Self assessment reflection

When completing this self-assessment, it forced me to analyze what I know, what I am in the process of learning, and what I need to work on.  Since the beginning of this program, I have developed more areas of strength and competence.  In my initial assessment, my strong areas were working with people, being fair and ethical with all stakeholders, promoting a culture of learning and a climate where everyone feels comfortable and safe, and tying the school community to the community surrounding the schools.   The areas where I needed improvement dealt with the topics of curriculum, technology, financial management, and resource utilization.

            Since then, I feel like my strong areas lie in competencies one- the superintendent knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner in order to promote the success of all students, seven- the superintendent knows how to implement a staff evaluation and development system and select appropriate models for supervision and staff development to improve the performance of all staff members, and ten-the superintendent knows how to apply organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to comply with federal and state requirements and facilitate positive change in varied contexts.

            I realize that there are several areas where I need improvement.  As I stay in the career of education, I realize that my expertise is lacking in terms of working with the media, school boards, and political leaders.  I now feel like my weak areas lie in competencies four- the superintendent knows how to respond to and influence the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context, including working with the board of trustees, to achieve the district's educational vision, eight- the superintendent knows how to apply principles of effective leadership and management in relation to district budgeting, personnel, resource utilization, financial management, and technology application, and nine- The superintendent knows how to apply principles of leadership and management to the district's physical plant and support systems to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.

            I plan to work on the following areas which include analyzing factors that affect student education, communicating effectively with the school board, accessing and working with local, state, and national political systems whose input affects education, applying procedures for planning, funding, renovating, and/or constructing school facilities to support the district’s mission and goals, and implementing strategies that enable the district's physical plant, equipment, and support systems to operate safely, efficiently, and effectively.  In order to strengthen these areas of weakness I will have to attend board meetings, interact with stakeholders, and work directly with the district facilities manager, chief financial officer and district superintendent.