Site Supervisor Conference (Internship Plan)

On Wednesday, I was able to meet with my site supervisor, Superintendent Vicki Jones, and discuss my Internship Plan.  Having read the plan earlier, Ms. Jones was familiar with the activities listed and the time involved in completing the individual projects.  We spent time reading through the plan and discussing the specific activities chosen.  Ms. Jones was very encouraging throughout and assured me that she would be available to help me as much as needed as I worked through the selected activities.

One of the activities that we discussed at length was the interview with the business manager (Activity 24b).  Both of us felt that this was an important activity because it related directly to one of my identified weaknesses, Competency Area 8 which deals with finance and budgeting.  We agreed that this would be an excellent time for me to begin developing a better understanding of the budgeting process and the crucial issues surrounding finance in our district.  As with many districts this year, we have faced a shortfall that has forced us to be extremely conservative with our resources this year.  I am looking forward to this interview and hope to come away with a better grasp on school finance.   

Ms. Jones recommended several key changes to the internship plan.  After our discussion, I changed Activity 13b to 13d.  Rather than trying to find an activity to help plan or direct, I chose to interview randomly selected students to determine their opinions of our cocurricular activities.  Due to the size of our school, the activities are limited and we have had questions recently about the possibility of adding programs.  Ms. Jones and I agreed that this would be a good time to talk to our students directly and seek their input on the issue.  The other changes involved adding detail to the plan.  In Activity 5c, I will be examining the current issue of how to best use our elementary computer lab.  This has been an ongoing issue for several years and we have recently started updating the lab with plans to require more class use of the lab.  In Activity 15c, I will be working with several individuals who have been affected by the Character Education Program we recently began.  In Activity 35a, I will be dealing with the current issue of the use of our elementary Science Lab.  In each of these activities, the additional detail should make the selected activity more clear and understandable.  It has also helped me to make a more definite plan with a more exact idea of which individuals and programs I will be attempting to influence in a positive direction.

Interview With Superintendent Vicki Jones, Leggett ISD

I found the superintendent interview to be very interesting.  I chose to interview my superintendent at Leggett ISD, Ms. Vicki Jones.  Even though she is entering only her fourth year as superintendent, she actually took the superintendent’s certification exam more than fifteen years ago.  One of the most obvious things I learned was that even though the terminology may have changed, Ms. Jones was very familiar with the knowledge and skills required to fulfill the duties of a superintendent.  I found our interview to be an excellent opportunity to discuss some of the things that educators seldom find the time to talk about in the midst of our daily activities.  Even though I have worked closely with Ms. Jones for the last three years, the “formal” interview gave us the opportunity to discuss many of the big issues surrounding education that we had never really talked about before.

To begin, I found Ms. Jones definition of leadership to be very informative.  Basically, she defined leadership as the ability to bring about change by bringing out the best in yourself and others and getting each to make the effort to give his or her best in any given situation.  I liked the emphasis she placed on change as a vital part of leadership.  Encouraging people to do their best is certainly a part of leadership, but to what end are we giving our best?  Unless we are working to bring about positive changes, are we really leading?  I thought the answer set the tone for the rest of our interview.

The next two questions also brought interesting answers.  In talking about the positive and negative aspects of being in a leadership position, Ms. Jones again talked about change.  In her opinion, the most important positive aspect was having the authority to put in motion changes that will have a positive outcome for employees and students.  As a negative aspect, Ms. Jones mentioned the fact that sometimes there are employees who resent your authority over them and must be convinced of your desire to improve their situation.  She also talked about the fact that as the leader, you often have to deal with the problems left behind by previous leaders in your role or position.  I think it is very true that as a leader, you have authority to make change, but as she stated, not everyone will be eager to go along with every change you propose.  When people decide to throw rocks (literally or not), often it is the leader out front who gets hit.

When asked about the attributes of a good superintendent, Ms. Jones said that a good superintendent must be a good politician.  She went on to say that the job is a constant juggling of responsibilities and expectations.  In addition, she stated that a superintendent must be knowledgeable, consistent, fair, and open-minded.  Finally, and maybe most importantly, a superintendent should always be flexible.  I think this is a good set of attributes, and with the next question on ethical behavior, we were able to add a few more characteristics of a good superintendent.  Ms. Jones stated that she believes that the SBEC Competency One includes a number of vital attributes for a superintendent.  We both agreed that ethical leadership is essential to success as a superintendent.

Because I believe it is one of my weak areas, I was particularly interested in Ms. Jones answers regarding SBEC Competency Eight concerning budgeting, personnel, resource utilization, financial management, and technology application.  According to Ms. Jones, a superintendent must work closely with the Region Center, business manager, board, school administration, and staff when designating budget funds.  Only when all of these people are involved can funds be used to the district’s best advantage.  She also said that a superintendent must then work closely with the business manager to ensure that funds are used properly and that all necessary paperwork is completed for accounting purposes.  Finally, as superintendent she stated that she must work to make sure that the district receives all the funds to which we are legally entitled.

The final questions gave Ms. Jones the opportunity to add any additional information or advice for me as I prepare to one day become a superintendent.  She advised me to always strive to be versatile and have broad shoulders.  She reminded me that in a smaller district the superintendent is expected to be everywhere and involved in everything.  He or she must maintain weekly or sometimes daily contact with board members and make every effort to be involved in every aspect of the school’s operations.  Most of all, she advised me to remember to be constantly learning and evolving with the district. 

Overall, I believe that I learned a great deal through this interview and I enjoyed the chance to sit down with an experienced superintendent and talk about all of the things that I still need to learn before I take on this challenge.   

Professional Vita

Richard Perry

134 Cardinal Drive, Livingston, TX 77351

(W) (936) 398-2412; (H) (936) 328-8211; rperry@leggettisd.net

Education/Certification

Superintendent Certification                     Lamar University (in progress)

Mid-Management Certification                  Sam Houston State University, 1998

PDAS Certification                                      Region VI ESC, 1997 (Renewal Training, 1998)

M.Ed.                                                              Educational Administration, Sam Houston State University, 1997

BS                                                                   East Texas Baptist University, 1979

Teacher Certification                                   All-Level Health and PE (PK-12), Secondary English (6-12)

Administrative and Leadership Experience

Principal

Leggett Independent School District, Leggett, TX, 2007-present

·         Administered all campus activities for Leggett High School and Leggett Elementary School

·         Served as primary PDAS evaluator for all district teaching staff

·         Served as Textbook Coordinator for the district

·         Served as Athletic Director for the district

Administrative Assistant (Transportation, Attendance)

Livingston Independent School District, Livingston, TX, 2005-2007

·         Worked with the Transportation Director to map all bus routes for district

·         Served as secondary evaluator for district bus drivers

·         Served as Attendance Liaison for five district campuses

·         Contacted parents weekly to monitor attendance problems

Principal, Livingston Intermediate School

Livingston Independent School District, Livingston, TX, 2001-2005

·         Served as campus principal for grades five and six

·         Earned “Recognized” rating in 2001-02 school year

·         Served as primary PDAS evaluator for campus teaching staff

Assistant Principal, Lansberry Elementary School

Trinity Independent School District, Trinity, TX, 1998-2001

·         Worked with school counselor to develop Positive Discipline Management program for grades PK-5

·         Taught after school computer skills classes for teaching staff

·         Served as Textbook Coordinator for Trinity ISD

·         Worked on several successful grants for the campus and district

Assistant Principal, Coldspring Intermediate School

Coldspring Independent School District, Coldspring, TX, 1997-1998

·         Monitored instructional aides on campus

·         Handled disciplinary referrals for campus

·         Assisted with teacher and aide appraisals

Teaching Experience

High School English Teacher

Trinity High School, Trinity, TX, 1993-1997

·         Taught 9^th, 10^th, and 12^th grade English

·         Improved TAAS scores for three consecutive years

Middle School and High School English Teacher

N. A. Howry Middle School, Lake Worth High School, Lake Worth, TX, 1989-1993

·         Taught 6^th and 9^th grade English

·         Served on the Language Arts curriculum writing team

·         Served on the Site-Based Decision Making team

High School Physical Education Teacher

Central High School, Pollok, TX, 1988-1989

·         Taught Physical Education classes for all grades 9-12

·         Revised the PE curriculum into Sport/Fitness units

High School English Teacher

Rockdale High School, Rockdale, TX, 1986-1988

·         Taught 9^th and 11^th grade English

·         Served on the Language Arts curriculum writing team

High School English Teacher

Mathis High School, Mathis, TX, 1982-1986

·         Taught 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th grade English

·         Served on the Language Arts curriculum writing team

High School English Teacher

University High School, Waco, TX, 1980-1982

·         Taught 10^th and 11^th grade English

·         Taught GED preparation classes

Coaching Experience

Girls’ Athletic Coordinator

Trinity High School, Trinity, TX, 1993-1997

·         Coached cross-country, volleyball, basketball, track, and tennis

·         Won district championship in volleyball in 1996

·         Won district championship in basketball in 1996

·         Named District 20-3A Basketball Coach of the Year 1996

·         Basketball team was ranked 17^th in state by Texas Association of Basketball Coaches in 1997

·         Coached athletes in post-district competition in cross-country, volleyball, basketball, track, and tennis.

Head Girls’ Basketball Coach

Lake Worth High School, Lake Worth, TX, 1989-1991

Head Girls’ Basketball Coach

Central High School, Pollok, TX, 1988-1989

·         Team ranked 9^th in state by Texas Girls’ Coaches Association

·         Team was ranked 12^th in state by Texas Association of Basketball Coaches

Girls’ Athletic Coordinator

Rockdale High School, Rockdale, TX, 1986-1988

·         Served as head coach in volleyball and basketball

·         Won Bi-District Volleyball Championship in 1986

·         Named District 19-3A Volleyball Coach of the Year 1986

·         Named Waco Tribune Herald Super-Centex Basketball Coach of the Year 1986

Girls’ Athletic Coordinator

Mathis High School, Mathis, TX, 1982-1986

·         Served as head coach in volleyball and basketball

·         Won District Championship in Basketball in 1983

·         Named District 30-3A Basketball Coach of the Year in 1983

·         Basketball team was ranked 19^th in state by Texas Association of Basketball Coaches

Assistant Volleyball and Basketball Coach

University High School, Waco, TX, 1980-1982

Professional Affiliations

Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, 2007-present

Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, 1997-2005

Texas High School Girls’ Coaches Association, 1980-1997

Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, 1982-1997

References

References will be included on the following page, if requested.

My New Wiki

I have just finished creating my Wiki.  I don't really know much about wikis yet, but I am learning.  Here is the link http://ricksadventuresineducation.wikispaces.com/.  I know, not very original, but do I get credit for consistency?

Administrators and Blogs

This is my first experience in blogging.  I have always tried to model best practices for the teachers on my staff.  Hopefully, as I learn new things through this program, I will be able to share them with my teachers and encourage them to try some of the things I am learning.  Who knows?  Maybe Leggett ISD will become a hotbed of blogging!

Action Research

Based on my reading, I suppose “action research” involves a collaborative effort of a group of people to solve a problem or set of problems.  The online courses we are beginning are, I suppose, a kind of action research as we learn together how to develop the knowledge and skills to conquer the superintendent certification test, and then beyond that to achieve some degree of success in our careers as superintendents.  Although I have worked in public education for many years, I firmly believe that I still have a lot to learn.  I am hoping that our cohort has a good variety of professionals who will bring many different perspectives to the program.  I come from a background of coaching girls’ sports and teaching English at the secondary level.  As an administrator, I have worked at both elementary and secondary levels and currently serve as the PK-12 principal of a very small school.  I know that the problems I face on a daily basis will be familiar to many, but foreign to others.  I look forward to sharing with other professionals who work in different situations, but share my common goal of improving the education of my students.  As we “reflect” on the decisions we make each day, and share our thoughts, it is my desire that we will help each other to make the most of this program and our experiences over the next year.

Rick