Case Study #4

ISLLC #4 A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.

Collaborating for an Effective School

Questions:

How can an administrator promote the success of all students by collaborating with families, communities and others to most effectively mobilize community resources?

How does the administrator maintain a public relations program conducive to student learning and betterment of school facilities?

There are many traits that a good leader must possess, first and foremost a thorough understanding of student learning and the ability to promote a good relationship with community leaders and other organizations and business entities within the area. Those techniques if carried out well will promote a more efficient learning community and will enhance the school culture. Collaboration starts with a vision and requires a dedication to community as well as school. A good leader becomes affiliated with many civic organizations and develops a relationship with as many businesses as possible. A good leader also encourages staff members to do the same. As many members of the staff as possible should be actively involved in the process and they must all feel that their input is important. The principal at Dogwood Road Elementary has strong relationships throughout the community. She shares the high standards throughout the community and supports the involvement of all school staff.

The principal of Dogwood Road Elementary assures that the school council meets monthly and always calls each member to assure that it is successful. This council endeavors to strengthen and improve the learning environment of the school.

The principal encourages all staff to share pictures and information with all local newspapers. She attempts to have them include as many students as possible in these press releases. When this is done she posts all news regarding the students in the Media Center bulletin board for all students to see. She has secured partners in education in education for our students. An exemplary leader, she has enlisted a local bank to furnish all awards. They pay for the programs as well as trophies, medals and certificates. Staff members from the bank always participate in special events. For example, during Thanksgiving and Christmas, staff members of the bank are furnished with a breakfast, as are the parents. In tern, the kindergartners from our school decorate the bank. Santa Claus travels from the North Pole to help the kindergartners decorate the bank.

Realizing how important science is to student achievement, our principal has secured funds from a local factory to equip a state-of-the-art science lab. We at the school have recognized their help at a PTSO meeting and presented the plant manager with a certificate indicating our gratitude. They are also recognized at a plaque in the Science Lab. Several of the students have written letters to the plant managers expressing their gratitude.

Through the collaborative efforts of the administration, faculty and the PTSO, a playground has been established and equipment furnished. The principal who had meetings during the summer with staff and parents, encouraging them to contact businesses with which they were affiliated, spearheaded this. Many teachers and parents secured donations. A beautification committee was also established to solve the problems with the aesthetic effect of the school. Additionally, parents and faculty members alike donated their time installing a drainage system for the playground and planting bushes as an additional decorative effect for the school. The principal was an active participant in all parts of this endeavor and has had high visibility, not only within the school community, but also within the community in general.

The Dogwood Road Elementary School has a Perfectly Polished Program for all fourth grade students. Through the joint efforts of the principal, the faculty and the PTSO, this program has been an astounding success in its first year. The PTSO paid for half of this program. Teachers and staff have volunteered their time during the events held by this group and the principal appears genuinely sincere when she compliments and thanks everyone, and she always displays a true commitment to all of the extra-curricular activities of the school. She has a clear understanding of the process one must go through to achieve the vision of a community friendly school environment. . Communication skills are the forte of the principal and this works well for her in her leadership role and her involvement in community activities that benefit the Dogwood Road Elementary School as a whole.

I feel that this case study ranges from medium to high proficient meaning that it is done with clear evidence to back up the thoughts related about the school and the principal. Clear and specific evidence was presented in several instances. Many times specific criteria was given to describe the accomplishments of the principal. The questions have been answered in detail and appropriate examples were given. All evidence presented was very specific and credible. I feel that I thought this out well detailing the principal’s performance and dedication to her school. Even though in the interest of being succinct I did not include some components on the list of ISLLC Standards, I did give many examples that would describe an accomplished principal.

Clearly the principal described understands the processes involved in developing and implementing a plan for community involvement as evidenced by all things described in this paper. Her excellent abilities in public relations have proven many times to be an asset to the school as evidenced by the programs she has initiated to support community involvement. She always assumes a lead role through the entire process and all persons around her can tell that she believes in and is committed to continuous school improvement. Whenever it is determined that a program needs to be established, she carefully listens to the views of all concerned and then historically makes a good decision as to the best way to implement it. She is always willing to do the work required to make Dogwood Road Elementary School as good as it can be. Another of the principal’s strong points is her ability to constantly model her beliefs in the vision of the school, thus conveying to all her genuine commitment to Dogwood Road Elementary School. She represents the school extremely well in the community as a whole and whenever possible lets everyone know about the vision and mission of the school.