EDLD 5399 Week 4 REFLECTION

USING REFLECTIVE PRACTICE TO IMPROVE MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Reflection is a form of re-evaluation.   In order to reflect on something, then something (an action) has had to have taken place first.  And, as the old saying goes, for every action there is a reaction.  Basically, what this entails is that every decision I make as a Superintendent will be scrutinized by the educational stakeholders; especially the community.  I must always remember that my decisions are for other people’s children and for professional educator’s careers.  Reflection allows me learn from my experiences.  Without it, I will make educated guesses and continue down a path of commitment, even if that path is the wrong path.  Instead, my commitment will be to implement educated and collaborative decisions while measuring the successes of those decisions through reflection.

On suggestion I will use to improve my reflective skills is to create a “think tank” with other administrators.  For example, I may want to call each director over a specific department to come up with ideas for implementation based on our past experiences and future needs.  Although reflection is good because it can allow us to realize the need for change mid-course, it is also good to come up with strategies that can be studied well in advance.  Having the skills to use reflection for past, present, and future aspects of education will demonstrate to others that prior thought has occurred to a high degree and therefore, mistakes may be minimal.  And as stated before, reflection will also allow me the opportunity to realize mistakes and make necessary adjustments as we proceed.