EDLD 5399 Week Four Assignment

            Reflecting on my experiences simply means that I review things that I have studied and learned and realizing how those experiences made me a better person or enabled me to be better in doing my work.  It is extremely important to assess what I have learned and apply some value to it.  Any good leader has to practice reflection on a daily basis.  Without reflection, it is easy to make a decision in haste that could result in disaster for the individual and those affected by the decision.  Reflection is a tool that I had practiced in decision-making, but I did not recognize its importance until I was forced to take a closer look at what it involved. 

John Dewey wrote in Experience and Education (New York: Macmillan, 1938) that reflective thinking leads educators to act in a “deliberate and intentional fashion” rather than in a “blind and impulsive” manner.  As I reflect over the course of this superintendent’s certification program, I have realized that I was not as proficient in areas I previously thought I was.  There were so many learning experiences where I gathered valuable information.   These are experiences that I would not trade anything for.  I feel that I am a better decision-maker because I have had the opportunity to work through problems I never knew existed. 

Reflection, in my opinion, is like performing a self-assessment on my experiences and incorporating what I have learned into my professional practices.  One exercise that I found thought provoking and gained valuable information from was reviewing contracts and termination policies.  As director of special education this information will used time and time again.  I know that I can make an informed decision regarding employment issues because of what I learned. 

Another activity that I was thoroughly stimulated by was serving on the district’s PBMAS Team.  We had to disaggregate test scores, attendance, discipline and several of the sub-groups such as special education and bilingual education.  The ultimate purpose of evaluating this information and disaggregating every strand of information was to develop a Continuous Improvement Plan to improve the deficits that were observed.  This experience has provided invaluable information that will prove useful to a superintendent or any other district leadership position.

The coursework that I found most challenging was EDLD 5342. I love math, but not having any prior experience with district finances intimidated me. Having to calculate different funding sources for the first time allowed me to develop a better understanding of how local funds are generated.  

I didn’t meet with my superintendent often, but I did have the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with my Deputy Superintendent.  I feel that I gained so much from these conferences.  Not only did he share his opinions with me on several issues, he allowed me to voice my opinions as well.

John Dewey maintained that reflection is an important aspect of learning from experience.  I agree with this statement.  If we do not learn from our experiences, and use these experiences as opportunities for growth, I believe our existence is in vain.  I plan to utilize the reflection process in my professional and private lives.  Utilizing this process will allow me to make conscious choices about hot to make a difference.