A PERSONAL REFLECTION ON THE

TEXAS
PRINCIPAL COMPETENCIES

B o b b i e J o B l a c k w e l l - H o w ar d
U S T - H IS D M BA E C o h o rt 2
A d m i n i s t r a t i v e In t e r n s h i p I I ( E D U C 6 3 31 )
D r . V i r g i n i a L ei k er
D e c em b er 2 0 1 5

Competency 01: 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.

I gained experience in this competency during both internship

semesters. While a testing coordinator at the high school level,
I was able to develop and support academic interventions aimed
at helping seniors at risk of not graduating due to failing one or
more STAAR End-of-Course assessments. As a principal intern
on a middle school campus, I designed and implemented a
parent and community involvement program with a focus on
soliciting support from all stakeholders (parents, teachers,
administrators, and community members) to help students
attain academic success.
To further expand my experiences and strengths in this
competency, I will need to seek a defined leadership role as an
instructional
specialist,
magnet
coordinator,
or
assistant
principal.
Doing so will allow me the opportunity to have a
greater impact on campus culture.

Competency 02: 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.

During Internship I, I was able to gain experience in this

competency
by
developing
and
leading
numerous
professional development sessions.
My project during
Internship II allowed me to expand on this competency in
that I collaborated with teachers, administrators and
parents to provide seminars aimed at meeting the diverse
needs
of
the
entire
school
community.
All
of
these
experiences required me to utilize my strong communication
and team building skills.
Although I feel like this competency reflects one of my
stronger areas of leadership, I feel as if I need to take on a
more defined leadership role, such as assistant principal, in
order to further grow my capacity and have a more
widespread impact on student success.

Competency 03: The principal knows how to act with integrity,

fairness, and in an ethical and legal manner.

I believe this is one of my strongest assets in that I practice the

tenets of this competency in all that I do, whether in the
capacity of a teacher or a principal intern. When coordinating
projects,
participating/leading
meetings,
or
otherwise
performing my duties, I am cognizant of the needs and feelings
of others while ensuring that all ethical and legal components
of policy are upheld. Above all else, I am an advocate for my
students first as student success is always my first concern.
Although I am strong in this competency, I do need more
exposure with the implementation of policy and procedure as it
relates to other areas of campus leadership, such as budgeting
and teacher appraisal and development. The only way to attain
this experience will be through a more defined leadership role,
such as assistant principal or teacher specialist.

Competency 04: 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.

I feel this is one of my weaker areas as it relates to actual

campus leadership.
As a teacher, I am versed in utilizing
data
to
design
and
implement
plans
for
enhancing
instruction and learning. Moreover, Internship II has
provided me with a great deal of exposure to how effective
leaders utilize data to design and implement strategic plans
for student growth. However, most of these experiences have
been from the perspective of an observer.
To grow in this competency, I will need to assume a role that
allows me to be an active participant in the process of
designing and implementing curricula and strategic plans
campus-wide. The only way to attain this experience will be
through a more defined leadership role, such as assistant
principal or teacher specialist.

Competency 05: 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.

Both internship semesters have provided me with experience in

this competency, although limited in scope. During Internship
I, I served as a mentor/coach for a first year teacher which
allowed me to work on components of both instruction and
campus culture. Although I have not been placed in the role of
official mentor during Internship II, I have been given
numerous opportunities to model instruction and support other
teachers in areas of needed growth.
To grow in this competency, I need to expand the scope of my
exposure.
I definitely need more experience in the critical
components of this competency, including but not limited to
analyzing
instructional
needs
and
effectively
allocating
resources campus-wide. Becoming a teacher specialist or
assistant principal will afford me the opportunity to grow in
this area.

Competency 06: 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.

I would classify this as one of my weakest areas of competency

in that I have had very limited exposure to the implementation
of the staff evaluation and development system.
During the
first internship semester, I was responsible for providing staff
development training sessions, but I received no experience in
actually appraising and designing official models for growing
teachers. During the second internship semester, I have been
provided several opportunities to practice observation and
feedback skills but have had little exposure to formally
appraising or coaching staff.
Moving forward, I know I must attain experience in this
competency to be an effective leader. I believe the best plan for
me is to seek a teacher specialist role under a strong,
supportive leader, in which I would be responsible for coaching
and appraising a small number of teachers.

Competency 07: The principal knows how to apply organizational, decisionmaking, and problem-solving skills to ensure an effective learning
environment.

As a teacher, I feel as if I possess the tenets of this competency.

However, as a prospective leader, I know I have a significant
amount of growing to do.
My experiences during the second
semester internship have provided me with exposure to using
data to drive instructional decisions and allocate resources
campus-wide. I have also gained a broader insight into assessing
problem areas and then applying the most appropriate problem
solving skills to impact student achievement.
Moving forward, I know I must attain real world experience
implementing the facets of this competency to be an effective
leader. I will only be able to gain the exposure and experience I
need by assuming a leadership role. However, as I consider what
that looks like for me, I know that starting out small is probably
my best option.
Becoming a department chair or teacher
specialist would be the most effective course of action for me.

Competency 08: 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.

I am definitely the weakest in this competency, in that I

have had virtually no experience in budgeting, personnel
and resource utilization, or financial management. During
Internship II, I have been exposed to budgeting and
resource allocation meetings, but I would not say that this
limited experience qualifies me to perform the components
of this competency at a leadership level.
To gain experience and expertise in this competency, I will
need to take on a leadership role, such as teacher specialist
or assistant principal, that requires me to be responsible
for the components found therein.

Competency 09: 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 competency represents another of my weak areas.

Whereas I have been in roles that have required me to apply
the principles of leadership to various campus support
systems such as discipline, I have not been directly
responsible for the campus physical plant or building.
To gain experience and expertise in this competency, I
foresee taking on some of these responsibilities in whatever
leadership role I assume in the future.