TILS Standard C

3: Provides and engages in data-informed, differentiated professional learning

opportunities for educators, aligned with the Tennessee Standards for Professional
Learning

Dalewood Middle School Principal/Assistant Principal Observation

In April of 2015, I went to Dalewood Middle School to shadow the literacy coach and
administration. I spent half of the day with the literacy coach and the other half of the day with
the principal and assistant principal. I selected Dalewood because it is an inner city school that is
currently on the iZone list, but is making a lot of progress in math and literacy. It is my hope to
return to the urban school setting when I make the transition into a leadership position.
What Went Well
The day I shadowed administration was a very eventful day! There was a fight on the bus,
2 suspensions, a meeting with a parent whose student was in an alternative learning program
because she had been suspended several times, and a meeting with the director of technology
about a partnership with another middle school. I spent the 1st half of my administrator
observation with the assistant principal and she handles most of the discipline. I sat in on the
meetings she had with the student who were involved in the fight on the bus. The 2 students
involved were suspended. Both of their parents were contacted and one got to the school
immediately. The assistant principal asked the parent if I could sit in on their meeting and she
agreed. While talking to the parent about the suspension, the AP informed the parent that she
would have to bring him to school for 2 hours in the morning Monday-Wednesday of his
suspension week so he could take TCAP. The mother was in tears as she expressed that she could
not bring him to school or pick him up because she just started a new job and the only way he
could get to school was if he rode the bus, part of his suspension included not riding the bus. The
assistant principal and the parent discussed alternative options but since this was not the students
first time being suspended from the bus she did not give him any mercy in that area. After that
meeting I was able to sit in a meeting with a parent of a student who was completing an online
learning program at home because she had been repeatedly suspended. They discussed the
students plan to take TCAP and her assignments for the rest of the year. After those meetings, I
spent the rest of the day with the principal. I attended an hour long meeting with him, the
assistant principal, and Hamilton Countys director of technology. After that he and I sat down
and I was able to ask him questions about his teaching and administrative career, how hes been
able to lead his school in a positive direction the last 3 years. I gained a lot of insight on the
importance of finding, selecting and keeping good teachers. He talked about his strategy for
change and how difficult it was in the beginning. He shared some of his ideas for the upcoming
school year and we finished the day doing classroom walk throughs. He said that one thing that

they were currently working on was maintaining time on task. One problem is said he runs into is
that teachers arent teaching during the last 20-30 minutes of the day. He said that these end of
the day walk throughs have motivated teachers to continue teaching.

What Did Not

I had several questions to ask the assistant principal about curriculum and discipline, but
there were so many things that happened that afternoon that I did not get a chance to interview
her. I really enjoyed being included in those meetings and I saw how hours can fly by like
minutes in the life of an administrator, but I wouldve loved to pick her brain about how she
builds relationships with students and parents in such a difficult environment, what programs
they had in place to prevent high numbers of suspensions, and what role does she play when it
comes to curriculum and instruction. I considered emailing her my questions later on, but figured
she already had a lot on her plate. I would like to go back and spend more time with her this
coming school year.
Given the chance to do it again, what would you do differently?
I would email my questions to her before the date of my visit. That way, if she had some
down time she could answer them and send them back to me or if we found a few minutes during
the observation we could discuss those questions. I couldve also sent her questions after my
observation as well and not just assumed that she didnt have time. I know that TCAP was
coming up and behavior problems usually increase towards the end of the year, but there was still
a chance that she would be able to respond to my email. As a future leader, I have to work
towards building relationships with those who are already in leadership positions. For me, that
means asking questions, gaining insight and information, and learning everything I can from
those who already have experience. One important thing Ive learned in this program is that
everyone needs a mentor, no matter how high of a position you are in. I believe that the assistant
principal at Dalewood Middle would be a great mentor for me. Not only is she an excellent and
experienced administrator, she was my high school chemistry teacher, so we already have a
positive relationship. I have to make sure that I am initiating and maintaining open lines of
communication in order to become more knowledgeable on the field in which I hope to move
into soon.