Feed back to the student

Elizabeth Hogan wrote on 01/08/2014

Another terrific reflection. Those of us born and raised in the midwest cannot even imagine what these families have experienced. Whenever we can provide these families with support, food, clothing, English lessons, we will be paid back many, many times. Exp. Record #: 13962 Date submitted: 01/07/2014 Elizabeth Hogan approved on 01/08/2014 Cohort: UEN 2012

Student Name: Schroeder, Jakob John (390375)

Field-Based Internship Reflection Form For Internship Experience Standard 1: Visionary Leadership; Standard 2: Instructional Leadership; Standard 3: Organizational Leadership; Standard 4: Collaborative Leadership; Standard 5: Ethical Leadership; Standard 6: Political Leadership Title: English Language Learner (ELL) Level Secondary Elementary Time Spent 3 hour(s) 3 hour(s) Note

Standard and Criteria 5.d Demonstrates appreciation for and sensitivity to diversity in the school community 5.d Demonstrates appreciation for and sensitivity to diversity in the school community

Briefly describe this field-based internship experience, including your specific role (1/2 page). I recently spent time talking with our two English Language Learner (ELL) teachers here at West High about the needs of our ELL students. Because of the type of work that is available here in Waterloo, specifically Tyson Foods, we attract many immigrant workers, some documented and some undocumented. These jobs allow people to at least start their work here in the United States where they might be trying to escape poverty, war, famine, natural disasters, or even a very corrupt government in their own country. We have seen waves of people from all over the world including Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Mexico, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, and most recently an influx of people from Burma. It is almost difficult to begin talking about how challenging this process can be on the children that are brought along on this completely life-changing move into a new country. Our schools bring in students of all ages who are now living an entirely different way of life from the one they left and the only thing resembling something familiar is maybe seeing a classmate who might have come from the same country as they did. As you can imagine many of these students did not have many personal belongings back home, let alone what they have available here. I recently learned from talking with our ELL teachers that one of the essential needs this year was winter coats. Our high school students need winter coats and so do their siblings in grade school, especially out new Burmese students who have never experienced winter weather (I can only imagine what some of these students are thinking about their first winter here in Iowa!). In order to help this need I did what I could to gather coats from my immediate family and was able to bring in several coats along with gloves, hats, and scarves. I know this wasn?t much, but one of the ELL teachers pulled me aside the other day to express how thankful the students were to have a warm coat to wear this winter. My goal for next year will be to get an earlier start on gathering coats to ensure more students and their siblings have one available. Reflect on what you have learned from this experience, from mentor discussions, and how you will use this learning in future administrative leadership roles (no more than 1/2 page). I?m sure meeting the criteria for this internship experience could be done in several ways because diversity is not just identifying the new immigrant families in town. We must also be sensitive to diversity in age, gender, race, opinion, or experience. I understand that as a principal we need to fairly recognize and support people from every background. But as a principal we must do everything possible to accommodate everyone in our school. It would be unfair to say these are the only families that need help in our schools as we have many students in poverty. But at least those in poverty who have lived here for several years are able to speak English and know some of the resources available in town. When a family comes from another country they often have no idea how to acquire even the basic necessities. This can be very challenging for our students of diverse backgrounds as sometimes they have to stay home to take care of siblings or even take on a job to help out the family instead of going to school. More often than not, school is last thing many of these students are worried about at this time. Diversity also comes with adversity and it is up to the principal to recognize these challenges and do everything possible to support students in need. This often begins by providing people in need with the basics, even if it seems as little as providing a winter coat ? to them this means a lot. These students are already challenged enough with trying to learn a new language and fit into the school

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community that they should not need to worry about finding basic necessities. The school needs to be a welcoming safe haven and cultural center where everyone can feel a connection and belonging. It is up to the principal, at any grade level, to build this inviting and welcoming community. I will take my understanding of these needs onto any role I find myself working. I might not always be in a large diverse city like Waterloo, but there will also be diversity that will require my attention and support. Mentor(s) Mike Landers The date approved by his/her lead mentor: 01/06/2014

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