Reflecting and Learning and Growth, Oh My!

This blog was begun as a means to record my journey through this Master's of Educational Leadership. Originally intended only as a medium for my Portfolio, it evolved as I became more comfortable with sharing my thoughts among a wider audience.

My CityU ID

Scrolling back to my initial posts, one can see how my understanding of blogging has changed. The format of my posts - initially there was no format! - has become easier to read and more focused. This was largely due to my husband, skilled at marketing, and much more aware of various social media formats. Technological growth can be seen in my dabbling with Twitter (I opened an account in January, 2017), and in my slow exploration of its possibilities. Other technological advances - personally speaking - included becoming comfortable sharing collaborative documents (both in Google and Office 365), functionally using OneNote, and learning to move (relatively) seamlessly between Google and Word formats.

While all of this technological learning has been beneficial in many ways, it is but the tip of the iceberg when I consider my learning and growth throughout the program. Each post of this blog has been a way to record my thoughts, opinions, and impressions as we moved through the various courses.

It was never a challenge to find something that resonated with me during each class, and I enjoyed using the blogging format to outline my thoughts and reflections on various topics. I'm thankful that I had the foresight to recognize that I would likely forget pertinent information as new classes were begun, and so kept this blog up to date. During each class I would make notes as to possible blog post ideas, and then would flesh out those ideas during the following week. My mind was generally jelly by the end of each Saturday's class, so this reflection afterward was an excellent way to both review the material and make connections to my worldview. Occasionally, as I became more confident in my posts, I would share the link for the blog on Twitter if I felt that the content would be interesting to a wider audience. Just the process of opening up my thoughts that way helped me to grow as a leader, and I plan to continue blogging once I become an administrator.

I'm thrilled to have this compilation of my thoughts as I progressed through this Master's program. Looking back reminds me how far I've come in my recognition of how I can work within my own strengths and "stretches" to be the kind of leader who inspires greatness in whichever school community I find myself. It is a tremendous challenge, but one that invigorates me and encourages me to always strive to be the best I can be. Onward!

Internships

The expectations of the first two internships were not difficult for me. As a learning support teacher, I was able to easily meet the needs of the LSS internship. Similarly, I had spent many years growing into the role of informal leader within the school, and I was fairly comfortable with becoming more purposeful in this through the second, school-based internship. However, from the moment I learned of its existence, the internship focusing on district-wide leadership had me worried. I realize that sounds silly, as I'm endeavoring to become an administrator; but there is something about branching out to the district level that made this introvert quail inside.

Well, a solution to that dilemma was found! I applied for and accepted the position of District Helping Teacher for Learning Support Services in Abbotsford, and have spent this school year engaged in exactly the kind of district-level leadership that once made me nervous. In fact, a good part of the reason I applied for the position in the first place is because I recognized this fear in myself, and wanted to eliminate it: I don't like being afraid of new things. Over the past months I have had the opportunity to work with, learn from, and problem-solve with teachers, administrators, education assistants, counselors, youth care workers, students, and parents from a wide array of schools. I have attended care team meetings, led many safety plan meetings, provided programming advice for challenging students, attended meaningful training sessions, and led a variety of professional development workshops for district staff, all with the goal of increasing student success. I believe I can safely say I have conquered my fear of district-level leadership, and I have been delighted with the process. Throughout, I have kept focus on the leadership standards, and have seen my own growth in every area.

A snapshot of my last proposal

A log of hours from the last internship

Leadership Practices Inventory

Leadership Practices Inventory - Pre-Master's Summary



Leadership Practices Inventory - Post-Master's Summary


 My observations:

• growth in almost all areas
• my scores are often higher than those of the others who filled out the forms
• I believe this is because I know what I intend to do, and therefore rate my intentions higher than what comes out in my actions
• this is good to know going forward!

Last Class

When I first began this journey two years ago, I remember chatting with a friend who had recently completed the program. During our conversation, I asked how it felt to be done. "Well, I sure love having my Saturdays back," she laughed. But after a pause she added, "but I also really miss those Saturdays." Staring at my own two years' worth of Saturdays, I was a bit skeptical. But now, having had our last class, I can completely understand what she meant.

Our cohort of ten was, I think, something special. From the first we have clicked, and I can not imagine having gone through this journey without them. Every course provided us a new opportunity to see each other in a different light, and we frequently laughed and cried together. Each of my nine cohort members opened my eyes to something they were passionate about: creative education, technology, careers programs, sports of all kinds, music, inclusive classrooms, and the true joy to be found in loving and connecting.

I am truly a better educator, a better leader, and a better person for having had the privilege of knowing these wonderful people. Already I know that when someone asks, I, too will say, "I miss those Saturdays!"