North Carolina Standards for School Executives
21 Competencies
Competencies |
Artifact |
Communication – Effectively listens to others; clearly and effectively presents and understands information orally and in writing; acquires, organizes, analyzes, interprets, maintains information needed to achieve school or team 21st century objectives. |
Improving communication at Speight has been a goal of mine this year. To keep everyone on the same page, I send out a daily newsletter, keep the School's Google Calendar updated and use google docs to make documents that allow everyone to collaborative. I use google classroom to communicate with teachers and students. I created and monitor the "Cougar Conversations" suggestion box and send out surveys so that teachers feel their voices are heard. I communicate with parents through social media and blackboard connect emails/phone call. Click the link to view the December Cougar Copy, a monthly newsletter celebrating student success. www.smore.com/z4vha |
Change Management – Effectively engages staff and community in the change process in a manner that ensures their support of the change and its successful implementation. |
At the beginning of the school year, I realized Chronic Absenteeism was a concern at Speight. I sought out to bring this concern to light to ensure it received attention. I started an Attendance Committee who meets monthly to track student attendance and implement strategies to encourage students to attend school. This renewed focus on attendance has lowered the number of days our chronically absent students have missed. Getting the teachers involved as well as the counselor, social worker, data manager, and administration has resulted in lasting change in our school. Click link to see Attendance Change Data attendance_data.png |
Conflict Management – Anticipates or seeks to resolve confrontations, disagreements, or complaints in a constructive manner. |
Making sure that teachers feel that their voices are hard is a priority of mine. So I have given them several different ways to express their concerns. Temperature Check Surveys, Plus/Deltas, "Cougar Conversation" Suggestion Box and an open door policy. When I become aware of a concern, I take these concerns to the appropriate party, either the administration, leadership team, or individual teacher to problem-solve a solution in a timely manner. For examples, see Element Vb. Conflict Management and Resolution |
Creative Thinking – Engages in and fosters an environment for others to engage in innovative thinking. |
"Where there's a will there's away" is a phrase that I have often heard myself say this year. When teachers seem frustrated or discourage, I try to get them to think of a better way to get the job done that will make it easier on them. For example, a tradition at Speight is "Thank You, Thursdays." Teachers send in notes recognizing their colleagues and a teacher compiles them each week and sends out a beautiful slide show. This process became an overwhelming task, so the teacher and I brainstormed easier ways and decided to use Padlet. This innovative method not only reduced the teacher's work, but also renewed interest and increased participation. Visit our Padlet to see our "Thank You, Thursdays" padlet.com/jessica_applewhite/mx01mbjqfysx |
Customer Focus – Understands the students as customers of the work of schooling and the servant nature of leadership and acts accordingly. |
Student's are valued as customers at Speight. We have students present at all PTSO meetings and frequently ask their opinions. We have a student advisory board that speaks for their classmates and recently helped brainstorm ideas for PBIS Celebrations. I created a survey to ask students their opinions of our perfect attendance awards and asked them to share how they want to celebrate when they pass their EOGs. Click on the link to view the survey. goo.gl/forms/CiagBSJpEBTXWrEm1 |
Delegation – Effectively assigns work tasks to others in ways that provide learning experiences for them and in ways that ensure the efficient operation of the school. |
I effectively use my delegation skills by making sure that I end every meeting by making sure that everyone knows who is responsible for what tasks and by what date. At the end of every Attendance Committee Meeting, we have minutes that clearly state which member will implement which strategy with which students. I send out follow-up reminders as we approach due dates. I also used my delegation skills at the Spring Carnival Planning Meeting with PTSO. Though, I did not facilitate this meeting, I made sure that when we left every job had a person assigned, and I followed up as we got closer to the event. Click links to view meeting agendas. delegation-attendance_committee_agenda.pdf ptso-spring_carnival_meeting.png |
Dialogue/Inquiry – Is skilled in creating a risk free environment for engaging people in conversations that explore issues, challenges or bad relationships that are hindering school performance. |
Throughout the year, I have had several conversations with teachers that were necessary because their actions were affecting relationships with students and hindering school performance. I approached these conversations and post-observation conferences as a coach with a growth mindset. I ask a lot of leading questions to help the teachers draw their own conclusions. These conversations have gone well. They have built trust and and have improved teacher performance. Click link to view a post-conference plan. post-conference_plan.png |
Emotional Intelligence – Is able to manage oneself through self-awareness and self-management and is able to manage relationships through empathy, social awareness and relationship management. This competency is critical to building strong, transparent, trusting relationships throughout the school community. |
Through the NCLA program, I have engaged in many activities that have helped me become more self-aware. We have taken the Myers-Briggs and True Colors personality assessments, and the TotalSDI Strengths Assessment. Our work with Leadership Gold and the BB&T Leadership Institute has really caused us to examine ourselves and reflect on how we interact with others. Being more self-aware has helped me build stronger relationships because I am more open and more in control of my emotion. Click link to view Myers-Briggs and SDI results. myers-briggs_results.jpg sdi_motivation.jpg sdi_conflict.jpg |
Environmental Awareness – Becomes aware and remains informed of external and internal trends, interests and issues with potential impacts on school policies, practices, procedures and positions. |
During my residency, I have been intentional about eating lunch in the cafeteria at the teacher's table and hanging around after meetings while the teachers chat because this is where you learn about the internal trends, interests, and issues that could potentially impact your school. I have also attended every PTSO meeting to hear about issues from the parents and the community. To keep up to date on district trends, I read all of the board minutes and policy updates. On a broader scale, I receive email updates from NCDPI on a broad range of topics as well as from organizations like ASCD that keep me abreast of issues affecting the educational community. Through NCLA, I had the opportunity to attend a Federal Policy Conference at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC. Here we learned about the external trends and issues facing schools on a national level. Click on the link to view pictures from AEI |
Global Perspective – Understands the competitive nature of the new global economy and is clear about the knowledge and skills students will need to be successful in this economy. |
I attended the 2018 Global Leadership Summit in Boston. This summit opened my eyes to the importance of global education., and it exposed me to the Sustainable Development Goals written by the United Nations, which can be used as a starting place for global education in our schools. It is important that our students realize that what they do in Rural Eastern North Carolina impacts the whole world. Click the link to see my badge awarded for attending the summit and the Sustainable Development Goals. global_leadership_summit_badge.jpg |
Judgment – Effectively reaching logical conclusions and making high quality decisions based on available information. Giving priority and caution to significant issues. Analyzing and interpreting complex information. |
I employ judgement daily when handling discipline issues. I meet with all of the students involved and have them fill out a Student Incident Report. I then investigate the situation and consult the teachers involved. In many cases, the situations is unclear, so I must apply good judgement to ensure that all students are treated justly and that any consequences applied serve a restorative purpose. Click link to see discipline log. docs.google.com/document/d/1bXsu16USn0WgYv4Dkezp0FAWEXYdQvHXyYOryJAZUAk/edit?usp=sharing |
Organizational Ability – Effectively plans and schedules one’s own and the work of others so that resources are used appropriately, such as scheduling the flow of activities and establishing procedures to monitor projects. |
I helped organize several events this year and have lined up teachers to serve in many roles. I organized a Talent Show, a "Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun" Event, a Chili Cook-Off, the Spring Athletic Gate Duty, and workers for the Spring Carnival. Click link to see Talent Show Volunteer Sign-Up docs.google.com/document/d/1ZHl4zjVTPA42a2IHfeCLhVyJDYLw_XM_lFyiQpxoCjI/edit?usp=sharing |
Personal Ethics and Values – Consistently exhibits high standards in the areas of honesty, integrity, fairness, stewardship, trust, respect, and confidentiality |
I employ my personal ethics and values daily as I deal with confidential information regarding students and teachers. I am careful to maintain students' FERPA rights, to secure testing data, and to keep teacher's conversations private when asked to do so. With my words and actions, I try to set an example for teachers and students to follow. The greatest artifact to demonstrate my personal ethics is the trust that my administration, staff, and students place in me. I was asked to hand out the Teachers Working Condition Survey and we had 100% participation. My students often come to me with problems that they are not comfortable sharing with others. ncteachingconditions.org/progress/index student_email.png |
Personal Responsibility for Performance – Proactively and continuously improves performance by focusing on needed areas of improvement and enhancement of strengths; actively seeks and effectively applies feedback from others; takes full responsibility for one’s own achievements. |
It is important to me that I am being what my school needs me to be, so I frequently seek feedback from teachers on my performance. The surveys, plus/deltas, and suggestion box that I monitor not only include feedback for the whole school, but for me personally. I am also growing from the feedback I receive from my mentor principal, executive coach, and directors. I am growing from classwork, book studies, attending conferences such as ASCD Empower 18 and NCPAPA, and Wilson's Aspiring Administrator Sessions. Click the link to see a survey seeking feedback on an activity that I facilitated at a staff meeting. goo.gl/forms/HHcPxDl8ugWf99k63 |
Responsiveness – Does not leave issues, inquiries or requirements for information go unattended. Creates a clearly delineated structure for responding to requests/situations in an expedient manner |
One thing my teachers have learned about me is that if I do not know the answer to a question, I will find out and quickly get back to them. Teachers often bring me questions that they are uncomfortable asking because they know I will find out. When a parent, teacher, or student, sends me an email, I try to respond immediately even if I have to respond that I will inquire and get back with them. I make sure that they know I am working on the issue. Click the links to view a quick response to an email and a Thank You from a teacher. thank_you_from_a_teacher.png quick_repsonse_email.png |
Results Orientation – Effectively assumes responsibility. Recognizes when a decision is required. Takes prompt action as issues emerge. Resolves short-term issues while balancing them against long-term goals. |
One of my assignments at Speight has been to work with a group of 7th grade boys who were retained last year. We started by having a support group that met with me occasionally. After the first 9 weeks, we realized they needed more support and gave them all check-in/out mentors. It quickly became obvious that this strategy was not working and more action needed to be taken. We took them out of an elective and gave them a study hall with a strong teacher who helps them complete their assignments. Several of the students' grades have improved. My work with these boys demonstrates my resilience in making sure I get results. I refuse to give up on these boys, and I will continue to take action until we find a strategy that will produce results. Click link to view boys group mentor log boys_group_mentor_log.png Clink link to view Boys Group SMART Goal Activity smart_goals_for_boys_group.png |
Sensitivity – Effectively perceives the needs and concerns of others; deals tactfully with others in emotionally stressful situations or in conflict. Knowing what information to communicate and to whom. Relating to people of varying ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. |
I try to be sensitive to the needs of others and to try to see the world through others' eyes before I react in situations. Sensitivity has played an important role in my interactions with students, teachers, and parents. With teachers, I try to notice when they are having a particularly stressful time and try to do things to offer relief or at least try not to add to their stress at that time. With students, I pay close attention to their moods when I greet them each mornings, so I know who may need extra attention that day. With parents, I take time to listen. I ask if there is anything we can do to help make their child's experience better, and I am sensitive to the difficulties that their families face. One of my teachers has noticed my ability to be sensitive. Sensitivity is a struggle for her because she naturally is straight forward and matter of the fact. She has started asking we to proof-read her responses to parents to make sure she handles the situation tactfully and comes across as respectful. Click link to see an email from a teacher requesting help with sensitivity. teacher_needing_help_with_sensitivity.png Click link to see a shout out from a student. shout_out_from_a_student.png Click link to see a shout out from a teacher. shout_out_from_teacher.png |
Systems Thinking – Understands the interrelationships and impacts of school and district influences, systems and external stakeholders, and applies that understanding to advancing the achievement of the school or team. |
One of my goals for this year has been to make a lasting impact on my school so that if I must move on, systems are in place to keep positive changes going. For this reason, I established an attendance committee and a vision committee rather than taking on these tasks myself. If I am no longer at Speight, our Counselor and Data Manager will be prepared to keep our efforts toward decreasing Chronic Absenteeism going and our Vision Committee will keep our staff focussed our our core values and vision. Click on the link to see a google calendar invite for the attendance committee. attendance_committee_invite.png Click on the link to view the staff and committee's work on our vision statement. vision_statement_presentation.pdf |
Technology – Effectively utilizes the latest technologies to continuously improve the management of the school and enhance student instruction. |
I use various forms of technology to collect and analyze data. I worked with the Executive Director of Accountability and Testing to learn more about Excel and pivot tables. I use the google suit and google classroom to communicate with teachers and students. I use Google Drawing, Publisher, Canva and Smore to make flyers and newsletters. I use various tech tools when working with students. Teachers often come to me for help with various forms of technology. google_classroom.png |
Time Management – Effectively uses available time to complete work tasks and activities that lead to the achievement of desired work or school results. Runs effective meetings. |
I effectively manage my time so that I get all of the task that my principal assigns done, as well as have time to assist with discipline, conduct walk-throughs and observations, and attend PLCs and Collaborative Planning. I prioritize being visible and available to teachers and students when needed. Paper work can be done when students are not in the building. Click the link to view my time usage chart. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13604cs-U79gt7SmyL45K6o0jsQ7Nkut9Ra4SaCDJeKk/edit?usp=sharing |
Visionary – Encourages Imagineering by creating an environment and structure to capture stakeholder dreams of what the school could become for all the students. |
I led the staff in establishing their core values and vision statement. I did this by leading the staff through a visualization activity that asked them to imagine the perfect school in a perfect world. This activity helped them dream of what Speight could be and what impact Speight could have on the community. See Standard 1a and Standard 3b |