Professional Portfolio for Cherie Haydel Goins

1. Professional PortfolioforCherie Haydel Goins Louisiana Educational Leaders’ Induction Program 2009-2010

2. Introduction • Administrator at Martin Behrman Charter School, Academy of Creative Arts and Sciences, in Algiers • Doctoral Candidate at UNO • Certified teacher since 1992 • Background in Professional Development • Expert in Technology Integration • Singer, Writer, and Visual Artist • Research focus: School Leaders and their use of Technology for School Improvement

3. Five Year Goals • In five years I hope to be have a doctorate in Educational Leadership • I hope to accept a placement as a principal of a new primary school in the New Orleans area • I hope to achieve recognition as an outstanding school leader in the use of technology

4. Philosophy of Education “If knowledge is power, than education is the key to liberation.” • I am intrigued with Paulo Freire, Brazilian educationalist, who explores education as cultural action in his work (1972), Pedagogy of the Oppressed. • Education is vitally important to democracy: if people are to rule themselves, then they must have access to accurate information and must have the ability to think critically when weighing up various ideas and situations. The educational system, as it is currently arranged, teaches what to think but not how to think. It should (and with a change of emphasis, easily could) be fostering critical and creative thought with a goal of producing with each successive generation, greater independence and personal responsibility. • Education can help people who are underprivileged to level the playing field – to move upward in social class.

5. Standard 1School Vision A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.

6. Vision for Instructional Leadership • “If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you. If you really make them think, they'll hate you.” – Don Marquis • As a leader, I value self-awareness and self-reflection highly. • I wish to accomplish the task of bringing others to a place where they are more self- aware and self-reflective. • I understand that this may be difficult to accomplish.

7. Vision for Learners • A student who attends our school should exit with… • A documented record of continued academic growth each year • A strong foundation in the arts and sciences with strong oral and self-expressive skills • A positive self concept and high confidence

8. Vision for Teachers • Teachers should be self-reflective and constantly growing in the areas of instructional delivery and professionalism • Teachers should be actively involved in the process of improving the quality of instruction to ensure student academic growth • This can be accomplished by meeting regularly to discuss classroom observation results, student achievement, and implementation of new research-based instructional strategies

9. Vision for Professional Growth • Professional growth is an on-going process of self-evaluation, researching, planning for improvement, and implementation of best practices and highly effective research-based methods

10. Vision for Stakeholders • All stakeholders should be actively involved in planning, execution and evaluation of school improvement activities. • Regularly scheduled meetings are vital to this process as well as documentation of the plan, activities, and evaluation. • Stakeholder surveys and feedback forms can be completed online to allow for faster analysis of results

11. Standard 2School Culture A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.

12. Professional Development Plan PD Plan 2009-2010 Click on image to open document

13. Reflection • Our professional development plan was devised at the beginning of this school year to guide our pd activities. • Topics were determined based on student and teacher needs. Teachers who attended the professional development sessions offered took away practical strategies to use in the classroom. Thus, it directly impacts teaching and learning. • Next year we will focus on revamping our science program. We will offer additional professional development in the areas of earth science, physical science, life science, and technological science. • All students will benefit from a more intensive science program. Hands-on, investigative activities will make science class and computer class more enjoyable and productive.

14. Standard 3Managing the Organization A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.

15. Monthly Newsletter The Behrman Buzz Click on image to open document

16. Reflection • Our monthly newsletter outlines upcoming events, documents school activities, and keeps our community informed about the wonderful things that are buzzin’ at Behrman. • The newsletter can be used as a calendar reference reminding us of the dates of school events and providing pictures which document their success. • I would like to see previous issues of the Buzz compiled into one big bound document of school improvement activities and events.

17. Standard 4 Collaboration A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.

18. Behrman/LSU Medical Clinic Click on image to open document

19. Reflection • We collaborated with LSU Medical Center to bring a community health clinic to our school. • We have a close working relationship with the doctors, nurses, and other employees of the clinic. Our faculty, students, and families all visit the clinic regularly for their medical needs. • We are currently fighting to keep the clinic here at Behrman. We were told that funding is short and it may need to close. We need to document the success of the clinic in keeping our school community healthy.

20. Standard 5 Integrity A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.

21. “Drumming up Character” Program Click on image to open document

22. Reflection • "Drumming Up Character" uses drumming, dancing, and upbeat hip-hop music to highlight ethics themes including Caring, Fairness, Respect, Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Self-Control, Perseverance, Courage, Integrity, and Citizenship. • All students and faculty who participated in this program received reinforcement of those positive character traits.

23. Standard 6Larger Context A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

24. NCEBC Conference Booklet Click on image to open document

25. Reflection • After attending the National Council on Education Black Children Conference, I gained an awareness of the larger political implications of educating black children. • I learned that we must empower our children as well as educate them. • I wish to redeliver the most powerful ideas I gained from the conference to my faculty and to apply some of the things I learned on a daily basis as I make empowering children my main goal.

26. Self Evaluation Growth • This year was my third full year as an assistant principal. I have grown in confidence and ability. I have learned to pull back and observe before I speak or act. Relationships • I have been building stronger relationships with my teachers and they have come to trust me and appreciate my knowledge and expertise. Empowering Teachers • I have begun a big push to “teach men to fish” by showing others how to do the things that only I have done in the past. This empowers teachers and it helps our school.