Veronica L.

Montemayor
Competency Reflection
University of St. Thomas
Dr. Eduardo Torres
EDUC 6331 Administrative Internship II
Spring 2017
 DOMAIN I: School Community Leadership
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
educational community.

Over the course of the semester, I have been a part of many leadership
positions. This semester I had the privilege of being the PTA vice president,
National Elementary Honor Society Sponsor, Relay for Life Team Captain, New
Teacher Head Mentor, and a member of the Campus Planning Advisory
Committee (CPAC). I have learned to always stay positive in every decision-
making situation and to always keep the students first priority. These
opportunities have shown me how important it is to be transparent to staff
members, students, parents, and community members. Establishing these
positive relationships will ultimately lead to a successful campus with an
effective climate and culture. I still need to learn how to make decisions based
on data more effectively. I believe I can learn this best by additional experience
and working closer with my administrators.
 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 the Relay for Life Team Captain, I have reached out to several businesses in
the community in order to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. This
year, Woodland Acres Elementary held Spirit Night at a new Chick-fil-A location
near the campus. In order to make this event successful, I used various forms of
communication including sending home flyers with all students, emailing staff
members, and sending reminders through Remind 101. During Spirit Nights, we
were able to communicate with parents off campus and build better relationships.
I have learned communication is one of the key components to being a successful
administrator. In this competency, I still need to learn how to communicate
effectively with all individuals, including those who might not favor me.
Fortunately, I have a good relationship with all of my colleagues. I would like the
experience of how to address difficult individuals successfully, in order to be an
effective administrator.
 COMPETENCY 003: The principal knows how to act with integrity,
fairness and in an ethical and legal manner.

This year, my students are responsible for passing 3 state assessments. In order to ensure
success for every student, I have met periodically with several committees concerning the
students I serve. I have had experience on the 504 committee, Language Proficiency
Assessment Committee(LPAC), and the Response to Intervention(RTI) committee. I also sat in
on different grade level meetings to gain additional knowledge concerning different grade
levels. These committees are in place to ensure the appropriate steps are taken to level the
playing field for all students. As educators, one must learn the importance of documentation
and the ethical and legal manners involved. Documentation ensures the fairness and legal
manners in education. A principal must ensure all decisions for all students are made with the
students best interest in mind. This semester, I have also assisted with applying morning duty
procedures and policies. I have demonstrated how important it is to arrive to morning duty on
time and actively monitor students in their designated areas. This is my 4 th year as an educator
and as a future administrator, I still need to learn how to walk the talk as a professional
effectively. I believe this is significant because as a school leader, all individuals seek principals
for fairness and equality.
 Domain II: Instructional Leadership
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 measure student performance.
An administrator should ensure teachers are aligning the curriculum and instruction
with appropriate assessments. These assessments may include teacher-made
assessments, assessments from resources provided by the district and etc. As educators,
we are committed to becoming lifelong learners who are constantly implementing new
strategies and techniques. I had the opportunity to attend Assistant Principal (AP)
meetings with my AP and assist with the new language arts textbook adoption our school
district will begin next school. I had the privilege of working alongside other
administrators and gaining additional language arts knowledge from other school
leaders. During the meetings, we also discussed how teachers can assess student
learning without worksheets, because the new textbook adoption resources does not
come with any premade worksheets. I still need to learn how to ensure all district
programs and campus programs are coordinated appropriately. I believe this can be
acquired with additional experience in grade levels I have not taught.
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.

An administrator must nurture and sustain an instructional program. An

administrator must continue to be positive supporters in the education field.
This school year, kinder through second grade began piloting the new
language arts curriculum, which is scheduled to be fully implemented next
school year. I have witnessed and observed my principal and assistant
principals be flexible and supportive during this process. The district has
provided all resources and materials needed to make this implementation
successful. The principals did their best to ensure the teachers were
providing the students with effective assessments and opportunities to learn
the new curriculum successfully. I still need to learn how to be a better
advocate for a variety of instructional programs at our campus.
 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.

As a New Teacher head mentor, I was able to provide a variety of data to the new
teachers and serve as a model of various instructional strategies. Every 9 weeks, I
meet with the new teachers and address any concerns the administrators may have.
During the meetings, we also discuss any questions the new teachers may have. My
administrators have also asked me to advise the new teachers in different situations
such as classroom management, effective parent communication, and teaching
reflections. Another responsibility I had as the new teacher mentor was encouraging
the new teachers to attend additional professional development, which target an
area they are struggling with. I also attended meetings and gatherings with them to
build a stronger more effective relationship. In this competency, I need to learn how
to ensure my future staff members evaluations are supportive situations and are not
presented to be negative.
 COMPETENCY 007: The principal knows how to apply organizational,
decision-making and problem-solving skills to ensure an effective
learning environment.

This year, I became the official sponsor of our National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS).
First, I met with the principal to create guidelines and requirements for the organization. Once
the guidelines and responsibilities were established, I met with the schools PEMIS clerk to run
a report of students who have an 85 or higher in all subjects and has Es in all subjects. The
students who qualified received a student/parent requirement agreement and an induction
ceremony permission slip. As soon as candidates were selected, I began working collaboratively
with the principal and principal's secretary on arranging a date for the induction ceremony. I
held a NEHS meeting with candidates and sent an email to teachers and staff regarding the
NEHS Induction Ceremony. One day before the induction ceremony, I organized an Induction
Ceremony practice and worked with our school librarian on rearranging the library to
accommodate our guest. The NEHS Induction Ceremony was held on February 28, 2017 from 4
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and it was my responsibility to ensure all designated teachers, parents, and
students were invited. I still need to learn how to sustain the mentality of not giving up, even
when situations get rough. I believe this is still a learning process in my personal life and
professional life I need to accomplish before becoming an effective administrator.
 Domain III: Administrative Leadership
COMPETENCY 008: The principal knows ho to apply principles of
effective leadership and management in relation to campus budgeting,
personnel, resource utilization, financial management and technology
use.

I have gained a better understanding about the campus budget. The budget is a
major responsibility of the principal and he/she must understand how to effectively
allocate the funds in a way which is useful for the students. An administrator could
never make a wrong decision if he/she keeps the students first priority. As the RFL
Team Captain, I have became very familiar with district policies on handling money
and documenting funds. RFL has raised over $2,500 to donate to the American
Cancer Society and it is important to ensure all funds are accounted for. I have also
learned new terminology which will assist me when individuals are speaking to me
regarding the campus budget. In this area, I have also learned how collaborating
as a whole would benefit all stakeholders in the end. I still need to learn how
principals organize and allocate the school budget at the very beginning of the
school year. Our campus budget is determined a school year in advance.

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.

This semester, our campus practiced many emergency procedures and drills to better
prepare for an emergency. I observed the duties of administrators emergency situations
and the role they play during these circumstances. During the drills, administrators
communicated with head office personnel and campus leaders through walkie talkies. They
also communicate through cellphones, if necessary. After every drill, our administrators
communicate with the staff members through email on what went well and what needs to
be addressed, if applicable. As a school leader, I have also acquired how important it is to
reflect on situations such as a hostage situation drill or a lockout drill. As a fourth-year
teacher attending graduate school, I was able to better understand why certain decisions
are made. It was very effective noting both sides of the spectrum. Overall, I can say I have
acquired a lot of worthy information I will be able to implement as an administrator. I still
need to learn what exactly school leaders look for on school buildings and outdoor
playgrounds to ensure the school is safe. Before I become an administrator, I would like to
take a campus walk around our school to survey the property.
 Reference

Wilmore, E. (2013).Passing the Principal TExES Exam:

Keys to certification & school Leadership.(2nd ed.).
Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press.