LaTonya Darling-Cole

Self-Reflection
Summer 2016
Significant Aspects of my Internship & Ed. Specialist Program
I am so proud of myself for completing the journey of obtaining my Ed.
Specialist degree with a focus on curriculum leadership. Although I began this
journey in 2012, I believe that I have made the right decision by returning to
Oakland University and joining the 2014-2016 cohort family.
As a graduating cohort, we have encouraged each other throughout the
process of completing all the required course assignments, creating and
presenting individual and group power point presentations, and participating
in the most intense steps of developing, analyzing, and presenting our small
group research paper and presentation at the 2016 OU Symposium. Wow!
What an awesome cohort of educators!
Major Points of Learning
I believe that having a mentor throughout the course of the Ed.S
program allowed me to observe the important roles and duties that a school
administrator must carry out on a daily basis. During our mentor/mentee
discussion meetings, I was able to increase my knowledge base as to what it
takes to be an effective and efficient leader amongst teachers, students, and
families within the school community. I was able to step outside of the
Reading Recovery box, which allowed me to move from the Developing status
on my pre-leadership survey to the Proficient status on my post-leadership
survey in a few skilled areas. I am thankful that my mentor allowed me to
facilitate working with the first grade cohort of teachers at Way Elementary,
and he allowed me to present literacy theory and awareness to the staff.
All the courses within this program have added to my growth of being a
professional leader within the education sector. Im pleased that I unofficially
attended the EA 740 course (School as a Formal Organization) in the fall of
2014, because it gave me the chance to revisit and gain a better understanding
of the four frames, which provided me a deeper sense of theory of each frame. I
enjoyed participating in the EA 754 course (HR Management and Supervision),
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because the learning about the art of mindfulness assisted me to become a

more insightful Reading Recovery Teacher Leader for Bloomfield Hills. This
course should definitely continue to be a part of the Ed. Specialist program at
Oakland University. This course will help educational leaders learn how to take
time out of their busy schedules to self-reflect on their inner self, which in turn
can help individuals become more effective in their role(s).
Furthermore, going through the process with my team of selecting a
research topic, conducting the research project, analyzing our findings,
disaggregating the resulting data, and presenting the research at the 2016 OU
Symposium was truly an experience to remember. Although we endured some
stressful times, our team developed a special bond, and I am so grateful that
we all worked together to fulfill the accomplishment of conducting such an
insightful research.
I believe that each professor within my courses provided new knowledge
of theory in leadership, which prompted me to continuously review and reflect
on my role as an educational leader within my school district. The stories that
each professor shared were powerful, because I have gained an understanding
of what leaders need to take into consideration as they are leading individuals
(see the following):
1. Self-Values (The Value System)
2. Values of Others (The Truth about Leadership)
3. Understanding Oneself (Mindfulness)
4. Making Tough Decisions (The Four Frames)
5. Developing into an Effective Leader (The EA 754 & EA 743
Mentor/Mentee Surveys)
Issues of Concerns
As I have learned about the importance of incorporating the theory of the
Four Frames within the education sector, gained an understanding of the pros
and cons of Proposal A and how it can affect districts across the state of
Michigan in the next few years, and realizing the process that our district
administrators must endure as they wisely create a fiscal budget each year for
the entire school year, I have acquired a few concerns and questions. Now that
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I am aware of what true leadership skills entails, my concern is how can I (just
a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader) able to keep myself thinking beyond the
rim of the Reading Recovery world, especially at this present time as I on the
road towards officially completing the Ed.S Program? I would love to continue
to increase my understandings of the districts budget. I would love to observe
how HR may or may not utilize the knowledge of the Four Frames in order for
all stakeholders to stay motivated and involved in establishing a well-rounded
and productive school system.
Now that I have new knowledge and a better understanding of some
tasks that may need to be completed in order to run a successful school
district, my goal, as a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, is to step outside of
my comfort zone, and begin attending board meetings to really listen intensely
as to how school leaders must make tough decisions, and to hear what other
school issues the district may have to face and discuss throughout the course
of the next academic school year.
Conclusion
I must say, that although I faced some challenges while completing this
program, I am so thankful to have each professor help guide me down this
journey of completion. Each professor is filled with a wealth of knowledge and
experience in which can assist any student within any cohort to become the
effective and self-reflective leader that they strive to be.
I must conclude by stating that I feel that I have accomplished the one
of the hardest and worthwhile goals that I have set for myself within any aspect
of my life. And I must say, I am so proud that I have obtained my third and
final degree from the prestigious institution, the one, the only, Oakland
University!

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