From Caterpillar to Butterfly…

1. From Caterpillar to Butterfly… …A Leader Emerges Summative Essay By: Jennifer Davis Williams 12-4-08

2. The Caterpillar Crawls…

3. GLISI and Me

4. GLISI and Me GLISI is an acronym for Georgia’s Leadership Institute for School Improvement. They have developed Modules for leader development and performance improvement in Georgia school districts and schools. “These modules were designed to be used by teachers in preparation for leadership and leaders during induction and transition in leadership roles.” During my coursework in the leadership certification program at Georgia State University, I was taught the eight roles of school leaders through the GLISI framework.

5. Eight Roles of School Leaders at a Glance • Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Leader • Data Analysis Leader • Process Improvement Leader • Learning and Performance Development Leader • Relationship Leader • Performance Leader • Operations Leader • Change Leader

6. I am a Data Analysis Leader!A Data Analysis Leader demonstrates the ability to lead teams to analyze multiple sources of data to identify improvement needs, symptoms and root causes. • Qualifications: After School Tutorial Director • Duties: As the after school tutorial director, I had to analyze multiple sources of data to identify improvement needs, symptoms, and deficiencies in low performing students. I was solely responsible for testing, assessing, and managing the program • Reflections: Data analysis proved to be my strong point. After only a month of managing the program, I found that I am really good at this part of governance. I learned that I love to look at the details in the big picture and have a knack for using data to guide curriculum

7. I am an Operations Leader!An operations leader demonstrates the ability to effectively and efficiently organize resources, processes and systems, to support teaching and learning. • Qualifications:After School Tutorial Director • Duties: Each day at work, I act as an operations leader. However, as the director of the tutorial program, I acted as the operations leader for my program. I organized the cars for student pick up outside the school. I arranged a schedule for bus riders to be picked up with the county bus barn. I provided supervision for students while they waited for the bus each day. I organized an early check out procedure and dismissal policy • Reflections: I am a good operations leader. I think I am good at this aspect of leadership because I am very organized and detail orientated.

8. I am Relationship Leader!A relationship leader demonstrates the ability to identify and develop relationships among customer and stakeholder groups and communicate school goals and priorities focused on student learning. • Qualifications: Superintendent’s Diversity Focus Group • Duties: As part of the superintendent’s diversity focus group, I had the opportunity to show my skills as a relationship leader. I demonstrated the ability to develop relationships among various groups. I worked with teachers, custodians, cafeteria engineers, principals, and the superintendent s to create a better learning environment for all students in Rockdale County. • Reflections: I was able to make a difference. This left me with a sense of fulfillment. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of this group because it gave me insight into what other people are thinking and feeling. I believe that they enjoyed having me around too.

9. I am a Process Improvement Leader!A process improvement leader demonstrates the ability to identify and map core processes and results to create action plans designed to improve student achievement. • Qualifications: Black History Committee Co-Chair • Duties: My major duty was to modify and organize a black history month celebration which was educational and accurate. • Reflections: This is my weak area. I do not do well modifying programs that I do not believe in. I wanted to start a whole new tradition, but the principal felt strongly about keeping the program and just modifying some aspects of it. I did the job. It was a good celebration, but I did not like it.

10. I am a Change Leader!A change leader demonstrates the ability to drive and sustain change in a collegial environment focused on continued improvement in student achievement.. • Qualifications: After School Tutorial Program Director • Duties: Each month I hosted a thank you lunch for the tutorial staff. I made certificates for attendance, commitment, and morale. Teachers were told how much they were valued and worked hard for the students as a result. • Reflections: Showing appreciation for what our teachers do and encouraging sharing resources amongst one another can build a home out of a house. I have the “We are family attitude,” and I try to instill that into every teacher I encounter.

11. I am a Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Leader!A curriculum, assessment, and instruction leader demonstrates the ability to implement a systems approach to instruction in a standards-based environment prioritizing curriculum standards, developing aligned assessments and planning instruction to improve student achievement. • Qualifications: After School Tutorial Director • Duties: As the after school tutorial director, I had to analyze multiple sources of data to identify improvement needs, symptoms, and deficiencies in low performing students. During the course of the program, I used the data I collected to gauge what the needs of the tutorial population were and met them. As a result 93% of the students in the tutorial program successfully met the standards and passed the CRCT for the 2007-2008 school year. In fact, 100% of the fourth grade students met the standards and were promoted to fifth grade. • Reflections: These numbers prove that careful planning of curriculum and guidance in planning helps improve students’ comprehension. I did a great job!

12. I am a Learning and Development Leader!A learning and development leader demonstrates the ability to guide the development of professional learning communities to develop leaders at all levels of the organization. • Qualifications: Student Teacher Mentor • Duties: For the first time, I had a student teacher working with me in my classroom. This gave me the opportunity to guide another adult through the teaching process. I taught and modeled for her classroom management, effective planning, teaching, and assessment skills. I helped her learn how to teach writing, and create literature circles. I helped her write an effective professional resume, and taught her how to navigate her way through an interview. As a result, she secured her first teaching job in my school. This demonstrates my skills as a learning and development leader. • Reflections: This is the role I felt most comfortable in out of all of the eight GLISI roles. Because I am a natural teacher at heart, I think that learning and development is what I would like to pursue most.

13. Course Work

14. The Course Work • Reading, Living in a Culture of Change, changed the way I thought about governance • Leadership in Educational Organization and Supervision of Instruction enhanced my knowledge base by forcing me to read leadership journals and peer reviews on best practices • School Law helped me understand the dos and don’ts of governance

15. Strengths and Weaknesses

16. Children in England Children are children wherever you go. They have the same needs and wants. They need to be loved…they want to be loved.

17. The Study Abroad Trip to England There is more than one way to skin a cat! I saw that in action this summer. I learned so much about governance from these two people. They give so much of themselves. This trip was the highlight of being in this leadership program. The best way to learn for me is hands-on. What I learned from these two administrators is invaluable.

18. Final Thoughts…. I never thought about being a leader until I worked for an excellent one. He encouraged me to be my personal best. I hope one day to inspire someone else to be their personal best too.

19. Here goes the confident butterfly ready to explore all that life has in store. Watch me sore!