Clinical Field Experience E: Strategic Leadership And Management Functions In Practice
Allocate at least 2 hours in the field to support this field experience.
For this assignment, collaboratively discuss with your principal mentor and at least one other individual at the district or community level what strategies are utilized in obtaining and making the best use of the resources available to the school. This includes human resources, items the school budget pays for, and items that are donated.
Include the following in your discussions:
Strategies that school administrators can use to maintain a presence in the community to understand its strengths and needs, develop productive relationships, and engage community resources for the school.
The ethical responsibilities of school administrators in stewarding school resources, being transparent with school resources, and aligning the use of school resources to the schools’ mission and vision.
If possible, participate in a meeting that involves collaborating with the community to leverage resources for the benefit of the students and families your school serves.
Use any remaining field experience hours to assist the principal mentor and, provided permission, seek opportunities to observe and/or assist the principal mentor.
Write a 250-500 word reflection on your experiences. Incorporate PSEL Standards 2 and 8 into your reflection and describe how you will apply what you have learned to your future professional practice.
Sample Solution
During my time in the field, I was able to gain a better understanding of how district and community resources are utilized within our school. By meeting with the principal mentor, another individual at the district or community level, as well as participating in a meeting that involved collaborating with the community to leverage resources for students and families, I was able to grasp an appreciation for how obtaining and making use of these resources can be incredibly beneficial for schools.
I learned some strategies that school administrators can use to maintain presence in their communities: maintaining active communication with relevant stakeholders such as parents and local business owners; utilizing surveys/gathering feedback from parents on what they need most from their school; having open forums/listening sessions where members of the community have an opportunity to discuss any issues related to the school; setting up meetings with local representatives or organizations; organizing volunteers from within your district who may be willing to contribute back-to-school supplies, host events or provide other support services; inviting members of the media when there is a significant achievement by students or staff. All these strategies help foster relationships between different people within a school's particular area.
I also gained an understanding about ethical responsibilities when it comes to stewarding school resources. This includes being transparent about where funds come from and how they are allocated, being aware of how laws pertaining to taxes apply (depending on geographic location) and making sure all activities are aligned towards accomplishing the mission/vision set out by the school's administration team. Overall, gaining this knowledge helps me ensure that I will be using resources responsibly throughout my professional practice going forward.
This experience has allowed me to reflect upon PSEL standards 2 (the ethical practice of education leadership) and 8 (collaboration). Through engaging in conversations around strategy development related to obtaining and using various types of resources available both internally at our schools but also externally through partnerships formed at higher levels such as districts or communities, I was able understand more deeply different aspects that must be taken into account when formulating plans for resource allocation practices which requires collaboration across individuals within multiple contexts - including those outside educational institutions - if successful outcomes are expected over time. Moving forward, this experience has given me insight into what it means not only ethically allocate said resources but also collaborate effectively with others so positive change can occur through shared responsibility among stakeholder groups.