Gilberto Martinez Reflection of EDAD Experience Dr.

Brad Allison Reflection What have you learned about yourself and leadership?

When I initially enrolled in the program, I was excited about entering administration, it seems that my philosophy has changed, but for the better. This program has really taught me how to think like an administrator, which is completely different than a teacher. As a teacher, we are constantly thinking about curriculum and how we are going to meet the needs of our students. As teachers, sometimes we do not see the bigger picture, but rather what s in front of us at that moment and what will I need to achieve my goal.

Thinking like an administrator is different in one sense or another. You will always think about the students; Isnt that the reason why I really went into teaching and isnt that where my passion lies? As an administrator, you think about the students, but you are also thinking about the adults, your director, parents, classified personnel, and other crisis that are on the horizon. You have to really think about the bigger picture and use your foresight to think about all of the different possibilities. On top of all of that, you still have to think about your own wellbeing and finding a balance between work and home life. You might not always agree with your supervisors, but you are required to take the heat for the decisions they make, because you are middle management! I think that is the toughest place to be in.

I learned that that struggle never ends, but there are avenues in which you can voice your opinion and you have to build a safety net. I had the classroom that we called the corner store, because all of the teachers would hang out there. Unfortunately, I cannot have those relationships with subordinates, because I am held to a higher standard. I am perceived as one of them, whoever

them are. In this position, I cannot have a tarnish on my record or cannot constantly voice my opinion, because then I lose credibility, which is difficult to get back.

I know that I can lead a group of people to accomplish a task, but I always have to think in the most basic of terms, please some of the teachers, and might have to make tough decisions, yet face all of the backlash. Thinking in the basic of terms requires an individual to be cool, calm, and collected. Administrators cannot wear their emotions on their sleeves, because the staff is looking for you to be the rock, the constant, the leader. Sometimes, you have to take a step back and make a decision, where you know people are not going to be happy and you are going feel uncomfortable with your decisions, but those were the decisions that were necessary for the greater good.

Tom Hanks said in Saving Private Ryan, Gripes go up, not down, expressing the importance of being a leader. As a leader, I know what the overall objective is and that I have to achieve those objectives, while standing up for what I believe in: students. At times, that could get one in trouble, but my philosophy and values supersede all.

Do I still want to be a leader? I teeter-totter on this decision all of the time, but that is normal. I always remember the greater good and have students first.

How will you use what you have learned?

This is a tough question to answer, given the different perspectives and the mentoring I received. First and foremost, I know that I must reflect on my decisions and balance my life. I know that all decisions are open for criticism and I could never please 100% of the staff. It is important to remain true to your morals and remain ethical, regardless of what decisions others have made. Being ethical will help you sleep at night! Knowing that at the end of the day you were not selfish,

but thinking about the students and assisting the individuals in your community. Not being selfish is an interesting concept, given that we are selfish people at times; however, we have to think about completing objectives.

As an administrator it is easy to get bogged down with paperwork, but what does that really accomplish? Nothing. Mr. Torres said something that really stuck, No one is waiting outside of your office to complete your paperwork. Now that I think about that comment, being in the position that I am in, I laugh because there is no one waiting there, but people wonder what you do in your office. Do I really want to be one of those administrators who is in my office, completing paperwork? Or do I want to be in the classroom, seen around campus, and respected by all, while completing the paperwork after hours? The latter is more important, because teachers, students, and parents have an affinity to you. I also know that I have to stay one step ahead of my teachers, because they will call you out on it. When you are an administrator that knows absolutely nothing, the staff questions your decision and begins to plot against you because you are incompetent.

Decisions are important, because you are not there to manage personalities. People are going to be upset, especially when there are peoples livelihoods at stake. No emotions in front of the staff, but should be shared with your cohort of friends. Plan, plan, and plan. Being prepared and thinking ahead is very important, because that will lead your school. Organization is also an essential trait and quality, because checklists will be created a completed.

Describe how your site supervisor(s) assisted you in your fieldwork activities in terms of observation and coaching techniques and in ways of successfully fostering learning in adults. As a recipient of the Los Angeles Principal Residency Network (LAPRN) grant, I was provided with opportunities that would probably not been available to me. The program required me to be

out of the classroom and assume a leadership role on campus, under the guidance of my mentor. In my case, my mentor was my principal.

My principal was a great mentor, who would hold weekly meetings with me to discuss scenarios and my responsibilities. He allowed me to really think about what my focus was going to be for my project and backed me 100%. Because of him, I was really able to assume a leadership role and was able to successfully carry out internship.

My project was the analysis of school culture and its effect on API, students, and staff. With the assistance of Dr. Jones, Dr. Schindler, and Mr. Torres, I was able to change the mindset of teachers at my site. We really worked on creating a school culture that would foster academic growth, while meeting the districts requirements and using the School Climate Inventory, developed by Jones and Shindler. These findings were interesting, because our professional development was going to be shaped and molded around the staff input. As we analyzed the staff, student, and parent surveys, we were able to predict the API growth of Abraham Lincoln High School. We realized that classrooms were going to have to be high functioning, student centered if we were going to create meaningful change. The question was how were we going to complete this task?

When we analyzed the results of the survey, we realized that API had become stagnant and the staff was in need of professional development that was going to change the pedagogy of teachers. At first, there were some teachers who were resistant to change and did not even want to entertain the thought of a paradigm shift. Not everyone came around, but we were able to begin the conversations that have continued and will ultimately change mindsets towards a psychology of success.

What advice can you give the novice EDAD 581 students who will be doing clinical internship experiences?

It is important to find someone who is really going to push you to reach your maximum potential. If you are not challenged, you probably will not grow and will remain in the classroom or become an ineffective leader. Learn as much as you can in the beginning and begin the internship early. I can honestly say that I appreciate what LAPRN has done for me and the opportunities they have provided. Irene is such an asset. If it were not for her guidance, questioning, deep thinking, collaboration, and so on, I would not be in the position that I am in, or would not have grown as much. I really thank her and appreciate everything she has done for me.

Students, get to know your professors. Dr. Jones, Dr. Schindler, and Dr. Allison have been great facilitators of learning. They really pushed us to think and have really allowed me to grow. A great professor can change your life and these gentlemen have changed mine.