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WELCOME

Welcome to my Educational Leadership e-Portfolio. My name is Cynthia (Cindy) Warren and I currently am the Admin Intern/Theatre Arts Department Chair/Theatre Manager/Technical Director for the Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Performing Arts and Technology located in Petersburg, VA. I am a career switcher, coming from the entertainment industry and have now been teaching for the past 16 years.  I earned my Master of Fine Arts with a focus on Pedagogy and Technical Direction in 2019 from Virginia Commonwealth University. I have a passion for education and leadership which led me to the Educational Leadership Program at Longwood University. This e-Portfolio is a result of my studies and internship experiences. I am looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as well as the challenges that a leader in education will face. I am grateful to share my journey with you.

ABOUT
Professional Education Leadership Activities

During the three semester Education Leadership Program at Longwood University, I was able to log over 320 Internship hours.  Internship hours were spread over five categories - Elementary, Middle, High, Central Office, and Community. During this time I was afforded opportunities to experience the following:

  • Assisting with the morning student drop-off and end of day school bus duty

  • Experienced discipline problems and how they were managed

  • Assisted with delivering/Picking up lunch carts to classroom (COVID-19 Protocol)

  • Assisted the School Counselor with preparing certificates for Awards Ceremony

  • Assisted with setting up for 5th Grade promotion ceremony

  • Assisted with checking off end of the school records from teachers

  • Assisted with preparing the end of school mailing which included final report cards

  • Experienced the process of grouping for 22-23 school year

  • Joined the Assistant Principal and Guidance Counselor in the Virginia IEP Training

  • Assisted the Guidance Counselor with sorting and organizing the Development of Student Academic & Career Plans

  • Looked at and discussed the "Major Clarity" program

  • Assisted the Guidance Counselor with sorting and organizing Cumulative folders

Professional Commendations

"Thank you for using your gifts & talents to serve the students and staff at ARGS. You, and all that you do, are very much appreciated."
~ ARGS ~
 

"Thank you so much for giving 110% to everything because you've shown me what it's like to be a strong woman & leader. I cannot thank you enough for that!"
~ Elle L. (former student) ~
 

"I truly can't imagine anyone better to glue this department together. You make this school work and I wish I could pool 3 salaries together for you - so you'd receive what you deserve. Thank you for making it easy to work here and so difficult to leave. I feel fortunate that I got to learn from you."

~ Addie Barnhart (former theatre arts teacher) ~
 

"Thank you so much for all that you do. Not just for me, but for the entire school. Nothing would happen in this school if you weren't there pulling the boat along. You put so much hard work into everything you do and it has inspired me so much to put 110% into everything I do."

~ Kelly H. (former student) ~

LEADERSHIP
Philosophy of Education
Educational Leadership Philosophy
Development of School Vision/Mission
Setting School Goals and Strategies for Sustaining School Improvement
Local, State, and National Trends Affecting Education
Philosophy of Education

Education should be free and equitable for all students, including the resources needed to help them succeed. The learning environment should be safe, welcoming, and encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and growth. (Differentiated Instruction – education is not a one size fits all) Not all students learn the same and therefore educators should be able to recognize and adapt how they teach to reach students where they are. As educators, we prepare and help students become a better version of themselves and prepare them to be active members of society – they are our future after all.

Educational Leadership Philosophy

A leader in education is only as good as those he/she works with. A successful leader develops and maintains positive relationships, listens to and supports not only the teachers and staff members, but also the students and families of the school. It is the responsibility of the leader to work alongside the faculty and help guide them in order to achieve students’ success. A good leader will lead by example. A positive attitude along with effective communication and collaboration is key for a leader to become successful.

Development of School Vision/Mission

An Educational Leader is the facilitator in developing a vision for a school as well as the mission in order to achieve that goal. An Educational Leader should reach out to all invested parties, --teachers, students, families and community --  in order to receive input on what the vision of the school should be. The vision should reflect the stakeholders in order to be successful. Once the vision of the school has been developed, the process of getting input from all stakeholders on how the school should take steps in reaching their goal can begin.

A strong vision/mission statement found at https://helpfulprofessor.com/school-vision-and-mission-statements/#Best_High_School_Mission_Vision_Statements, which I found reflects my beliefs as a leader, states:

“We are committed to recognizing the importance of communication and to encouraging dialogue among all constituencies; to promoting intellectual and social growth and development within the school community; to providing a safe, supportive setting so that students have the opportunity to explore and to clarify their own beliefs and values, to take risks, and to think and speak for themselves; and to recognizing and responding to individual and institutional prejudices, both overt and subtle, based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, and physical and mental ability.”

The elements within the statement above are so important in helping students prepare for life outside of high school. As an educational leader, I want to provide students with the resources to help them succeed not only in school, but to prepare them for their future.

Setting School Goals and Strategies for Sustaining School Improvement

As an educational leader in a school, setting goals and developing strategies for sustaining improvement in the school can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Surveying staff, students, and families will help in determining where the focus needs to be. Listening, collaborating, and moving around the school building will help a good leader set goals and develop strategies for sustaining improvement. As a leader new to a school, in order to begin setting goals and strategies, I would do the following:

  • Get to know the culture and climate of the school.

  • Create a safe and supportive environment conducive for student growth

  • Cultivate strong relationships with students and their families, teachers, staff, and the community
     

Strategies for Sustaining School Improvement:

  • Survey teachers, students, and families getting their input

  • Hold weekly/monthly check-ins with faculty and staff

  • Join Department meetings to receive input on ongoing topics

  • Talk with teachers on a regular basis

  • Join meetings with the Student Council

  • Communicate regularly

  • Look at any data that is available and make decisions based on the results

  • Arrange professional development opportunities

Local, State, and National Trends Affecting Education

There are many things that can affect student learning and education as a whole. Trends that affect education are constantly changing as the local, state and national politics change. Below are examples of trends that are noteworthy: 

  • Teacher Shortages

  • Public School Funding (or lack thereof)

  • On-line Schooling

  • More students/families for whom English is their second language

  • Ever-changing technology

  • A more diverse population

  • Equity and Inclusion

  • Focus on Social and Emotional wellbeing

STRATEGIES
Promoting a Positive School Culture
Evaluate School Progress
Promoting a Positive School Culture

As an educational leader, promoting a positive school culture is important for the overall learning environment of the school. Leading by example is a great way in which a leader can promote a positive school culture. Examples include, but not limited to the follow:

  • Be transparent – Maintain open line of communication with parents, students, teachers, and staff.

  • Recognize and celebrate achievements.

  • Allow teachers to be innovative when teaching.

  • Provide professional development opportunities for teachers and staff.

  • Take stock in the building and classrooms

  • Be visible and engaged

  • Provide social opportunities for faculty in order to get to know one another.

  • Listen to what students, teachers, and parents have to say.

  • Involve the Community

Evaluate School Progress

Keeping a constant check on the progress the school is making in reaching goals that were set, confirming steps to meet those goals are working, and adjusting where needed is an important part of being a school leader. A few strategies that could be used in determining school progress are as follows:

  • Review testing data to see if students are mastering the required curriculum

  • Survey stake holders for how they perceive the school is progressing

  • Develop check-ins with staff and students 

  • Discuss results of surveys and any data reviewed with faculty and get feedback

  • Modify or add steps to get back on course based on findings

PROCEDURES
Managing School Resources
Technology Support
Protecting the Safety and Welfare of Students
Working with Parents and the Community
Managing School Resources

As an educational leader it is important to manage your school’s resources and stay within your operating budget. The following protocols can be set up in order to manage the schools resources:

  • Inform each department chair of the amounts approved in each category of the budget for their department

  • Train staff in the procedures for purchasing/spending

  • Train staff in process of collecting and depositing money collected

  • Put a checks-n-balance system in place to verify:

    • The necessity of the purchase

    • The availability of funds

  • Maintain an up-to-date inventory of resources throughout the school

  • Determine resources that are needed immediately versus those that need to go on a long term list (items that need to go out to bid).

  • Survey faculty to see if there are specific needs for the classroom

Technology Support 

A resource needed in order for a school to be successful are computers and various technological components that aid in teaching and learning. Below is a breakdown of technology for supporting teachers and students:

Teachers

  • Up-to-date Computer that will operate the various programs needed for specific curriculum.

  • Microsoft Office

  • Adobe (InDesign, Photoshop, etc.)

  • Learning Management Systems (Canvas, Schoology, etc.)

  • Various online tools for the classroom (Quizlet, KaHoots!, Blooket, EdPuzzle, Nearpod, Flipgrid, etc.)

  • Access to various databases for effective research 

  • Camera for Computer when running ZOOM or Google Meets

  • Projectors and Screens

Students

  • Up-to-date Computer that will operate the various programs needed for specific curriculum.

  • Microsoft Office

  • Adobe (InDesign, Photoshop, etc.)

  • Learning Management Systems (Canvas, Schoology, etc.)

  • Access to various online tools used in the classroom and for review (Quizlet, KaHoots!, Blooket, EdPuzzle, Nearpod, Flipgrid, etc.)

  • Access to ZOOM or Google Meets

Protecting the Safety and Welfare of Students 

Protecting the safety and welfare of our students is one of the most important components of being a school leader. There are many things that should be done in order to make sure the school is a safe place not only for student, but also faculty and staff. Below are areas that should be focused on:
Safety of the School:

  • Develop a Crisis Management Team

  • Provide clear protocols for emergencies (Medical, Environmental, etc.)

  • Provide training for faculty and students in the areas of:

    • a.    CPR

    • b.    First Aid

    • c.    Tornado

    • d.    Fire

    • e.    Active ShooterHire and train Security Team

  • Have Surveillance system in place and monitored

  • Establish policies for Inclement weather

  • Establish policies for student pick-up and drop off

  • Classes which require students to use tools or other potential hazardous equipment should be trained and signed off on by the appropriate personnel.
     

Welfare of Students:

  • Train faculty and staff in signs of abuse/neglect and steps they need to take.

  • Train faculty in mandate reporting if they are aware of a student being abused/neglected or if they suspect self-harm (marks on arms or a journal entry, etc.).

  • Partner with outside support systems for that school counselors can contact if needed.

  • Clear policies for moving about the school building

  • A student handbook with policies and procedures, provided to each student and family. 

Working with Parents and the Community

Working with parents and the community can help strengthen a school in various ways. Schools that partner with businesses in the community and other community organizations can create a “win-win” situation. Families and community businesses could help with funding different events or other areas with financial need, and the businesses or organizations could benefit from student involvement or advertisements in a program at school events. Working with the community  can help make the school stronger and could help provide opportunities for the student body.

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