21 COMPETENCIES FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
Communication – Effectively listens to others; clearly and effectively presents and understands information orally and in writing; acquires, organizes, analyzes, interprets, maintains information needed to achieve school or team 21st century objectives.
During the COVID-19 crisis I volunteered to be on the JCPS call center from 2-5pm daily assisting parents and stakeholders with information regarding school during these uncertain times. It is important that parents have the opportunity to speak to someone to gain both clarity and insight on what to expect about graduation, grades, prom and sporting events.
During the COVID-19 crisis I volunteered to be on the JCPS call center from 2-5pm daily assisting parents and stakeholders with information regarding school during these uncertain times. It is important that parents have the opportunity to speak to someone to gain both clarity and insight on what to expect about graduation, grades, prom and sporting events.
Change Management – Effectively engages staff and community in the change process in a manner that ensures their support of the change and its successful implementation.
I was able to take a deep data dive by collecting information for a Human Capital Table. Knowing your staff is crucial especially to a new principal. It is pivotal that you know the talent in the building, your most tenured teachers, teacher responsibilities in the building, as well as extra duties. The Human Capital Table create talking points, build trust and moral, and will help me connect with staff. I must be intentional when working with different personalities while incorporating a shared vision. To create stakeholder buy-in, it is important to show how invested you are to the people you serve.
I was able to take a deep data dive by collecting information for a Human Capital Table. Knowing your staff is crucial especially to a new principal. It is pivotal that you know the talent in the building, your most tenured teachers, teacher responsibilities in the building, as well as extra duties. The Human Capital Table create talking points, build trust and moral, and will help me connect with staff. I must be intentional when working with different personalities while incorporating a shared vision. To create stakeholder buy-in, it is important to show how invested you are to the people you serve.
Conflict Management – Anticipates or seeks to resolve confrontations, disagreements, or complaints in a constructive manner.
I had the opportunity to be the lead administrator and provide support for at West Edgecombe middle school.l I had a situation where a student who had stolen a pair of AirPods from another student. I completed the investigation, located the missing items, contacted both sets of parents, emailed the head principal.
I had the opportunity to be the lead administrator and provide support for at West Edgecombe middle school.l I had a situation where a student who had stolen a pair of AirPods from another student. I completed the investigation, located the missing items, contacted both sets of parents, emailed the head principal.
Delegation – Effectively assigns work tasks to others in ways that provide learning experiences for them and in ways that ensure the efficient operation of the school.
This year, I had the opportunity to create the before and after school duty roster. When ensuring student safety it is imperative that teachers are visible and in the high volume traffic areas. Prior to creating the roster sheet I provided teachers with a questionnaire asking if they preferred morning or afternoon duty. My goal was to secure student safety, while accommodating the needs of the staff to the best of my ability. I divided staff between morning and afternoon duties. As an administration, we understand that some teachers have other responsibilities and children.
This year, I had the opportunity to create the before and after school duty roster. When ensuring student safety it is imperative that teachers are visible and in the high volume traffic areas. Prior to creating the roster sheet I provided teachers with a questionnaire asking if they preferred morning or afternoon duty. My goal was to secure student safety, while accommodating the needs of the staff to the best of my ability. I divided staff between morning and afternoon duties. As an administration, we understand that some teachers have other responsibilities and children.
Dialogue/Inquiry – Is skilled in creating a risk-free environment for engaging people in conversations that explore issues, challenges or bad relationships that are hindering school performance.
I was selected to be a part of the school’s Problem Solving Team, alongside two administrators, the social worker, the school nurse, two guidance counselors, and the data manager. The purpose of the team was to identify struggling students (academics, medical issues, attendance, behavior concerns, etc) and work together to find solutions to support them. My artifact is a screenshot from the spreadsheet we used to, track, update progress, and create a plan of action. Student names have been blacked out for confidentiality. Through our work, we saw an improvement in attendance and academics.
I was selected to be a part of the school’s Problem Solving Team, alongside two administrators, the social worker, the school nurse, two guidance counselors, and the data manager. The purpose of the team was to identify struggling students (academics, medical issues, attendance, behavior concerns, etc) and work together to find solutions to support them. My artifact is a screenshot from the spreadsheet we used to, track, update progress, and create a plan of action. Student names have been blacked out for confidentiality. Through our work, we saw an improvement in attendance and academics.
Emotional Intelligence – Is able to manage oneself through self awareness and self management and is able to manage relationships through empathy, social awareness and relationship management. This competency is critical to building strong, transparent, trusting relationships throughout the school community
During my internship, I used several opportunities to celebrate staff and student accomplishments. My favorite way to recognize students and staff is through Twitter. With Twitter, I was able to display some of the fantastic opportunities that were happening within the building and classrooms. I found that it was essential for our stakeholders to feel recognized and appreciated. In the post below I am recognizing a football player who was failing math and was in danger of being ineligible to play. With hard work and fantastic support from his teacher, he was able to remain eligible and bring up his grade by 2 letters. In the second post, I was able to recognize our Head Basketball Coach and Star basketball player for receiving Coach and Player of The Year Awards.
During my internship, I used several opportunities to celebrate staff and student accomplishments. My favorite way to recognize students and staff is through Twitter. With Twitter, I was able to display some of the fantastic opportunities that were happening within the building and classrooms. I found that it was essential for our stakeholders to feel recognized and appreciated. In the post below I am recognizing a football player who was failing math and was in danger of being ineligible to play. With hard work and fantastic support from his teacher, he was able to remain eligible and bring up his grade by 2 letters. In the second post, I was able to recognize our Head Basketball Coach and Star basketball player for receiving Coach and Player of The Year Awards.
Environmental Awareness – Becomes aware and remains informed of external and internal trends, interests and issues with potential impacts on school policies, practices, procedures and position.
I had the pleasure of helping spearhead this year’s Week of Kindness. I believe it is important to speak positive affirmations to people, inquire about their day, lend a helping hand, and see everyone as an equal. I believe that we cannot leave any room for discrimination in our school and with events such as A Week of Kindness we can break discrimination barriers that exist in todays society.
I had the pleasure of helping spearhead this year’s Week of Kindness. I believe it is important to speak positive affirmations to people, inquire about their day, lend a helping hand, and see everyone as an equal. I believe that we cannot leave any room for discrimination in our school and with events such as A Week of Kindness we can break discrimination barriers that exist in todays society.
Global Perspective – Understands the competitive nature of the new global economy and is clear about the knowledge and skills students will need to be successful in this economy
During my MSA we as aspiring leaders are challenged to reflect on all areas involving education.
We received the opportunity to travel to Washington DC to expand our knowledge around Educational
Policies at the American Education Institute. In this three day leadership training had five sessions which focused on
Educational Leadership: Why it is important?
Inside Policy: How policymakers think about their role
Making policy happen: How policymakers and practitioners interact
Analyzing educational policy: How to approach research and media
After the presentations we had the opportunity to interview and interact one on one with the policy makers. This conference motivated me to be proactive at viewing school policies at the state and district level and how those policies affect our students.
During my MSA we as aspiring leaders are challenged to reflect on all areas involving education.
We received the opportunity to travel to Washington DC to expand our knowledge around Educational
Policies at the American Education Institute. In this three day leadership training had five sessions which focused on
Educational Leadership: Why it is important?
Inside Policy: How policymakers think about their role
Making policy happen: How policymakers and practitioners interact
Analyzing educational policy: How to approach research and media
After the presentations we had the opportunity to interview and interact one on one with the policy makers. This conference motivated me to be proactive at viewing school policies at the state and district level and how those policies affect our students.
Judgment – Effectively reaching logical conclusions and making high quality decisions based on available information. Giving priority and caution to significant issues. Analyzing and interpreting complex information.
If a teacher calls me to their classroom to handle a discipline concern or when I receive a discipline referral, I must consider all options before making a decision. Each student is given due process and will be able to share his/her side of the situation in order to make the best decision for addressing the concern. With a heavy increase in classroom referrals, we as an administration team realized some staff members needed support in managing student behaviors and owning the problem. The administration team collaborated with the PBIS team to create a behavioral matrix of what teachers manage and what the office will manage when addressing problems in the classroom. With the implementation of the matrix, when administration contacts a student we understand what options have been exhausted. The matrix provides us with a useful framework to make decisions regarding consequences or the next steps.
If a teacher calls me to their classroom to handle a discipline concern or when I receive a discipline referral, I must consider all options before making a decision. Each student is given due process and will be able to share his/her side of the situation in order to make the best decision for addressing the concern. With a heavy increase in classroom referrals, we as an administration team realized some staff members needed support in managing student behaviors and owning the problem. The administration team collaborated with the PBIS team to create a behavioral matrix of what teachers manage and what the office will manage when addressing problems in the classroom. With the implementation of the matrix, when administration contacts a student we understand what options have been exhausted. The matrix provides us with a useful framework to make decisions regarding consequences or the next steps.
Organizational Ability – Effectively plans and schedules one’s own and the work of others so that resources are used appropriately, such as scheduling the flow of activities and establishing procedures to monitor projects.
During my residency, I was able to keep a daily log to track my activities. Managing time is very important when trying to run a school. There are so many moving parts to a school that you will not be able to address all areas daily. With daily logs and weekly reflections, I was able to see where I spent most of my time during the week and areas I need to spend more time in the following week.
During my residency, I was able to keep a daily log to track my activities. Managing time is very important when trying to run a school. There are so many moving parts to a school that you will not be able to address all areas daily. With daily logs and weekly reflections, I was able to see where I spent most of my time during the week and areas I need to spend more time in the following week.
Personal Ethics and Values – Consistently exhibits high standards in the areas of honesty, integrity, fairness, stewardship, trust, respect, and confidentiality
During my residency, I try my best to lead by example. It is important that the stakeholders you serve see you can model your expectations. I make sure to follow the daily expectations set by the administration team so that we may provide a consistent, united front.
During my residency, I try my best to lead by example. It is important that the stakeholders you serve see you can model your expectations. I make sure to follow the daily expectations set by the administration team so that we may provide a consistent, united front.
Personal Responsibility for Performance – Proactively and continuously improves performance by focusing on needed areas of improvement and enhancement of strengths; actively seeks and effectively applies feedback from others; takes full responsibility for one’s own achievements.
During my residency, I was able to keep a daily log that my activities. Managing one's time is very important when trying to run a school. There are so many moving parts to a school that you will not be able to address all areas daily. With daily logs and weekly reflections, I was able to see where I spent most of my time during the week and areas I need to improve upon in the following week.
During my residency, I was able to keep a daily log that my activities. Managing one's time is very important when trying to run a school. There are so many moving parts to a school that you will not be able to address all areas daily. With daily logs and weekly reflections, I was able to see where I spent most of my time during the week and areas I need to improve upon in the following week.
Responsiveness – Does not leave issues, inquiries or requirements for information go unattended. Creates a clearly delineated structure for responding to requests/situations in an expedient manner.
Throughout the year, the administration team notices increases in the discipline in the classroom and hallways. We also notice when tardies and bus discipline increase as well. At the beginning of the second semester, the administration team held a grade level meeting to address all the areas of concern to ensure school safety and that all students were receiving a high-quality education.
Throughout the year, the administration team notices increases in the discipline in the classroom and hallways. We also notice when tardies and bus discipline increase as well. At the beginning of the second semester, the administration team held a grade level meeting to address all the areas of concern to ensure school safety and that all students were receiving a high-quality education.
Results Orientation – Effectively assumes responsibility. Recognizes when a decision is required. Takes prompt action as issues emerge. Resolves short-term issues while balancing them against long-term goals.
I created a school improvement goal and action steps using the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goal format. I used my school data to concentrate on an area that needs improvement and wrote an improvement goal. In this plan, I list all of the action steps needed to achieve this goal. I address each of these components in my narrative. These steps include time frames and the rationale behind my school improvement goal.
I created a school improvement goal and action steps using the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goal format. I used my school data to concentrate on an area that needs improvement and wrote an improvement goal. In this plan, I list all of the action steps needed to achieve this goal. I address each of these components in my narrative. These steps include time frames and the rationale behind my school improvement goal.
Sensitivity – Effectively perceives the needs and concerns of others; deals tactfully with others in emotionally stressful situations or in conflict. Knows what information to communicate and to whom. Relates to people of varying ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
During the beginning of the year, I conducted a True Color assessment. After staff identified which of the four colors they represented we broke them into groups. Each group compiled a list of what they like and they don’t like and then shared with the group. This assessment helps staff identify and understand different personality types and the best was to interact with one another.
During the beginning of the year, I conducted a True Color assessment. After staff identified which of the four colors they represented we broke them into groups. Each group compiled a list of what they like and they don’t like and then shared with the group. This assessment helps staff identify and understand different personality types and the best was to interact with one another.
Technology – Effectively utilizes the latest technologies to continuously improve the management of the school and enhance student instruction
For the Black History Month program, I created a Black History Month Quiz Bowl using Kahoot. Kahoot is a great instructional tool to get students engaged in the lesson. It is important for me as an administrator to be knowledgeable of different tools teachers use to engage students. By creating this Quiz Bowl and demonstrating my competency with technology, hopefully, my teachers will feel comfortable with asking me for help when needed.
For the Black History Month program, I created a Black History Month Quiz Bowl using Kahoot. Kahoot is a great instructional tool to get students engaged in the lesson. It is important for me as an administrator to be knowledgeable of different tools teachers use to engage students. By creating this Quiz Bowl and demonstrating my competency with technology, hopefully, my teachers will feel comfortable with asking me for help when needed.
Time Management – Effectively uses available time to complete work tasks and activities that lead to the achievement of desired work or school results. Runs effective meetings.
I created a Mod schedule, short for "accommodation schedules" to ensure that students' IEPs were being met. Two teachers at a time will serve students during their planning period for one week to ensure accommodations are being met. After they serve for a week, those teachers will go on a rotation where they serve every three weeks.
I created a Mod schedule, short for "accommodation schedules" to ensure that students' IEPs were being met. Two teachers at a time will serve students during their planning period for one week to ensure accommodations are being met. After they serve for a week, those teachers will go on a rotation where they serve every three weeks.
Visionary – Encourages imagineering by creating an environment and structure to capture stakeholder dreams of what the school could become for all the students.
To gather more exposure about life, adversity, and post-secondary education opportunities I was able to book Author and motivational speaker Greg E. Hill who is known as a cultural change agent in the RDU area. Mr. Hill is a nationally recognized Entrepreneur, Student Success & Leadership and Corporate Speaker who engages audiences with his authentic style, energy & vulnerability. He is also the lead host of the Award Winning "Minority Trailblazer" podcast.