Jim Shetter Ed.

698 Final Summer 2013

The summary of my products that I have developed over the past year marks the completion of my electronic portfolio. In discussion of my profile, I have learned five major elements in this process; standards development, parallel curriculum model, school improvement plan, peer coaching plan and web based portfolio. Throughout this process, I have gained much experience and knowledge towards becoming a competent educational leader. The products and theories I developed encompass my ability to receive my Alaska State Administration Certification Type B license. The entire UAS Educational Leadership program is based on the Educational Leadership Policy Standards: ISLLC 2008 as Adopted by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration. Through the six standards and functions of identifiers, I was able to process the products I developed and align them for each standard and function. The six standards were the guidelines towards my competency in achieving my goals in the process of becoming an Alaska certified principal. Through these standards, I was able to complete my required artifacts for the completion of the program and fulfill the standard requirements aligned with each function. Below are the six standards. 1. An education leader promotes the success of every student by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by all stakeholders. 2. An education leader promotes the success of every student by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth. 3. An education leader promotes the success of every student by ensuring management of the organization, operation, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. 4. An education leader promotes the success of every student by collaborating with faculty and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources. 5. An education leader promotes the success of every student by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner. 6. An education leader promotes the success of every student by understanding, responding to, and influencing the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

The process in the development of a parallel curriculum model (PCM) was an essential factor towards being an instructional leader. The majority of my learning came from working on the PCM unit and taught me the importance that all students can learn and it does not matter what grade you are in, learning abilities, if you are gifted, an average student, or a special needs student. They can learn the same lesson and assess them in similar ways, but at their own ability level. The idea is to nurture the varied strengths and interests among all students as being equals. What the PCM provides for teachers is the comprehensive framework that they can design, evaluate, and revise existing curriculum for all units. This improves the quality of curriculum units, lessons, and tasks that will enhance the general, gifted and special needs curricula for teachers. This increases the authenticity and power of the knowledge that students acquire and their related learning activity. The school improvement plan, or the alternative process I used, was the STEPP (Step Toward Educational Progress and Partnership) program at my school as intern principal. I found that this product taught me the importance of being an instructional leader and by using this ongoing school program as our school guideline. As a member of STEPP team, we reviewed of progress report program and met on a monthly basis. The team would discuss our school progress and review process sections that are assessed by the number of indicators assessed out of the total number of indicators in that section /subsection. I learned a whole different assessment process using the STEPP program which many schools are moving towards this program. The peer coaching plan was one of my favorite products as I was working with a very in incredible teacher. Developing a trusting relationship with her and then evaluating her concepts and objectives towards curriculum and then reflecting on her performance in the classroom was difficult at first. This process took quite a bit of time on both the teacher and myself in scheduling time in the process. The amount of time used to meet with her for pre-evaluations, evaluations and post evaluation

was extensive. Being able to be objective and subjective without being personal is a task in and of itself. I was able to develop a relationship and trusting partnership with her through this process. The last process I found fun was developing my own web page for this program. Using www.weebly.com as my portfolio is a great way to present oneself. (www.jimshetterportfolio.weebly.com ) I have never used this site before and have received great reviews from principals I knew that I shared it with this past 3 weeks developing this site. It is clear and very user friendly. I believe that future educational leadership students should use this site as it is a function that could be used in standard one and three. This year was the fastest year of my life. I was constantly busy working on my products and learned a vast amount of information. These few products I have written about are just a small sample of my new knowledge as I reviewed my progress and portfolio. I believe this portfolio will help me secure a position as an Educational Leader.