

Reflecting upon competency 008 further instills the importance of listening to input from

educators in the classrooms in order to build collaborative efforts which will improve student

outcomes. Building resilience in the face of disappointment is imperative in order to continue to

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push forward towards the shared goal yet knowing that you have given your best regardless of

the outcome. I have seen this consistently with teachers who pour their heart out into teaching

students and they continue to find ways in which they will continue to help improve their

students scores, regardless of how initial scores may be. To address the conflict resolution

portion of this competency, I would say that I have had to work through conflict that has arisen

throughout the year as a team leader and as a teacher. I have learned that it is a good idea to take

some time to reflect prior to addressing the concern. It is also important to determine whether it

is worth addressing and risk damaging the trust or relationship you hold with others. Sometimes

it maybe a wait and see situation, but if the concern does not resolve, it is best to address the

concern in a respectful, professional, and honest manner.

Competency 009: The beginning principal knows how to collaboratively determine goals

and implement strategies aligned with the school vision that supports teacher effectiveness

and positive student outcomes.

Using several observations and data, I have gained an understanding of how it is important to

collect data, analyze data, and determine which goals to address in collaboration with teachers to

help build positive student outcomes. I have been able to take part in some aspects of

collaborative goal setting, but I look forward to working in a different capacity which will allow

me to make decisions that will have a greater impact on the school community.

Competency 010: The beginning principal knows how to provide administrative leadership

through resource management, policy implementation, and coordination of school

operations and programs to ensure a safe learning environment.

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Reflecting upon competency 010 I have gained a better understanding of the importance of

policy implementation and the coordination of school operations and programs to ensure a safe

learning environment. I have experienced how it is very important to ensure the safety of

students, but equally as important to ensure the safety of teachers and staff. It is important to

think through several possible situations and ensure that you understand the school’s and district

policies.

Competency 011: The beginning principal knows how to provide ethical leadership by

advocating for children and ensuring student access to effective educators, programs, and

services.

Competency 011 addresses ethical leadership which I feel we have learned much about. Through

the equity audit we were able to analyze different equitable issues that schools may present, and

how to begin to address certain inequities. As a teacher I have been able to show ethical

leadership on a smaller scale than I believe a principal may enact, but it has involved advocating

for the social, academic, cultural, and language needs students possess. In addition, advocating

for parent access to information in their language as well as an increased awareness of diversity

amongst teachers, students, and staff. Further efforts into addressing socio-economic concerns

that contribute to the academic gaps many students hold such as creating enrichment programs

can be a powerful tool. I feel I have made great gains in this competency, but also recognized

that setting forth many positive actions can signify facing many hurdles and challenges along the

way.
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