Learning Topic 7: Field Experience Summary Betty Hustead 4/22/12 I interviewed 6 different people with very different jobs

to get a well-rounded viewpoint of the key elements of leadership. My project was to create a new teacher training proposal for next year so I created questions that related to that and interviewed a new teacher and a student teacher. I also interviewed the principal, the building engineer, the instructional coach, and the deputy on duty. The principal had some interesting comments regarding new teachers, collaboration and empowerment relating to climate and culture, how to be an exceptional leader and factors regarding continual improvement. (See chart below)
Question
What is the biggest concern for new teachers to the building that you would like to see change or be anticipated to avoid problems? (Con) What would you like to see in a new teacher training/induction? (L) How do collaboration and empowerment relate to climate and culture? (L) Students will not learn effectively from teachers if those students do not believe the teacher cares about them first. Leaders provide intentional and deliberate time for teachers to engage in structured conversations, both academic and environmental. Once you empower voices with purpose and autonomy under a well-defined mission statement, you find consistency in practice so the school culture becomes one. Sometimes this requires individuals to make choices to leave our environment and allows us the opportunity to hire staff into our belief systems. What were the critical factors supporting the change and resisting the change? (CI) Our staff collaborates and converses with meaning to action planning and implementation. Time is always an issue and becomes the resistance. Value of caring very clear!

Answer points
New teachers need to understand how to use data to inform and guide instruction, interventions and assessments to increase growth.

Comments/Ideas
I would agree with this. Can departments help with this as well as coach or trainer? Know it? Understand it? Know what they dont know?

What suggestions do you have for me regarding being an exceptional leader? (L) How did you minimize the negative nature of change? (CI)

Time, always a factor, but is very useful when you plan the little you have well.

So very true. We always know the reason behind what we are asked to do and where the change will take us in the improvement of the students. One bad apple Before this happens, hopefully they will leave or be asked to leave. If there is a understood purpose, staff will follow suit much better. There is never enough time, so resistance is futile. Always have a plan with a goal and a timeline. Well said!! Intentional, Deliberate, Reflective are key words.

What does Continual Improvement mean to you? (CI) What suggestions do you have to make the first year of a new teacher easier so they can teach and not stress about everything that is involved with the job? (L)

Prioritize items to accomplish in the immediate, next month, next semester, next year, and multiple years. BALANCE work, family, health. You should never be afraid to ask questions. You are not expected to be a master teacher your first year, but we do expect that you are intentional, deliberate, and reflective of your professional craft as an educator.

After reflecting on what the principal said, I believe his key value is caring, his leadership element is following the mission with a plan and proper communication of that plan. For new teachers,

they need to be intentional, deliberate, and reflective as they learn how to write goals, assess students, use the data, and communicate with staff. So from this interview, the new teacher training needs to incorporate more data practice. The next interview was from the building engineer. She was new to the school this year and had a lot to learn herself as well as teach her staff. I really liked some of the input I received from her, partially because she was new, she was able to have new ideas. (See chart below)
Question
What is the biggest concern for new teachers to the building that you would like to see change or be anticipated to avoid problems? (Con) What would you like to see in a new teacher training/induction? (L)

Answer points
Introductions of the custodial staff to the teaching staff, so they know who to talk to when they have concerns. Give the teacher advice on their new room (blinds stay shut until 11:00, less heat in room) She would like the teachers to understand their jack of all trade roles, to ask for what they need, but not to be taken advantage of since they are quite helpful. They are the same, because if you are not effective, you will not be successful.

Comments/Ideas
Great idea! This should be done every year.

Great idea again. They should be included in the introduction portion of a new teacher training. Effective communication, teaching, and caring all play into a successful school, so I believe they go hand in hand. What a nice feeling to be left to do your job!

What do you consider a successful school? Is that the same as an effective school? (CC) What are your thoughts on collaboration and empowerment? (CC)

Collaboration means working together for a common goal, empowerment is being allowed and trusted to do your job effectively by your supervisor. Lead by example and trust your team.

What suggestions do you have regarding being an exceptional leader? (L) What was the impact of change on the building? How did you expand the positive nature and minimize the negative nature of the change? (CI)

Great philosophy. Teach by doing.

Cleanliness affects climate. If classrooms are clean, kids are not home sick, and being here means learning. Positive dont ask them to do something you wouldnt do. Negative Dont feed the negative talk, always find positive in every situation.

Students definitely cannot learn if they are not here.

What a great attitude she has! More people should be this way.

What ere the critical factors resisting the change? (CI)

Humans have a hard time changing habits, but with constant leadership and positive interactions things can change.

Between the attitude comments above and these, I can see why the custodial crew is much happier this year than in the past.

After this interview, I have even more respect for the building engineer than I did before. That says a lot, because I thought she was great. Any time there is a problem, question, or task needed done, she is right there to complete it. Her key elements are definitely positive attitude, communication skills, and time management. The instructional coach had a tremendous amount to say. It will be hard to get everything down on paper. I was most impressed with her suggestions to make new teachers lives easier and how she said she tries to interpret and possibly intercept the issues being sent down from district. (See chart below)

Question
What do you think is the most important

Answer points
Observing teachers who have asked that I help with

Comments/Ideas
I am not surprised this is her most important

thing you do in a day? (DL)

instruction helping supply ways to improve improves the school

part, or that it is her favorite part, but I was surprised she doesnt have scheduled observations. I definitely agree with this. If the new teacher doesnt feel welcomed, cared for, and part of the team, they will be leaving real soon. I like the connection piece. She values the connectivity of staff for new and old.

What is the biggest concern for new teachers that you would like to see changed? (Con) What would you like to see in the new teacher training? (L)

I would like new teachers to feel supported and have an opportunity to feel welcome to contribute to our schools culture. For brand new teachers, she does multiple observations and training around the observation. For seasoned, yet new to DRHS teachers, she spends time connecting with them and helping them find out what resources are available to them.

What do you consider a successful school? (CC) What are your thoughts on collaboration and empowerment? (CC)

Teachers are collegial and are able to have time to plan together and discuss ideas for improving instruction and content within an open environment. Empowerment is a united front of teachers who have collaborated and have a holistic view of expectation, instruction, and curriculum leading to a well informed group. To improve instruction through collaboration, learning, and assessments.

Once again, time comes into play with this one. As long as the time is managed well, the collaboration can be fantastic. When cross-curricular collaboration is part of the overall picture, you will get a united front.

How would you describe the culture and climate of DRHS? (CC) What suggestions do you have regarding being an exceptional leader? (L)

Collaboration works wonders.

Making sense of the big picture, while focusing the ideas and thoughts into the big picture. An open mind is needed to allow people to do their thing, at their level, as long as it is best for the students. We are a district of change. Figuring out a way to bring the latest change to the staff with purpose or intercepting it and handling it on her own is the biggest part of her job right now. Positive patience! Being instructive when needed and using less is more when appropriate Negative She waters her flowers and ignores her rocks since she will get the most return from those willing to work. Knowing who the resistant people are is important so you can check in on them more frequently. If a change does not work, there is no harm in going back to the old way.

She is talking about the plan on how to get to the overall goal of having more growth in student learning.

How do you expand the positive nature and minimize the negative nature of change?

The constant changes are hard to deal with as teachers. We already feel like we have way to much work to do. I appreciate the coach sifting through the additional changes for us. Communication and collaboration is once again a big piece to this.

Strive to work with the movers, but dont ever forget the couch potatoes. I wish more people would evaluate more often to see if the method is working.

What does continual improvement mean to you? (CI) What suggestions do you have to make the first year teacher easier? (L)

Just because we have good growth, does not mean it is okay to rest on our laurels. PRIORITIZE - First learn how to deal with parent and administration communication. Second instruction dont worry about the perfect lesson, fix one thing at a time. Third Dont be afraid to ask questions! Fourth Be sure to create time to reflect on how things are working.

There is always room to grow.

What good advice. The communication piece is huge for new teachers. Many of them are afraid to talk to parents or admin. Once they have done it a few times, they get confidence. If the trainer or coach helps guide them through this, it should be easier. Next, they usually beat themselves up if their lesson is not perfect. They need to understand practice makes perfect. Needless to say, communication and reflection cannot

be skipped!

The instructional coach is extremely organized, very good at communication, and wants nothing more than to see every teacher in the school performing to an elite status. Unfortunately, she realizes, this will never happen. She does her best to get as close to this as possible. Her keys are communication, collaboration, caring, and continual learning. The next interview I did was with the sherrifs deputy that works at our school. I thought she would have a unique perspective. She discussed more on culture and climate than the other people. (See chart below)

Question
What would you like to see in a new teacher training? (L)

Answer points
More safety training so they understand why it is important. The fact that violence in schools is happening more and more and we need to be prepared, mentally and physically.

Comments/Ideas
I agree. I had to deal with Columbine, so I understand. During these trainings, I would like to see someone involved with that incident speak in person about it to the new staff. They may be too young to have experienced it. I believe a successful school also feels pride and like family to the staff, students, and the community. (Feeling of Care)

What do you consider a successful school? Is that the same as an effective school? (CC)

Success is measured with effectiveness in learning and something less tangible, like pride or a feeling of family-like comfort. Success measures consequences, maturity, hard work, compassion for others, Encouraging and empowering people. Never afraid to admit their own failure. They ask for help when needed.

What suggestions do you have regarding being an exceptional leader? (L)

The encouraging piece and willingness to admit failure go far in connecting with a staff. They feel you acknowledge them, understand, and make mistakes too. Once again, evaluate and reflect in order to move on and improve.

What does continual improvement mean to you? (CI)

Changes dont always work, dont be afraid to go back to the way things were before.

Safety was obviously the most important factor for the deputy. I agree this should be included in the new teacher trainings much more than it is. I also believe it should be reviewed with the current staff more as well. As far as being a leader, she believes in evaluation and reflection to determine if the best method is being used. My favorite part of her interview was the feeling of family for climate and culture. This is true for me at this school, and I know there are others that feel this way as well. The last two interviews were from new teachers. I wanted to find out what their thoughts were regarding the training they wish they had and how they felt things were going. There were some good ideas mentioned that I have implemented into my new teacher training proposal. (See chart below)

Question
As a new teacher, what would you liked to have known?

Answer points
A That students complain all the time, about everything, and there is nothing I can do about it.

Comments/Ideas
Both of the teachers mentioned very good points. Obviously the record keeping should

Resist the urge to grade everything and every error. Use rubrics, and how to create them. B How to keep records, infinite campus, admin. Conferencing, IEPs, and parent interactions. What would you like to see done next year? What would you like to see in a new teacher training? More checking in by trainer, coach, and/or department manager to see how we are doing. A + B - Having a successful veteran teacher to be a mentor in building would be very helpful, even for an experienced teacher that is new to the building. B - More sharing of resources, syllabi, creating class norms to avoid management problems and keep consistency within the department. What do you consider a successful school? A A school and community in which a vision and leadership are established and consistently supported. They have strong family, school, and community partnerships to help students succeed in school and life. Quality professional development allows the learning community to realize its vision and reach its goals. B - Challenges students to think critically and prepares them for life beyond HS. Consistent expectations and enforcement of those school-wide. A successful school creates a culture where students are expected to learn and where honesty, integrity, responsibility, and hard work are the cornerstones of learning.

be addressed in training and then departments can tweak it for their specifics. Letting new teachers know it is okay to check grade some items and be ready for fussing would de-stress them quite a bit. This would allow more evaluation on what they dont know they dont know. Mentors are valuable if used correctly. Interesting point on the new, yet experienced teacher getting a mentor too. Sharing resources and keeping consistent is huge for a new teacher and the learning environment for the students. Once again, the family feel and partnership is very important, it shows care. Learning communities that collaborate will lead to success.

Preparing students for life is what we are all about! This includes values, not just information.

For new teachers, I believe they have a good grasp on what is needed and expected to become successful in their future. The information they provided was valuable in my proposal for a new teacher training program. After interviewing all of these people, the ability to communicate, care about each other, collaborate, continue to improve the processes and environment for learning, are all key points in making this a successful student learning experience, a professional situation to work in, and a beneficial part of the community.

ADDENDUM

New Teacher Interview questions

EDLS670

1. As a new teacher, what would you like to have known before you started? 2. What would you like to have changed? 3. What would you like to see done for next year? 4. What would you like to see in a new teacher training? 5. What do you consider a successful school?

Administrator Questions (Included all Managers in Administration)

EDLS670

1. What do you think is the most important thing you do on a daily basis? (DL) 2. How much do you have to deal with conflict each day? (students, parents, teachers, staff) (Con) 3. What is the biggest concern for new teachers to the building that you would like to see change or be anticipated to avoid problems? (Con) 4. What would you like to see in a new teacher training/induction? (L) 5. What do you consider a successful school? Is that the same as an effective school? Why or why not? (CC) 6. What are your thoughts on collaboration and empowerment? (CC) 7. How do collaboration and empowerment relate to climate and culture? (L) 8. How would you describe the culture and climate of Dakota Ridge? (CC) 9. What suggestions do you have for me regarding being an exceptional leader? (L) 10. What kind of changes has the building experienced recently? What was your role in those changes? (CI) 11. What was the impact of the change on the building? (CI) 12. How did you, the leader, expand the positive nature of the change and minimize the negative nature of the change? (CI) a. positive change b. negative change 13. What were the critical factors supporting the change and resisting the change? (CI) a. supporting b. resisting

14. What does Continual Improvement mean to you? (CI) 15. What suggestions do you have to make the first year of a new teacher easier so they can teach and not stress about everything that is involved with the job? (L)