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Running head: DIRECT LOG WEEK NINE

Lindsay Gigous
DIRECT Log Week Nine
Drexel University
EDUC 830: Superintendent Internship: Human Resource Development
May 29, 2016

Describe
One activity that I have been working on throughout this semester is conducting a
walkthrough of a building and a sit down meeting with each of the building principals. My
mentor has helped me to design questions to ask each principal that relate to instruction,
operations, management styles, and stress management. During these meetings, I take notes, but
after meeting with all of them, I have been working on comparing their answers using a
leadership style comparison matrix that has allowed me to see what strategies and ideas they all
have in common. This has allowed me to really reflect on what others are practicing, and I hope
to then take this and use it to develop my own leadership style. I have been focusing on strategies
that they use for all aspects of management, such as keeping morale up, personalizing
professional development, and evaluating staff. I plan to continue these discussions with them in
future semesters, as I will be able to then develop my leadership style based on what I have
evaluated that works most effectively.
Identify
The ISLLC standard that I feel is most relevant to this situation is Standard 1: A school
administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of every student by facilitating
the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is
shared and supported by all stakeholders. The Drexel competencies that this opportunity allowed
me to develop was leadership, as developing my leadership style is something that I have
analyzed as a personal growth goal in my time during this internship.
Reflect

I believe I have been incredibly honest with myself throughout my internship, knowing
when I do not have the knowledge or experience that others have. My lack of administrative
experience has led me on a path to seek out these opportunities, despite not officially holding the
position. In addition to meeting with building principals, which my mentor and I determined to
be something that would help me to develop a leadership style, I have also been viewing
webinars all semester specifically geared towards leadership, as well as taking the opportunities
presented to me to attend advisory board meetings and to public relations knowledge became
evident to me earlier in the semester, and I have taken steps to ensure that I educate myself on
this topic, as I realize we do not spend any semester of the internship solely focused on it. Much
of what we have talked about has to do with board relations this semester, and I have seen that
play out in a unique way this semester with the board at New Castle County Vocational Technical
School District. Comparing all of their styles has allowed me to really take what has worked for
them and compare it to the literature that I have reviewed and determine my own future path as
far as style.
Evaluate & Connect
In looking at the felt need that existed of my lack of experience with management, I took
the steps necessary in order to gain the knowledge, utilizing my resources effectively within this
internship situation by seeking out an opportunity to examine and compare various management
styles. I have been very fortunate to have a mentor who has asked her entire staff to open up time
for me to question them, perform walkthroughs with me, as well as allow me to examine their
practices. Comparing all of these leaders has been very valuable for me but also allows me to
look at the district from a more critical perspective. The district is planning to go more towards a
personalized professional development plan, with more of an approach on blended learning as

well, so this has allowed me to communicate the needs of the building principals in their own
learning with the superintendent. This semester in EDUC 820: School Superintendency, we have
been focusing on professional development of staff, and I have gained some great insight into
how each of these buildings are working to make sure that they are meeting the needs of their
staff members. I in turn will take this knowledge and connections into my own leadership
position, knowing that my strength is instruction. By utilizing my strength of instruction and
relating it to what I know about relationship based adult learning, I will be able to develop a style
for professional development individualization as well.
Toward New Actions
My next steps in this situation include continuing to seek out leadership opportunities. I
plan to meet with all building principals again in the fall when they return for the school year in
order to seek more guidance related to the learning that I do over the summer specifically geared
towards leadership. I am also hoping to take more of a leadership role in my current position, as I
have volunteered to work on our Student Learning Outcomes Assessment as the coordinator who
will oversee the implementation of the assessments this year. I am hoping that this opportunity
gives me the ability to be able to gain some experience with leading others in a professional
capacity of a role of authority other than just through collaborative experiences, which is what I
feel I have experienced up until this point. I look forward to the chance to be able to do this and
develop my own leadership style, reflecting on what I have learned from all of these district
leaders.

Hours Log

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Week 9:
5/23/16- (3 hours)
Board Meeting
5/24/16- (4 hours)
Walkthrough of St. Georges & Meeting with Building Principal
Weekly meeting with mentor
5/25/16- (5.5 hours)
Walkthrough of Delcastle & Meeting with Building Principal
Meeting with District Facilities Manager
Meeting with Human Resources Director
Completed building comparison matrix
5/26/16-(2 hours)
Completed discussion board
Completed readings for class
5/27/16- (3 hours)
Completed DIRECT log
Portfolio formatting
Total Hours Completed This Week: 17.5
Total Hours Completed This Semester: 99/100
Total Hours For Internships: 201.5

Projected Week 10:

(2 hours)
Completed discussion board
Completed readings for class

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(1 hour)
Reflection of Goal Sheet and Growth
Total Hours Completed This Week: 3
Total Hours Completed This Semester: 101/100
Total Hours For Internships: 204.5