LINDA HARRIS

Competency 001

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.

At the beginning of the school year, I was afforded the opportunity to help facilitate the
registration process for the school year. I was able to direct parents in the registration process
and to oversee the various stations in the registration process. The parents received a form which
was to be signed at each of the five stations.
1. Home Access Center (HAC) was located in a computer room. After the parents
signed in and created a password, they entered pertinent contact information.
2. Enrollment Packet to be filled out by parent.
3. Nurse Station to ensure current immunizations.
4. Verification of Residency by providing a current utility bill with the guardians name
and address.
5. Papers were checked to make sure all stations had signed off.
This was the first contact with many of the parents, and it was critical for the principal to
collaborate with the parents creating a positive school climate and gaining support of the parents.
A positive experience in enrolling their child formed a feeling of good will. The enrollment
process was organized, and the majority of parents were able to move effortlessly through the
process.
Competency 002

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.
As a school principal, it is imperative that I am able to communicate and collaborate with
members of the school community which includes students, parents, teachers, administrators and
business partners from all walks of life.
In order to achieve high levels of success, it is imperative to build relationships with students and
this can be accomplished by being genuinely interested in them and attending the events in
which they are involved. Through praise and positive behavior interventions, students will work
diligently and be more successful.
Weekly newsletters posted on the school website and sent to the parents email addresses is
important so that parents can stay abreast of the activities at school. The electronic marquee in
front of the school will be checked daily to keep parents updated as to school activities.
As both a co-teacher in 6
th
, 7
th
and 8
th
grade and a club sponsor, I excel in communicating and
collaborating with many students, parents, teachers, administrators and business partners. As a
co-teacher, one is presented with many opportunities to glean critical teaching techniques from a
plethora of teachers over the years. During the 2013-2014 school year I co-taught in World
Cultures, Texas History and U.S. History with five different teachers. As a co-teacher you learn
to be flexible, since each teacher has their own personality and teaching techniques. This
experience has expanded my view and provided me with the opportunity to be flexible and
realize that there are many ways to teach the TEKS. Through collaboration with my co-teachers,
various lessons are prepared for on-level students and students serviced through an individual
education plan. Teaching special education has required me to think out of the box and to be
creative when preparing modified assignments and tests. This experience has allowed me to
broaden my horizons.

Competency 003

The principal knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical and legal manner.

As a principal you must act with integrity and fairness with students, staff, and businesses.
Principals are in the eye of the public at all times and must act accordingly. You must walk the
walk and talk the talk. There will be many times when a teacher or student confides in you or
you have heard or seen something. Remember that this information must remain confidential
and is not to be repeated to anyone other than specified parties needing to know.
Regarding fairness, i.e., if an excellent student is late to class, that student must go down and get
a tardy slip just like the other students. Another example would be that if a teacher does not have
her grades posted on time at the due date (end of the nine weeks) and she is in violation of the
policy, she should be written up unless there is some extenuating circumstance. The majority of
the teachers try to abide by the policies, but whatever the policies are you must enforce these
policies consistently. Favorite students or teachers cannot receive preferential treatment when
they violate school policies, because it is unfair, unethical and may become a legal matter.
Remember, at the end of the day, when you leave the comfort of your house, as a principal you
are in a fish bowl and you need to conduct yourself accordingly. You work for the public and
must act with integrity, fairness and in an ethical and legal manner.
Competency 004

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
promote student performance.

In the Humble ISD our curriculum is aligned with the TEKS to ensure that the teachers are all
teaching the same TEKS at approximately the same rate. Some of the Planning Learning
Community time is spent on planning lessons and tests that will be rigorous and emphasize high
levels of questioning. The tests are designed by the teachers and then reviewed by the
Instructional Coaches. The tests are designed to ensure that all TEKS are being taught and the
answer documents are coded into eduphoria an on-line software program. When tests are given
the answer documents are scanned through eduphoria, which allows for the results to be posted
immediately so the teacher can ascertain what TEKS the student mastered or need to be retaught.
District Benchmark scores are posted in eduphoria and can be viewed throughout the district.
The Instructional Coaches meet with the principals at least weekly to discuss pertinent data and
other issues relating to the department.
Competency 005

The principal knows how to advocate, nurture, and sustain an instructional program and a
campus culture that are conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.

Continuing education is essential for teachers and a principal must set aside opportunities for the
continued educational growth of the teachers. Mr. McDonald has set an excellent example at
Woodcreek by offering a Leadership Class which is held monthly and designed to educate the
staff on different aspects of administration and move the school forward. Through his direction,
I have been able to receive additional training.
With computer technology moving rapidly, a principal must provide opportunities for training so
teachers can implement new technology into the classroom lessons. This can be accomplished
by scheduling technology training as part of the in-service days. As an example, after I received
training during an in-service day at school, I was then able to utilize the iPads in my classroom
by using Quizlet and the Scan Codes. The students enjoy learning when technology is
incorporated into the lesson.
Mr. McDonald has provided summer opportunities for teachers by requesting volunteers to
attend Capturing Kids Hearts and AVID training. I will have the opportunity to attend a three
day AVID training in San Antonio this summer and bring the knowledge back to our campus to
present to the rest of the staff. By attending the AVID training, not only will I acquire the
knowledge from the workshop, but will form closer relationships with the teachers I work with at
our school.
Providing opportunities for teachers to sign up for additional computer training during the lunch
hour has been successful, because it is always voluntary and lunch is provided. I received
additional training on Kurzweil and eduphoria through lunch time training.
Competency 006

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 for personnel
management.

The principal must conduct staff evaluations using the Walk-Thru technique as aligned by our
district. The principal is observing whether the students are engaged and if they can tell him
what they are learning. The principal will observe if the room is organized and the present date,
objectives, upcoming assignments and tests are posted on the whiteboard. The principal will be
aware if the students have a routine and structure and know what is expected of them both
intellectually and behaviorally. The students all have a planner called an agenda and the
majority of teachers have the warm-up displayed through the overhead projector which the
students are to write daily in their agenda. The principal will notice if the teacher is moving
around the room and using higher level questioning techniques by calling on numerous students.
The observations from the Walk-Thru will be placed in the teachers box later that day and the
teacher has an opportunity to dispute the write up, if she/he feels that it is a negative write up.
I have personally filmed myself teaching and scrutinized the video later to critique myself. This
enables me to improve my own classroom teaching techniques. This technique is used
throughout the school.

Competency 007

The principal knows how to apply organizational, decision making, and problem-solving
skills to ensure an effective learning environment.

Principals must make decisions every day in the area of discipline. You must be able to assess
the situation, determine the level of the infraction of a rule and be consistent in dispensing
punishment. If a critical problem arises at the end of the day, wait until the next day to make a
decision if possible. Also in decision making, look to see how the district rules and remember
the clientele at your particular school. The principal must generally make quick decisions and
work under pressure. Remember that any and all decisions made will be scrutinized by the
students, parents, staff and administration.
This year there were three students unable to attend a field trip because they all had failing
grades from one teacher. After an angry mother arrived, an assistant principal made a decision
that not one but all three of the students would attend the field trip, with the stipulation that the
parents agree and sign that their child would attend tutorials for the rest of the nine week period.
Not everyone is going to be happy with a principals decisions, but all parties should respect and
follow the final decision.
Competency 008

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.

The Humble ISD predicts how many students are going to attend each school and based on that
number allocates the personnel needed. If the number of students is higher, it usually takes six
weeks to receive more personnel and then the classes are leveled out by reassigning the students.
This is a time when parents have to be reassured and meet the new teacher, because they have
already formed a bond with the first teacher.
The teachers submit a list of classroom items needed for the following year and the Instructional
Coach for each department submits the cumulative list to an assistant principal. The items are
reviewed and a decision is made as to what will stay and items to be purchased for the following
year.
The bookkeeper is very experienced and guides everyone in ordering from approved vendors.
She makes sure that all forms are filled out and coded correctly. In my experience in working
with the budget for CSU, our accountant has overseen my financial activities. She is an expert in
making sure everyone adheres to the law and stays within their legal boundaries.
Technology use is critical in teaching environment, and the Technology Personnel has a great
impact on training the staff. Their responsibilities also include making sure the equipment is
working properly, because all teachers depend on their computers and overhead projectors every
day.
Competency 009

The principal knows how to apply principles of leadership and management to the campus
physical plant and support systems to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.

A principal of a middle school must be prepared for any situation that might arise and have a
plan of action. Each room should have a Plan of Action Flip Chart and a diagram of the safety
exit in case of a fire. The fire drills should be practiced on a regular basis as well as the lock
down or stranger in the building drills. The teachers need to be advised as to the safety
procedures for different situations. The equipment of the physical plant needs to be operating
safely in order to have a safe environment for students, faculty and staff. The utilities need to be
operational as well as the fire codes followed, and personnel trained to handle the defibulator.
Whenever an emergency arises, the principal must appear to be calm and have the situation
under control whether it is a medical emergency or a student with a weapon. As a principal in
the case of an emergency, you must act swiftly and decisively in order to keep a safe learning
environment.
Recently I was the Mistress of Ceremony for our first Color Fun Run organized by the PTA.
As the Mistress of Ceremony I was responsible to announce events and oversee that everyone
participating was safe and having fun. Hand-held communication radios were dispensed to key
personnel that were strategically placed along the running track. In case of any medical
emergency, Memorial Hermann was our medical representative at the fun run. The day was
warm and breezy and everyone stayed hydrated and had a grand time. Due to the organization,
preplanning, and perfect weather, the day went smoothly. This day was a total success and there
were no medical emergencies.