Caleb and Katie,
This year has gotten off to a wonderful start. The last three weeks have already exceeded my expectations of graduate school. From what I’ve seen of both HGSE and CCSC, I know that the next year will allow me to graduate feeling prepared and motivated to embark on this new path of that I have chosen for myself.
As you know, I spent the last three years in southern Japan teaching English. I generally view this as a positive experience, but I must admit that I’ve developed insecurities about my competencies as an educator; I can’t exchange stories about TFA training, I’ve never structured my lessons around test scores and other data, and I’ve never dealt with angry parents. I didn’t even know what PD or IEP meant before I …show more content…
But my time in spent Japan counts. It was meaningful. I need to work on truly acknowledging that. Throughout the next year, I must own my past experiences in order to become the leader that I wish to be. I believe that I have the capacity to lead and I think others around me would describe me as a leader, as well. Still, I know I will struggle with initiating difficult, but necessary conversations when in positions of authority. Although I recognize the value in skillfully approaching such conversations, I tend to address issues “safely,” hoping to avoid all further conflict. Similarly, it is sometimes difficult for me to find my voice in group settings. I prefer to observe, process, and later share my thoughts, a method that worked quite well in undergraduate classrooms and even in Japanese workplaces. However, I know that school leaders cannot always afford to wait until they are comfortable or ready to address an issue. From now on, I want to push myself and also be pushed to be uncomfortable and make use of the voice that I know I have.
Aside from critical leadership skills, there are a number of areas of school management that I would like to experience first-hand. Time permitting, I’d like to sit in on budget and other admin meetings, work alongside Halley as she drafts grant proposals, observe and assist Ben with his mentoring programs, and witness how Nadira and Luz guide students through the college application process. I’m …show more content…
Through observation and perhaps even surveys, I am interested in how faculty and other community members at CCSC support female students emotionally and academically. The reason for this is that in the future I intend to design a college preparatory school for girls with racial and socio-economic backgrounds similar to those of CCSC students.
I’ll finish by saying that within the last three weeks, I have already learned so much about my abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. I find comfort in knowing that my courses at HGSE and time spent at CCSC will allow me to think even deeper about what being an effective leader in education really means. Throughout this year-long journey, I welcome any and all constructive feedback that will push me to step outside of my comfort zone and assist me in the process of becoming a school leader.
I’m looking forward to a great year with both of you and all of CCSC!
Katie
This year has gotten off to a wonderful start. The last three weeks have already exceeded my expectations of graduate school. From what I’ve seen of both HGSE and CCSC, I know that the next year will allow me to graduate feeling prepared and motivated to embark on this new path of that I have chosen for myself.
As you know, I spent the last three years in southern Japan teaching English. I generally view this as a positive experience, but I must admit that I’ve developed insecurities about my competencies as an educator; I can’t exchange stories about TFA training, I’ve never structured my lessons around test scores and other data, and I’ve never dealt with angry parents. I didn’t even know what PD or IEP meant before I …show more content…
But my time in spent Japan counts. It was meaningful. I need to work on truly acknowledging that. Throughout the next year, I must own my past experiences in order to become the leader that I wish to be. I believe that I have the capacity to lead and I think others around me would describe me as a leader, as well. Still, I know I will struggle with initiating difficult, but necessary conversations when in positions of authority. Although I recognize the value in skillfully approaching such conversations, I tend to address issues “safely,” hoping to avoid all further conflict. Similarly, it is sometimes difficult for me to find my voice in group settings. I prefer to observe, process, and later share my thoughts, a method that worked quite well in undergraduate classrooms and even in Japanese workplaces. However, I know that school leaders cannot always afford to wait until they are comfortable or ready to address an issue. From now on, I want to push myself and also be pushed to be uncomfortable and make use of the voice that I know I have.
Aside from critical leadership skills, there are a number of areas of school management that I would like to experience first-hand. Time permitting, I’d like to sit in on budget and other admin meetings, work alongside Halley as she drafts grant proposals, observe and assist Ben with his mentoring programs, and witness how Nadira and Luz guide students through the college application process. I’m …show more content…
Through observation and perhaps even surveys, I am interested in how faculty and other community members at CCSC support female students emotionally and academically. The reason for this is that in the future I intend to design a college preparatory school for girls with racial and socio-economic backgrounds similar to those of CCSC students.
I’ll finish by saying that within the last three weeks, I have already learned so much about my abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. I find comfort in knowing that my courses at HGSE and time spent at CCSC will allow me to think even deeper about what being an effective leader in education really means. Throughout this year-long journey, I welcome any and all constructive feedback that will push me to step outside of my comfort zone and assist me in the process of becoming a school leader.
I’m looking forward to a great year with both of you and all of CCSC!
Katie