Clinical Field Experience A: School Culture Interview and Observation

To start this assignment, I thought I would start at the top. I interviewed Mr. Gary

Alexander, Tuscola Community School District 301 Superintendent. I asked him what he

thought was the biggest key to supporting the school's vision and mission in shaping school

culture was and he said, “To have stakeholders a part of coming up with the vision and mission”

[ CITATION Gar20 \l 1033 ]. He believes ownership in the process helps to bring out key areas in

developing the mission and vision. Ownership also helps those people lead by example when the

vision and mission come about. He thinks the biggest key to promote the vision and mission is to

follow it. He will mention it in meetings, speeches to the community, and post it throughout the

district and buildings. It is important to keep it alive after it has been developed. It is also

important to use the words in the vision and mission statements as a part of the school day. 

Mandy Hanner is the next person I interviewed. She does her best to make all students

feel safe at school. She greets all students as they come down the hall. She also greets the

students coming into her classrooms. In her business classes, she stays current in her lessons by

researching new information to add to her classroom books. Problem solving is a big part of her

classes. She includes technology any chance she gets, because she believes all students should

have technology. Mrs. Hanner said, “Technology is not going away!” [ CITATION Man20 \l 1033 ]

Mrs. Hanner works with fellow teachers on an MTSS Team to help students and make their

learning the best it can be.

Clinical Field Experience A: School Culture Interview and Observation Page 1

 Mrs. Hanner and I are members of the MTSS Team. We both work hard to make sure all

students get equal levels. Students that need a little more help, we set up mentors, study hall

help, and extra help with Math and English. Our principal is not involved much in our MTSS

Meetings. As a principal, I want to be a part of the MTSS Team. With the principals help, we

could possibly do more with his connections in the community. Standard 1b would be a good

example of this idea. Collaborating with teachers and community members to help our students.

We would use data and develop and promote a vision for the school. I hope to lead an MTSS

Team with the dedication of the teachers in our school and a dedicated principal like I will be.

Clinical Field Experience A: School Culture Interview and Observation Page 2

 Bibliography

Alexander, G. (2020, 08 24). Superintendent. (J. Holmes, Interviewer)

Board Policy Manual. (2019, 08 26). Retrieved from Tuscola CUSD #301:

http://www.tuscola.k12.il.us/index.php?

option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=665&Itemid=59

Hanner, M. (2020, 08 24). Business Teacher. (J. Holmes, Interviewer)

Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. (2015). Retrieved from National Board Policy

Board for Educational Administration: http://www.npbea.org/wp-

content/uploads/2017/06/Professional-Standards-for-Educational-Leaders_2015.pdf

Clinical Field Experience A: School Culture Interview and Observation Page 3