COMPETENCY

REFLECTION
Rachelle De La Cruz
Spring 2017
 COMPETENCY 1
The principal knows how to shape campus culture by facilitating the development, articulation,
implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the
school community.
How:
This year, I was a part of the vision committee. We were charged with creating a vision for the
campus and helping to present it to the staff. Additionally, as an instructional coach, I was
charged with crafting a vision of instruction and learning for teachers and students, alike.
What:
I have learned that people will follow you if you have a clear vision and pathway to achieve
that vision. I have also learned to always place the best interest of students and staff are surely
going to buy into the vision and expectations.
I still have to learn how to engage the outside community given I am not in the classroom nor
am I in an administrative role, at the moment.
 COMPETENCY 2
The principal knows how to communicate and collaborate with all members of the school community,
respond to diverse interests and needs, and mobilize resources to promote student success.
How:
This year, I have coached 26 teachers in grades Pre-K to second and they are each very different. I
have had to work to build relationships and get to know their individual needs and personalities in
order to effect change for students.
What:
I have learned it is imperative to get to know your staff. A school should feel and operate as a family
therefore the principal should have a deep understanding of each person and what they are battling
with daily. This knowledge base will help to move staff to make changes for student academic
growth.
I still have to learn the fullest extent of a principals ability to mobilize resources for the campus,
students, and teachers.
 COMPETENCY 3
The principal knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical and legal manner.
How:
I have rated myself highly given I always seek to act with integrity and fairness with all of the
teachers and students I interact with. This course has affirmed I should always act with fairness in
mind and take the ethical path even when it is unpopular. I lead with my moral compass always.
What:
I have learned to continue to follow my moral compass when making decisions on a school
campus. There were times this year when I witnessed others respond to a problem in a manner
that made me uncomfortable. Through these observations, I have learned what not to do when I
become an administrator.
I still have to learn all of the district policies and the limitations of a principal when making
decisions.
 COMPETENCY 4
The principal knows how to facilitate the design and implementation of curricula and strategic plans that
enhance teaching and learning; ensure alignment of curriculum, instruction, resources, and assessment; and
promote the use of varied assessments to measure student performance.
How:
I have served as an instructional coach for the past four years and have supported teachers in grades Pre-
Kinder to eighth. In my role, I write assessments that are aligned to the prioritized TEKS, facilitate planning
sessions, observe for execution and provide modeling. Additionally, I model and co-teach with teachers when
they are struggling in a particular area of balanced literacy. I also lead professional development on ways to
increase effective of guided reading, running record assessment, and I maintain a record of students reading
levels through the year in conjunction with teachers.
What:
As a future administrator, this is the one task I want to prioritize above all else. People will follow those who
never forget they were teachers once. A great leader is someone who will place themselves in their teachers
shoes and I will continue to model what I expect in the classroom. Too often, principals preoccupy themselves
with tasks that are non-instructional to the detriment of students and teachers.
I still have to learn how to take coach hat off and think from the perspective of an administrator in this
competency.
 COMPETENCY 5
The principal knows how to advocate, nurture, and sustain an instructional program and a campus
culture and conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
How:
This year, I have worked with teachers to establish a systemic way of conducting guided reading as
well as running records. In the past, teachers had not been following the tenets of balanced literacy
with fidelity. Moreover, teachers are now conducting running records every 3 weeks and giving
common assessments every 3 weeks to monitor comprehension. Additionally, I have begun to pilot
the Lucy Calkins unit of study in Writing with my Kinder, 1st, and 2nd grade teams. All of these
initiatives have required extensive professional development and maintenance through a recursive
cycle of modeling, observing, and coaching.
What:
I have learned an administrator must inspect what they expect or it will not be done. If you do not
inspect, teachers will believe it is not important.
I still have to learn how to differentiate and support teachers with professional development. Given
where the school is, at the moment, the priority was to get our teachers on the same page first.
 COMPETENCY 6
The principal knows how to implement a staff evaluation and development system to improve the
performance of all staff members, select and implement appropriate models for supervision and staff
development, and apply the legal requirements to personnel management.
How:
Our district is now utilizing T-TESS to evaluate teachers and although in my role I do not have the authority
to appraise teachers, I have had ample opportunities to conduct coaching walkthroughs with my
assistant principal where she has walked me through the appraisal tool. As the literacy coach, I supervise
the implementation of evidenced-based practices and develop staff development which aligns to how
teachers are appraised. Additionally, this year I have taken a stronger stance on developing myself and as
a result, I continue to seek professional development opportunities to grow and impact my campus.
What:
I have learned how detailed an administrator must be during T-TESS observations and how critical it is to
document every thing to serve as evidence.
I still have to learn how to conduct walkthroughs and formal observations through the T-TESS system and
will become trained this summer.
 COMPETENCY 7
The principal knows how to apply organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
to ensure an effective learning environment.
How:
This year has been full of changes yet the teachers I support have remained positive and
have met the challenges with tremendous courage. I have implemented data and guided
reading binders which are reviewed monthly to ensure teachers are keeping up with
documenting interventions and student achievement data. I have also applied systems for
managing data which will be utilized as part of response to intervention (RTI) at the school. I
have presented teachers with options and collectively have decided on the best course and
it has proven successful as most of my teachers are bought into the systems and strategies.
What:
I have learned how to problem solve specific issues with teaches, calendars, etc with ease
and keeping the whole picture in mind.
I still have to learn how to be more diplomatic when problem-solving and making decisions.
 COMPETENCY 8
The principal knows how to apply principles of effective leadership and management in
relation to campus budgeting, personnel, resource utilization, financial management,
and technology use.
How:
I fully understand the process by which purchasing orders are attained and filled but
that is minimal in comparison to staffing a school and projecting how much funds to
place in each function code. This year, I managed a $70,000 budget to order leveled
books for the two guided reading libraries.
What:
I have learned how to request a purchase order and how to allocate funds appropriately
and equitably to get the most for our teachers and students.
I still have to learn how the budget process works and would definitely benefit from
shadowing my principal in June to learn the budget process.
 COMPETENCY 9
The principal knows how to apply principles of leadership and management to the
campus physical plant and support system that ensure a safe and effective learning
environment.
How:
I am currently part of the campus emergency team therefore I oversee the fire drills
and all other drills but was not a part of creating the system. I will be seeking out
opportunities to shadow my assistant principal who is the safety lead on our campus.
What:
I have learned how to keep maps of the campus and routes for evacuations. I have also
learned how to proceed in the event of a crisis for my particular campus and district.
I still have to learn how to manage the physical plant, custodial staff, and how to
complete work orders.