Summative Review

1. Enjoy – one click should take you from slide to slide. Take care! -Alan Summative Review D. Alan Fowler | GSU EPEL 7680 – Rockdale Cohort, 2008 | Dr. Jami Berry

2. PERSONAL OBJECTIVES SOUGHT BY MY ENROLLMENT IN THE LEADERSHIP COHORT • Prove to myself I could be a student again • Attain L-5 Certification • Gain a functional understanding of the perspective of the principal • Clarify in my mind the next step in my career

3. NOT A SLIDE – This would be narration… Here I would speak to the 4 points listed on the above slide While talking, I would reiterate the point about how I went back and forth with regard to the decision to sign on for the EPEL Leadership Cohort. Likely, I would stress the fact that had I not felt comfortable contacting Dr. Jami Berry – which I did from having known her for years – I would probably not have pulled the trigger and signed-up.

4. Could I be a student again? • Master’s Degree • Apprehension over the PRAXIS & over having to turn in assignments • Do I really want to be a principal? • Ball State University, 13 years ago in 1995 • While each year there are countless times I am evaluated, the thought of failing was scary • Being a band director is GREAT, but having options down the road cannot hurt

5. L-5 certification • What did the temptation of being able to attain L-5 Certification mean to me and why do it now? • Everything I read supported leadership certification in the future would be more difficult to achieve. • The Thursday nights in Conyers would – with the help of my band staff – prove possible.

6. The perspective of the principal • Greg Fowler • Nancy Strawbridge • Preston Malcolm • Russell Claxton • Linda Sevigny • Jami Berry • Time management Be there for your people • Parent, staff, BOE relations School management • Legal issues Policy management • Human resources Staff, school, district management • Curriculum implementation • The Internship, GSU relations

7. NOT A SLIDE – This would be narration…Here I would speak to the things I gained specifically from each professor As much a part of the cohort experience as the curriculum and the assignments, the experience of listening to and learning from the variety of professors to which the cohort was exposed proved quite valuable. The three sitting principals who served as professors each brought an interesting perspective to the classes. Mr. Fowler’s experiences as both a young and a veteran high school principal at Heritage also allowed the class to understand the demographic changes Rockdale County has experienced in the last 10 years. Dr. Claxton’s varied experiences as both a former HS principal and current (though brief) stint as a middle school principal were enlightening to say the least. And our two semesters with Ms. Strawbridge brought a wonderful and much needed elementary administrative perspective to the cohort. Each teacher taught/shared much more than just the prescribed curriculum.

8. The g.l.i.s.i. roles The rest of the GLISI Roles can be found on the next slide.

9. The g.l.i.s.i. roles

10. Operations leader • Day-to-day running of the band program • Yearly activities that sustain the program • Hiring of staff • Filling positions • Planning activities • Overseeing groups and ensembles • Calls, e-mails, appointments, etc…

11. Performance leader • Numerous presentations by the marching band, the concert and symphonic bands, as well as smaller ensembles. • Also, the overall accomplishments of the Fine Arts Department: staff , classes, and students.

12. Data analysis leader • While I can have goals for the bands, I must be able to asses the incoming students abilities and talent. • Only through that analysis can I determine what music we need to attempt or to program. • Also, as department chair it is important that I understand a variety of data regarding scheduling and student achievement.

13. Curriculum, assessment, and instruction leader • Everything the band plays, I am charged with choosing Meaning: While there are prescribed standards, I am 100% responsible for the curriculum! • There is very little of what band directors teach that is not selected and led by the person on the podium. • Also, each year I am asked to evaluate textbooks and music and this fall I was nominated to sit on the committee that will rewrite the Fine Arts Standards for the GA DOE.

14. Change & Process improvement leader • It has been said that “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” (A. Einstein) • There are many things the Eastside Band, band students, band director, and band boosters do that can be done better – Therein lies the challenge! • The same things can be said for the Fine Arts Department and many other groups with which I am involved. • One key is to know the toes on which to avoid stepping.

15. NOT A SLIDE – This would be narration…Here I would offer this correlation to an earlier assignment Here I think back to the book I reported on last spring: Captain Michael Abrashoff’sIt’s Your Ship, in which Abrashoff explains his take on the necessity of change and the pitfalls leaders face. Two of his suggestions were: If a rule doesn’t make sense, break it. If a rule does make sense, break it carefully. There is great sense in not stepping on the wrong toes – and there are times to tread lightly. The entire book is a worthy read for any leader charged with initiating change and increasing achievement. My copy is available to anyone who would like to borrow it.

16. Learning and development leader • Simply put, any day-to-day, week-to-week, semester-to-semester, or year-to-year progress that is made by the band students or the band collective must be guided by the director. • This year has seen me step up my efforts to coordinate cooperation between the arts teachers throughout Newton County. These efforts have resulted in Band & Chorus Director meetings and seminars, as well as Drama and Visual Art teacher meetings. The arts teachers need to utilize and support each other.

17. Relationship leader • This is the area that is most difficult for me. • It is also the area of leadership where I believe I have learned the most. • The cohort and the internship have driven me to be more outgoing and willing to ask for help. • WHY? Because I am not the warm-fuzzy type. • Some of the experiences I have had this year have taught me that I am not in this alone, there are people who want to help and support me and my efforts. • Thanks!!!

18. The fork in the road • When I signed on for this adventure, I was just recovering from a series of decisions in my life that ultimately kept me and my family in Covington. • I needed a direction and I am glad I found it!

19. NOT A SLIDE – This could be narration…Below are the concluding paragraphs from my summative paper - they pretty much explain where I am in my professional journey Upon the completion of the Ed Leadership certification program, I can confidently affirm my decision to enroll was a good one, the objectives and goals I set out to meet were met, and I look forward to the Education Specialist program. As I continue directing bands and teaching students, I am in no hurry to move into the ranks of administration. In one sense I am in an enviable position; I have a terrific job, doing what I love to do, and am well respected my colleagues and community. As a result of attaining L-5 certification and by 2010 an L-6 certificate, as other opportunities arise I will be in a position to pursue the ones that appeal to me. In conclusion, I have been to the fork in the road and have decided there is still much to be done where I am; there will be a time in the future to choose a new direction, but now it is my goal to make the most of what I have. Again, thank you each for the role you have played in this voyage.

20. objectives revisited & Final thoughts RECAP OF OBJECTIVES • YES – Proved returning to school is possible. • L-5 Certificate will be in place under the “old” rules • Enjoyed and gained a great deal from the professor-administrators we met as part of the program • Still enjoy being a band director and look forward to many more years, but this experience allows me more options down the road FINAL THOUGHTS • Classes were much more enjoyable than I ever thought. • Most assignments were thought provoking and opened my mind to new ideas or practices • Gained a great deal from colleagues in the cohort – truly enjoyed meeting and sharing with non-band directors (Band directors are great folks, but it was refreshing to meet other educators.) • Over the last several years, I thought I was getting dumber – it was nice to challenge my brain and to put it to work!

21. THE END THANK YOU & Happy Holidays!!! I hate that I have to miss the supper session at Tava’s … Come see the Eastside Band in the Covington Christmas Parade on Saturday!