Running head: COMPETENCY REFLECTIONS 1

Competency Reflections
Competency 001: The principal knows how to shape campus culture by facilitating the
development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is
shared and supported by the school community.

During my internship I was able to work on shaping the campus culture by participating in two
campus improvement committees that directly impact the culture and climate of the school,
School Climate and PBIS. Through the School Climate Committee, as its Chair, we held monthly
potlucks and activities to maintain staff morale. In addition, it was feedback from staff members
that led to the Two Minute Huddle, one of my action projects to improve staff morale. Through
the PBIS Committee, I increased the amount of student recognition that occurs on campus.
Beginning in Fall 2016, the campus began having quarterly student recognition ceremonies for
both grades and behavior to reward students with incentives for their progress and improvement.

Competency 002: The principal knows how to communicate and collaborate with all
members of the school community, respond to diverse interests and needs, and mobilize
resources to promote student success.

During my internship I was able to communicate with the staff through leadership roles on my
campus. I had the opportunity to be the Administrator on Duty for several days, attend field trips
in the capacity as Administrator, and shadow assistant principals on campus. I served as District
Facilitator New Teacher Induction Academy. I was able to share this knowledge during the
professional development sessions in the summer.

Competency 003: The principal knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical
and legal manner.
During the Internship II, I was given multiple opportunities to substitute in the assistant
principals office. These days of hands-on practice provided me with multiple situations in which
I had to act with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner towards students, staff members and
at times parents.
Competency 004: The principal knows how to facilitate the design and implementation of
curricula and strategic plans that enhance teaching and learning; ensure alignment of
curriculum, instruction, resources, and assessment; and promote the use of varied
assessments to measure student performance.

I was given the opportunity to create the instructional framework for 5th grade students that were
unsuccessful on the first administration of STAAR. This framework was shared with the
Language Arts Department, Special Education Department, and the Intermediate Program
Directors for use in providing remedial instruction for these students.
Running head: COMPETENCY REFLECTIONS 2

Competency 005: The principal knows how to advocate, nurture, and sustain an
instructional program and a campus culture that are conducive to student learning and
staff professional growth.

During my internship, as part of my action research project, I initiated the Accelerated Language
Instruction (ALI) Program on campus for English Language Learners to improve their language
proficiency. The ALI Program provided me an opportunity to learn about special populations and
programs in addition to LEP that I had to consult in designing a program for this campus.

Competency 006: The principal knows how to implement a staff evaluation and
development system to improve the performance of all staff members, select and implement
appropriate models for supervision and staff development, and apply the legal
requirements for personnel management.

During my internship process, I was able to implement staff evaluation during my administrator
for a day practices. I participated in walk-throughs. I also served as a Mentor Teacher and
frequently completed observations and provided feedback to new teachers.

Competency 007: The principal knows how to apply organizational, decision-making, and
problem-solving skills to ensure an effective learning environment.

Administrator on Duty and in shadowing assistant principals, I was provided opportunities to

make on the spot decisions. One of the most challenging days I had involved a student
threatening a teacher and the teacher using an expletive in front of the students in response.
Handling this situation involved several competencies, but it was the problem-solving that stood
out for me because everything had to be handled quickly.

Competency 008: The principal knows how to apply principles of effective leadership and
management in relation to campus budgeting, personnel, resource utilization, financial
management, and technology use.

As part of the ALI Program, I had to create a budget, get approved by the District, and spend the
funds in accordance with district policy. I had to maintain time sheets and ensure that employees
are paid timely and that all supplies are ordered according to prescribed guidelines.

Competency 009: The principal knows how to apply principles of leadership and
management to the campus physical plant and support systems to ensure a safe and
effective learning environment.
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I was part of the Crisis Response Team and actually was called upon on more than occasion to
act a member of the team with issues that arose on campus. In addition to this, I performed Car
Ride Duty and Lunch Duty on a regular basis.

The two competencies that I feel strongest are 004 and 005. Competency 004 utilized my
knowledge as a teacher leader to function as an instructional leader and develop a program to
increase student achievement for my campus. This responsibility seemed natural to me.
Similarly, initiating and sustaining the ALI Program as a reflection of Competency 005 has
allowed me to continue to grow and demonstrate my strength in this area.
The two competencies that are areas for growth are competency 007 and 006. With both
competencies I would benefit from more opportunities in varied contexts to improve my
knowledge and skill. While serving as a mentor teacher and providing professional development
are helpful, I could grow in these areas.

My experience during both semesters of my internship course was invaluable. I learned so much
in observing my mentor and the other administrators on campus. I also value the opportunities
they provided me to shadow them and be Administrator of the Day so that I could a clear picture
and understanding of what typical days are like for them.