Professional Growth Plan

Administrative Leadership Professional Growth Plan November 16, 2010

Martha Carol Mizelle College of Education North Carolina State University Northeast Leadership Academy Fellow

Professional Growth Plan

Professional Growth Plan

I, Carol Mizelle, believe that being an educator allows me many exciting adventures. I think I have always known that I wanted to become an educator; however, I earlier in my life, I first decided to pursue a career in business. I worked as an office manager for an insurance agency, and I thought that a business career would satisfy my life-long career goals. Furthermore, I discovered after several years in the business world that I did not feel satisfied nor fulfilled with the career that I had chosen. I discovered I had a choice, should I continue working in a career that I was very efficient in yet gave me no personal satisfaction, or could I pursue my life-long career dream of becoming a teacher. I felt a great accomplishment for me personally was when I changed my career, and became a professional educator. Fulfilling this accomplishment successfully in my own life helped me to realize self worth, and the ability to celebrate others accomplishments. I know that I have made contributions to my school, county, and community before and since I have became an educator. I have always been actively involved in church and community activities, and I feel that this avenue of involvement prepared me to outreach into my school environment more efficiently. I am constantly available to my colleagues and students for mentoring. Another success for me is that my students know that I genuinely care for them and their education, and through this feeling I project to them and their family the ability to achieve great success in their personal life. I feel that education is all about reaching others and touching their lives to help them feel success in whatever they wish to accomplish.

I went into the teaching profession with an open mind about people in which I would have contact with in my daily environment. I knew that I could make a difference in the lives of children in Eastern North Carolina. Daily, I find myself understanding more about the important outreach that educators are given. Educators have the ability to help so many others reach for and succeed the highest level of success. I feel I have continued to help many students reach their full potential whether in a developmentally appropriate kindergarten environment, or in an exciting rigorous middle school environment. I am constantly provide nurturing, heartwarming, and exciting classroom experiences for my students. I provide many extra activities and experiences that are knowledge-work based to allow my students a chance to be exposed too many aspects of daily life-long learning. While at this present time, I serve as a leader of the School Improvement Team as well as the 7th grade department. I know that stepping into the leader role has not always been an easy pathway, but I feel that with each position I immerse myself to become a better leader. Being a part of various teams and committees has given me insight into developing a better school for students, parents, and the community. I am constantly seeking ways to enhance students learning so that a better community will exist, and thrive in the global society in which we live. Being allowed to continue my life-long learning skills in the field of administration is a great honor and privilege. I also think it has opened additional avenues for me to be a positive spokesperson for education. Also I feel becoming a representative for our profession holds a responsibility. I feel that the profession of education is not a singular career because this career offers you the opportunity to

collaborate and affiliate with many fellow colleagues, as well as the community. I believe if each educator harvests his/her talents and gifts and uses it for education, we could produce a learning environment that is successful for the present and the future. True educators are called people, and they know that education is a way of life. I believe educators are always looking for the time to be useful to others. As I grow in my knowledge and profession, I will be able to adopt various methods to meet childrens needs to carry them forward into a global community. Children must know that they are in a nurturing and learning environment in order to be fulfilled, and educators can create this environment better than anyone. As an administrator I will communicate to the education profession the importance of finding talent and using it for the benefit of public education. I believe being chosen to be a part of the Northeast Leadership Academy at North Carolina State University, has given me a chance to become a highly qualified administrator. Being an educator is a great honor and privilege to touch young lives and let them know that their educational experience is a lifelong process that is interesting, exciting, and involving. I feel I have the ability and knowledge to portray a competent and highly qualified educator in our school, county, and state.

Self-Assessment of Professional Standards

Standard 1: Strategic Leadership

A school leader that portrays the concept of strategic leadership understands the schools vision, mission, and beliefs; therefore strives toward setting goals to accomplish the fulfillment of the set goals. The understanding of the schools community allows for successful leadership. My strengths in strategic leadership would include being a part of the school improvement team. I currently serve as the chairperson of the Bertie Middle School Improvement Team. I understand the schools vision, mission and beliefs; furthermore, I am constantly seeking ways to focus on the schools goals according to our improvement plan. I realize that my students success is reflected in the outcome of the goals. I feel that I can improve in leadership concept as a leader because my vision at this time tends to focus on students in my classroom. Incorporating a larger vision must focus on the school, and have evidence toward the goals. I must realize to be a true visionary I will have to completely see the whole educational picture. Yet, I sometimes lack the focus of the schools vision as a complete educational goal. Standard 2: Instructional Leadership A leader must be able to make assessments based on accountability. The school executive must be knowledgeable of best practices, and they must be able to identify higher quality work. As a principal, I feel a leader must understand the various components of the curriculum at all grade levels to implement the best strategies for the students. By studying and following educational reforms efforts, a leader realizes that accountability has to be effective. As a teacher, I am knowledgeable of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study as it relates to my curriculum. I feel strong in understanding all Science Strands, and

where the standards fit into students learning in order to be a successful learner. I have spent eighteen years studying and relating the curriculum practices to whatever grade level I teach. Becoming a part of the NELA has allowed me immersed in current educational platforms. My weakness would include understanding protocols and processes in school organization and the day-to-day operations being carried out to ensure a successful educational community. I fully understand the function of an effective schedule; however, I have never developed a full school schedule. I feel that my limitations include how to create a culture in which all staff feels responsible to ensure students success. As a leader, I want staff to willing to be part of the process to complete achievement results. Standard 3: Cultural Leadership Through a shared vision a leader can acknowledge failures and celebrate accomplishments for her staff. However, a visionary leader must be realistic to prove that all celebrated accomplishments are a way to acknowledge success of the whole school community. Understanding the impact of the environmental awareness will allow a leader to fulfill the needs of many stakeholders. Acknowledgement of failures is part of the process for the educational environment to take stock in what works and what is just a passing thought. I have been allowed to serve on the PBIS team to enhance the accomplishments of the whole school environment. I feel because of my sensitivity toward others I have inward kindness to celebrate the accomplishments of others. I see the success of many as making an impact to enhance the whole school community. My personal ethics and

values portray a person willing to take a stand for a realistic cause. Furthermore, I also keep a data information to track the progress of my students as well as the progress of achievement for the school. I try not only to focus on the results, but also to understand how concept was derived. My limitations include that I do not feel comfortable on articulating the complete vision and mission of the school when there is rejection or rebuttal from staff. Understanding conflict resolutions will help me to achieve this goal. I feel that failures should be noted; however, I feel that I also will gain more knowledge on this level for the concept. I plan to continue to work on the PBIS team to incorporate strategies that effective many. I plan to establish better criteria for reward of teachers at my school. I have already tried to begin this in a small way, by taking the time to write short, positive statements as I observed an active teacher being a part of a successful school environment. A positive school community enables students to achieve with great success. A school that is willing to change can be enhanced constantly and concisely. Standard 4: Human Resource Leadership

Being a part of Professional Learning Communities, allow a leader to be a part of a complete concept for the school environment. A leader strong in human resource skills would be an active participant in day-to-day decisions, but would not interfere with role of the staff. In other words, I think that a leader needs to assess and analysis, but most important the leader should delegate and support decisions that are going enrich success for a school community.

NELA has allowed me to be an active part of a Professional Learning Community that encourages me to strive toward excellence. Through the NELA, we have become a community that has similar thoughts, visions, and beliefs for a better educational system. My experience as a veteran teacher allows me the pleasure of knowing many people. I have always tried to have effective communication with many other educators. Educators are always seeking ways to communicate the best possible school environment My limitations would include understanding theories and laws associated with recruitment and hiring of staff. Even though I have been on an interview team for hiring new teachers, I know that I should use a variety of tools and approaches to evaluate staff, but I am not confident in exactly which tools will apply to the exact situation. I feel that I need to know more about legal requirements to understand evaluation procedures. With further leadership practice and coaching procedures, I will become a successful principal to recruit a well-rounded staff. I will read and research more on requirements for

the evaluation procedures for all staff. I will comprehend all staff roles and their importance in the overall outcome of a successful school community. I will strive to focus on effective feedback and assessments that work. Standard 5: Managerial Leadership

A leader in a managerial situation must understand the routines of the building, including budgeting, staffing, problem solving, and scheduling. Managing effectively will create success in everyday life of the school environment. A leader must be not only concerned with the results, but the process and relationships.

I am aware of the how to problem-solve with conflicts, and I feel that I do that a lot being a grade level chairperson, school improvement chairperson, and mentor for a student and a first year teacher. I actually feel that I spend a huge part of my day solving conflicts so that others can achieve more. Working through the practices of understanding everyday routines will allow me to achieve more. My current limitations would include an understanding of budgeting procedures. At this time I do not feel comfortable in the knowledge of processes. I know that schools receive funds from various sources. However, understanding the law and procedures for everyday operations will allow me to feel much more confidant. Standard 6: External Development Leadership

Building up a community of learners derived from a successful school has been developed due the leaders attention to detail. In order for a school to become a part of a community, ownership and support must be evident in all stakeholders. Understanding and recognizing the effect of the school is an important role for the leader. Allowing all whom show ownership to engage in systems thinking promotes a positive result for all stakeholders. Effective communication begins with everyone, but must initially begin with an effective leader. Through my many teaching years, I have had an opportunity to be an advocate for children, their parents, our school, and the community. I have had the privilege to serve in a small community setting and a large community setting. Whatever the community size, the main thrust should surround the school environment. I feel that I have a good rapport with the people I meet. I believe in having consistence and fair communication

with all involved. I strive to have an open communication with my students and their parents. My limitations would include articulating the thoughts and words that need to be said to create an environment that is enriched with the highest level of success available. I feel that I will be an active participant in some the best practices by being a NELA Fellow. I also believe that my communication level can always be improved by becoming aware of ways to speak more effectively. Leadership skills are ever changing to keep up with a global world that is ever-changing.

Standard 7: Micro-political Leadership

Leaders of the 21st century must have focus on complete success including process, relationships, and results (Facilitator Leadership, 1997). A micro-political leader will develop a system that results in effective decision-making processes. A school leader must be aware of the influence and expertise that is available on staff. Harvesting all the best qualities from a willing staff creates the best organization possible. Furthermore, an energize staff that take responsibility for whole child will see results. An effective leader realizes the need to involve others, so she then delegates the given opportunities to allow others to be a part of the decision making process. My limitations include delegation of parts to others. I often feel that others cannot achieve the required results, so in my hesitation of delegation I then become bogged down with too many agendas and then I feel overwhelmed because of the situation. I must learn to rely on others more, and believe others can achieve.

Conclusion Accomplishing tasks that are set before me at this moment seems a huge and confusing task. I feel that school executives affect so much of the educational community. Grasping and beginning reflection on the North Carolina Standards for School Executives has allowed me to see there are many challenges before me to reach levels of accomplished or distinguished. With each level of self-assessment, I intend to fulfill a higher level of success by continuing to work with the NELA cohort. Through the NELA program I know I will achieve a greater degree of belief in me as a leader. I need to become aware of reflective practices to allow me to assess myself as a leader and the strengths and weaknesses I may have. Through writing this professional growth plan I come to the realization that my aspirations are real, and I can become a better leader. I feel that I have many avenues to continue to seek information that can help me grow as a leader. Through the years of my teaching career, I have survived various educational reforms to seek out what actually allows me to be a better leader to take students into the 21st century. As I continue to seek a higher level of success for my leadership abilities, I will continue to look for ways of self-improvement.