CARE Reflection

Completing the internship activities and evaluating our district improvement plan was definitely a learning experience.  As I went through each activity and collaborated with teachers and staff, I realized the true meaning of goal-driven plans.  Our mission at Liberty ISD is to ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential.  In order to achieve this goal, I had to take a closer look at our district improvement plan.  I chose to focus on the areas of improving student literacy, curriculum alignment, and improving test scores.  While focusing on these three areas, I made the recommendations that my district should:  ensure that all grade levels participate in vertical planning, horizontal planning, and curriculum alignment, ensure all instruction is rigorous, relevant, focused, and meets students’ needs, and evaluate student needs to plan appropriate interventions. 

In the first activity, I spoke with the English/Language Arts staff, the curriculum director, and the at-risk coordinator on how we can increase student literacy.  I learned a lot about how a balanced reading program should look.  I was able to sit in on several English/Language Arts classes where I learned about scaffolding, read alouds, guided readings, and anchor charts.  I observed the at-risk coordinator and curriculum director complete several demonstrations on a variety of reading activities that can be used to effectively improve reading skills.  I also observed students while they participated in independent reading, partner activities, and computer reading programs that included IStation, ISIP, and Accelerated Reader.  It was great to see the students engaged in reading activities and watch their reading levels increase.

            In the second activity, I was able to participate in the implementation process of a school/district curriculum.  I learned that the district has options when it comes to choosing a curriculum that will be used on each campus.  When looking at a new curriculum, we, as administrators, try to choose the program that best fits the needs of the students on our campus.  I also learned that several aspects have to be analyzed in order to implement and maintain a new curriculum.  Currently, our district uses CScope.  In order to be successful using this curriculum, I realized that a key element of the success of the curriculum is administrative support. During this school year, I have had the opportunity to be an active participant in the curriculum by attending teacher training workshops and observing lessons. 

In the final activity, I organized and led a team of teachers to study and develop a plan for improving test scores. The teachers viewed test results for last year and noticed that weaknesses appeared in 3^rd grade reading, 4th grade writing, and 5th grade math. I was able to work with the team and make decisions on how we could implement learning activities outside of the core classes to enhance student achievement.  During this time, I worked with the teachers as they examined their class's test scores and identified their students' specific strengths and weaknesses. I then worked with the teachers to focus their instruction and assessment on areas that needed the most concentration. The teachers worked to develop new teaching strategies and methods while the principal and I arranged training and obtained materials needed to improve those specific areas.

Overall, these activities helped me to look at areas of curriculum, testing, and instruction from different points of view, as well as focus on how to assist staff in motivating students to reach higher and achieve success.