Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

Principal Competencies
Competency 001: 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 attended a football game and two volleyball games to show support to the students. It was a good feeling to see them excited to have support at the game. I participated in Open House. I mentored a struggling teacher in a different subject area. I observed a Site-Based Decision Meeting (SBDM) where the

principal used collaborative decision making. I attended an 8 hour Inclusion/Co-teach training to support the co-teach initiative currently being implemented at my school and brought back information to my team. I attended a 7 hour AP/Pre-Ap Seminar held by Rice University to help implement AVID strategies on campus. I serve as a parent advocate at my daughters private school. I have learned that it is imperative for teams to work together for the benefit of the students. My school is in the process of implementing Professional Learning Communities and I have seen the benefits on my team as we work together.

Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

Competency 002: 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. I have attended all vertical math department meetings, as well as lead the seventh grade math meetings. I created a school brochure to showcase the wonderful programs at my school. The school that I work at does not have a PTO/PTA but I have attended all PTO meetings at my daughters school. I have worked collaborately with the Resource math teacher regarding specifics of lesson planning and design. I have also helped her prepare for her PDAS evaluation by modeling the lesson cycle, helping her with the lesson, and examples of what is expected and how to get students actively participating. I have also worked with her and several other math teachers in implementing Think Through Math computer program. I have learned how important communication is to a team. I am a quiet person, but have learned how to effectively communicate with the team to produce excellent results across the board. Competency 003: The principal knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical and legal manner.

Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

I have attended numerous 504 and ARD meetings. I have spearheaded the math fundraiser of popcorn sales, which includes getting a quote from the business, then working with the business manager to get it approved by district and paid with a purchase order. Then once the popcorn was delivered, I separated it and disbursed it to math teachers that were willing to participate, and I am currently in the process of collecting all money. I keep the money in a locked cabinet and once all teachers have turned it in, I will count it several times, and then ask a principal to count it before handing it over to the business manager. I have created a spreadsheet to keep up with all the money. I have attended two school board meetings this current school year, as well as others over the past year. On August 27th, several of the topics discussed included: Acceptance of $423,650 in grant dollars and approval of interlocal agreements with the Harris County Department of Educations CASE program and partnerships; the purchase of one police vehicle to replace a vehicle involved in an accident; an agreement between the district and the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol for a youth prevention specialist to be housed at The Summit (district alternative school); a grant agreement between the district and the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation; as well as

Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

construction at several schools. On September 24th, approximately 200 advanced placement high school scholar students were recognized. Among other things, the district accepted $51,342 in additional grant dollars from the Texas Support for Homeless Education Program McKinney-Vento grant and a construction contract to Drymalla Construction Company for the new proposed Parkview Middle School project. Competency 004: 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 have attended all math district Focus meetings with an emphasis of planning, decision-making, and evaluating current strategies to promote student success. On my own time, I

gathered and analyzed the schools district assessments and compared to the district results. Then I assessed the current strengths and weaknesses in student achievement. Then I made

recommendations to my team for improvement in student performance on standardized tests. On the first district assessment we ranked fourth out of the district and then on the second district assessment we ranked first out of the district. One major improvement made was continuously spiraling the

Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

curriculum in a quick start and applying numerous TEKS into one problem. I read Yeah, but a Salamander Is Not a Fish, by Jim Fay and plan to discuss some of the ideas at the next Safe and Civil Schools team meeting to help deal with chronically disruptive students. This was an easy read book, with only 100 pages and can easily be implemented as a book study. Synopsis of book: Many schools have responded to the pressure of the modern age by increasing the content of the curricula and the rigidity of the student code. Both educators and students feel the pressure. Some become overwhelmed by this pressure. Jim Fay gives you the skills to help you create the relationships and respectful environments that are at the heart of great learning communities. Competency 005: 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. My school has implemented 1:1, where students receive a netbook for the school year. I attend a training every two weeks that provides different examples of technology programs to use in the classroom. I have implemented the technology in the classroom where students are using the computers in class at least three times per week. When a co-worker was sick and out of work for a few days, I created a lesson that was solely on the computer

Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

with videos to instruct students, games to practice the skill, and an independent practice section for the sub to use in class so my co-workers students could stay on track with the curriculum and not lose out because of having a sub for several days. My school has an after school program called Cowboy University, where students can enroll in different classes such as Newsfix, cooking, crafting, science club, etc. I started a Think Through Math program where student attend Monday-Thursday after school from 3:45-4:45 and they work on Think Through Math. I monitor the class and assist students when needed. Approximately 30-35 students ranging from 6th-8th grade attend each day. They are now starting to see the benefits of the program because as topics are being introduced in class, some students are saying that they have seen that topic on Think Through Math and this program is helping them retain information, as well as serve as an aid of spiraling the curriculum. The program offers live instructional support and personalized learning. Students start by taking a placement test, which identifies their strengths and weaknesses and develops a personal learning plan. Students can work on this program anytime of the day, allowing them to receive instruction even if they are absent from school. This

Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

program has been very successful in the Cowboy University program and has the most students enrolled. Competency 006: 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 attended trainings for having a student intern in the classroom, as well as provided a great amount of feedback and observations to the student intern. I designed two surveys regarding safety and school climate for the staff and students that was administered on survey money and then the surveys were uploaded to Survey Monkey to be taken anonymously. The results of the study were then used by the administrators when working on the school improvement plan. My goal is to continue working on this competency and shadow my principal as walk-throughs and observations are conducted. Competency 007: The principal knows how to apply organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to ensure an effective learning environment.

Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

Reviewed TEA guidelines for bilingual/ESL programs and met with ESL Master Clerk to view files, required forms for students and learn the procedure of how the students enter and exit the program. I gathered and analyzed 504 student work samples. I met with principal regarding budget planning process. My goal is to work with my principals and become part of a decision making team. Competency 008: 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 have spent time explaining and encouraging 8th grade teachers in Math and Social Studies how to implement technology into the classroom through the use of Project Share. I have helped two colleagues with district requirements for action research. I have provided constructive feedback to a colleague in a different subject area to help improve the classroom pacing and meeting expectations. I have modeled for new teachers how to input student data into Mizuni as well as helped new teachers with setting up the online

Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

gradebook and submitting grades and conduct for progress reports and report cards. I have also mentored new teachers with contacting parents regarding the progress of students. I am currently serving on the Technology committee at my daughters private school as well as leading the Middle School Task Force at my daughters school to help improve curriculum and increase enrollment at the middle school level. Competency 009: 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. I am the 7th grade team representative for the Schools Safe and Civil Crisis Management Team and have attended the three meetings held this school year. While the team has implemented an effective strategy to keep the traffic flow of students in the hallways to a minimum by implementing a rule that you must stay to the right and keep moving, we are currently working on a plan to keep the cafeteria a safe place during lunch with more staff onsite while teachers have a duty free lunch. Instead of having my duty free lunch, I have chosen to spend my lunches in the cafeteria with the principal to be another set of eyes. I eat in the cafeteria 3 out of 5 times each week.

Principal Competencies Amanda Hathhorn

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I have also observed my principal while he handled discipline referrals.