Personal Reflection Introduction and Description of Location My time in the Ed. Specialist Program has been very rewarding.

The many assignments I was asked to complete and the duties I was asked to fulfill while on the job helped me to make decisions while on the job and in practical ways. My first half of the program I was working at Linden Charter Academy under Principal Corinne Weaver. Linden Charter Academy is located in Flint, MI and has a free and reduced lunch rate of 95%. After two years in this new position Corinne Weaver stepped down and took her previous position as a Dean. In my second year of the Ed. Specialist Program I was hired as an Administrator and worked with Principal Kathy Williams at North Saginaw Charter Academy. At this academy the free and reduced lunch rate is 85%. Kathy Williams was brought on board the prior year after her long success at another National Heritage Academy school. North Saginaw has struggled the last five years in both enrollment and test scores. Both Principals were open with me and gave me meaningful opportunities and feedback to help me grow as a Leader and Administrator. Course Reflection My Professors at Oakland University challenged me by providing me with meaningful assignments that led to a better understanding of school leadership and helped me to apply it to the real world. Some of the areas that I learned a great deal about that I was not as well rehearsed in was Finance and Budgeting as well as Ethical Framing, Educational Law and Human Resources. In these classes I was challenged to interview people who are hired as specialist in these areas. Through interviews, case studies, and solid planning I was able to get a better understanding of what I should know as an Administrator, who to turn to when I need help in

these areas and get an overall clearer understanding so that I can articulate how things work, a clear vision or opinion and a better network of professionals that can help me when I have additional questions. Research Reflection I worked with a great team to research the benefits of Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS) at Grand Blanc West Middle School. Together we bonded over an arching concern on how to help students make good decisions regarding behavior positive outcomes. Feeling the pressure of rigorous instruction and trying to help all students to achieve we worked to uncover what do students and teacher perceive to be working in PBIS programs. Together my partners and I developed research tools and uncovered challenges in our research. Overall my feeling is that we accomplished what we set out to do and we ultimately recognize how research can benefit a school or an individual classroom. I strongly believe in the importance of Jobembedded professional development. Internship Reflection My experiences at both schools have really helped me to develop my leadership skills. While I was at Linden Charter Academy I was the Principal/Director of their summer programs. Although I had performed in this position before I viewed my Linden position under very different frames. I started a new summer program at Linden called, Camp Phoenix. I have worked for YMCA Camp Phoenix for eleven years prior to this, however being the person to bring it to Linden and to ensure the programs success brought my commitment to a new level as a leader. I was in charge of making sure that the vision that Linden had for summer learning was successfully implemented and enhanced the vision that the YMCA had. It was a very

successful school year we gathered surveys and tests results that showed a wide range of success. This year will be our second year of implementing the Camp Phoenix program. This year under Kathy Williams at North Saginaw Charter Academy I was able to really develop my skills as a school Principal. We went through a grueling charter renewal process and as a new Administrator I had to learn on the job very quickly. At points within the school year I had ten teachers that reported directly to me. I was charged with growing the teachers in several areas: rigorous planning and instruction, classroom engagement, student feedback and growth mindset, management and contributing to our team as a whole. Etc. My hallway had the most success overall in student growth and parent surveys. I observed teachers weekly and had weekly one-on-one meetings. This year I struggled building a relationship and communicating with one teacher and it was the talks that occurred in classes such as Law and Human Resources that both helped me to prioritize and stretch my thinking. I developed two coaching plans this year with the help of Mrs. Williams and the Human Resource department for National Heritage Academies (NHA). ISLLC Reflection By applying the ISLLC standards when thinking and developing my administrative skills I have become more aware of their importance. The ISLLC standards have forced me to think more broadly around key points and issues. Not only am I aware of the ISLLC standards I have, also created meaningful activities that demonstrate my thought and practice of their use.

Conclusion My experiences going through the Ed. Specialists program have been positive and beneficial to my growth as a leader in education. My focus on the ISLLC standards have helped me to align my values and form opinions of what is important and possible as a leader in schools. The Professors at Oakland University and my Cohort group have become a part of my network of professionals that I know I can call upon for honest conversations and encouragement. I am looking forward to becoming a building principal and feel that I am prepared.