Supervisor Conference

I met with my site-supervisor on Friday, Sept. 16 at 10:00 AM in my office. I expected the meeting to last about 45 minutes, but we were still talking at noon. This meeting gave us an opportunity to review my plan in detail and to talk about the superintendent program at Lamar.  Dr. Kenner, Assistant Superintendent, has been in education for over 30 years and she has a wealth of knowledge that she shares so willing with me.

 One of her concerns she had was the ability to address all of the 38 activities and how many of the activities were outside of my responsibilities. Therefore, in reviewing the activities she made several recommendations that made the plan pertinent to our district and to give me opportunities that I had not thought of. For example, she invited me to a meeting of COMPASS (Community Performing Arts Series at the Summit) where our choir will be asking to perform in January. This will give the opportunity to be more involved with the community and to assist the choir director when the choir performs in January.  

Another change we made was the review of discipline referrals. We looked at the Performance Based Monitoring Report and an area of concern is the discipline referrals of special education students. I will be researching the discipline data, gathering information from campuses, and share the findings with the district leadership team.

Dr. Kenner was impressed with the activities I have already completed or in progress. I did several professional development presentations to our county of five districts and our district in August. I also collaborate and assist with planning for all of our district professional development. I do requisitions for testing materials and services often with my present position. I was able to obtain donations for a family night our Elementary School hosted this past Friday.

Dr. Kenner believes this plan will give me a good glimpse into about every area of district. She pointed me in the right direction on a few activities and offered advice how to accomplish others. The most important thing I valued from our meeting was having the opportunity to reflect on several issues facing education and sharing our view points on overcoming these obstacles. One of the main benefits I will receive during this internship is having a mentor that will help guide me into new leadership roles this program may bring my way. This is indeed an exciting time for me as I pursue my superintendent certification.

Superintendent Interview

The interview process was completely different than I had expected. I already had a perceived idea to what I thought the replies would be for many of the questions. After all, I am part of the executive meetings and part of the central office. However, I soon realized I was looking through a narrow scope and not a wide-angle lens. The experience from the interview now intrigues me to initiate other similar conversation with my superintendent, Glen Conner. The most significant common trend Mr. Conner offered was the value of honesty. Honesty to yourself and others is his guide to leading the district. Mr. Conner’s definition of leadership is having the style and ability to give guidance and leadership direction to benefit the children we serve.

The attributes of a good superintendent is to be a good listener. Look for compromise and be a mediator for the public, parents, and Board. A superintendent must be comfortable with saying, “No”, discern some things and make decisions for all. In today’s society a superintendent must think global and holistic when dealing with all the facets of leading a district.

I scored well in Competency 1 which emphasized the importance of integrity, fairness and ethical behavior. I believed ethical leadership had more to do with your behavior. After asking this question to Mr. Conner, ethical leadership is not only your own behavior, but that of the entire district. Mr. Conner stressed a superintendent must be honest and the patrons demand transparency in a small community such as ours. Another major area of ethical leadership is to confirm that the board members are demonstrating ethical leadership themselves. The superintendent may have to point out integrity, fairness, and ethical behavior to the Board because of a conflict of interest will arises at times.  After all, trust in the district is the hardest to gain back if ever lost.

I stated to Mr. Conner that Competency 3 was an area where I needed assistance and advice to be successful with communicating and responding to the community members and knowing how to evaluate the effectiveness of this. Mr. Conner quickly stated the community will tell you how successful you are in non-objective way. In our community the school employees are our patrons. Woodville’s biggest employer is the school district. Therefore, listening to what is going on and looking at everyone's perspective. In a small community, it is expected to be at as many school and community events as possible.

As I had expected, building a good relationship with the Board is difficult. Establishing a personal relationship with the board members and not letting that interfere with Board business. The Board must respect each other and know there will be times of disagreement. Always remember that a decision is not made by one board member, but by at least four others. Understanding the backgrounds and different dynamics of the Board is necessary. Mr. Conner said by having a strong board president makes all the difference in having a productive and strong team.

Mr. Conner believes to accomplish wide range strategic planning that enhances the teaching and learning, alignment of curriculum and the other areas of Competency 5 is easier in a bigger district that a small. This is a huge process and must have an instructional leader to meet the demands of the state and federal. Mr. Conner does not know how smaller schools than ours are able to handle this effectively. Even in our district a few people must wear many hats.

Mr. Conner’s advice to me develop an effective internship is to have the opportunity to work in as many areas as possible. Mr. Conner said I have a chosen a great time to seek this internship because of my position with the district and I will have the opportunity to work more closely in all areas, versus a larger school district. After all, because of the challenges ahead we have to be flexible in the way we do the business of education. Business is not the same as usual. I am in the position to be on the cuff of dramatic change where current leadership must be inspired by this challenge.

Vita

Annette Adkins

P.O. Box 2036

Woodville, Texas 75979

(W) 409-283-3752; (C) 409-766-0767; aadkins@gmail.com; annette.adkins@esc5.net

Education/Certification

M.Ed.                                      Master of Science in Educational Management, University of

                                                Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX, 2005

BS                                           Bachelor of Science in Academic Studies, Sam Houston

                                                State University, Huntsville, TX 1994

Superintendent

Certificate                              Texas (In progress)

Principal Certificate             Texas, 2005

Teacher Certificate              Elementary Self-Contained (1-8), Texas, 1995

                                                Elementary Mathematics (1-8),Texas, 1995

Administrative and Leadership Experience

District Instruction and Assessment Coordinator

Woodville Independent School District

Woodville, Texas 2009-present

·         Unified the state assessment process and implemented necessary procedures for the district. This includes district training to superintendent, principals, and campus testing coordinators for all state assessments.

·         Analyzed and disaggregated data of individual students, sub-groups, campuses, and the district to assist in the improvement of student achievement.

·         Provided professional development to district, campuses, and departments based on the needs of the district.

·         Provided support, training, and resources during the first year and current year of CSCOPE curriculum. Woodville I.S.D. received Recognized status for district’s history.

Assistant Principal, Woodville Middle School

Woodville Independent School District

Woodville, Texas  2007 – 2009

·         Developed and implemented campus wide discipline plan on the positive behavior model of CHAMPS.  Resulted in a decrease in office referrals and discipline reporting.

·         Developed a student incentive to improve attendance and recognize academic achievement.

·         Scheduled and supervised Para-professionals based on campus needs.

·         Evaluated, monitored, and conferenced with teachers using the state’s evaluation process to improve student achievement.

·         Oversaw daily operations and served in the capacity of the principal when needed.

Assistant Principal, Santa Fe Intermediate

Santa Fe Independent School District

Santa Fe, Texas  2006 – 2007

·         Developed a campus wide lesson plan and procedures for monitoring.

·         Coordinated and organized a math and reading night for two campuses that resulted in over 400 families that participated in the event.

·         Simplified and enforced a tardy policy that reduces morning tardies.

·         Responsible for assistant principals duties in the morning and responsible for three math classes at Santa Fe Junior High campus in the afternoon.

Summer School Principal Gr. 5 – 12

Santa Fe Independent School District

Santa Fe, Texas  2006 (Summer)

·         Oversaw all campus operations for 180 at-risk students and 25 staff members for grades 5^th through 12^th.

·         Produced student/teacher schedules, provided procedures, enforced student code of conduct and addressed parent/student concerns.

Math Department Chairperson,

Santa Fe Junior High, Santa Fe, TX 2000 – 2007

·         Planned, developed, and implemented of aligned math curriculum. This included inclusion, remediation, regular, G/T, and Pre-AP.

·         Increased student performance on state assessment each year. Santa Fe Junior High received the first recognized rating in the campus history.

·         Implemented researched-based teaching instructional practices and intergraded technology.

·         Monitored curriculum and instruction of other members in the department and made recommendations for improving student achievement.

·         Prepared aligned local assessments for department.

·         Disaggregated benchmarks, exams, benchmark and state assessment data. Adjusted curriculum and recommended classroom instructions based on data for department

Campus Teacher Mentor Coordinator

Santa Fe Junior High, Santa Fe, TX  2004 – 2006

·         Coordinated campus mentor program and trained mentee’s.

·         Mentored new teachers. Two new teachers received the district’s most effective First Year Teacher award.

District Educational Improvement Committee

Santa Fe Independent School District, Santa Fe, TX 2002 - 2004

·         Assisted with developing a new mission statement for the district and new district improvement plan format.

·         Reviewed district improvement plan with committee members for corrections and clarification.

Campus Educational Improvement Committee

Santa Fe Junior High, Santa Fe, TX  2002 – 2006

·         Chairperson of campus discipline committee to provide a positive learning environment.

·         Assisted with developing the school year master campus schedule with emphases on providing best middle school practices for the betterment of student achievement.

·         Chairperson for organizing a campus wide parent involvement event with parent participation of 70%.

Teaching Experience

Math and Pre-AP Algebra I Teacher - 8^th Grade,

Santa Fe Junior High, Santa Fe, TX 1995 – 2006

·         Developed and implemented a math remediation program. Increased student achievement for at-risk students.

·         Aligned and developed Pre-AP Algebra I curriculum. Excellent results on state assessments, including 100% on End-of-Course Algebra I

·         Piloted inclusion math classes and assisted with campus wide implantation of inclusion.

Math Teacher – 7^th Grade

C.E. King Middle School, Houston, Texas 1994 – 1995

·         Assisted on grade level committee on various year long activities to motivate and improve student achievement.

·         Mentored and tutored at-risk students.

Additional Professional Development

·        Texas State Assessment Conference, 2011, 2010

·        Galveston County Leadership Academy, 2006

·        Texas Middle School Conference, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2003, 2000, 1998

·        ASCD Conference, 2008, 2005

·        Gifted and Talented State Conference, 2002

Presentations

·         Adkins, A. (2011, August). Navigating STAAR. Presentation at Woodville I.S.D. Faculty In-service, Woodville, Texas.

·         Adkins, A. (2011 August). What Do We Know About STAAR? Presentation at Tyler County Professional Development Conference. Professional development for educators for 5 districts, Woodville, Texas.

·         Adkins, A. (2008, August). Discipline Management. Presentation at Woodville Middle School. Faculty In-service. Woodville, Texas

·         Adkins, A. (2007, August). Classroom management. Presentation at Woodville Middle School. Faculty In-service. Woodville, Texas

·         Adkins, A. (2006) Ruby Payne’s – A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Faculty book study. Santa Fe, Texas

·         Adkins, A. (2006) Ruby Payne’s – A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Faculty book study. Santa Fe, Texas

·         Adkins, A. (2004). Math Vertical Teaming – Similarities in TAKS Testing. Santa Fe Middle and High School. Faculty In-service, Santa Fe, Texas

Professional Affiliations

• Texas State-Wide Network of Assessment Professionals, 2010 - present

·         Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2005 - present

·         National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1996 - present

·         Texas Middle School Association, 2000-2009

·         Delta Kappa Gama Society International for Women Educators. Officer – Secretary of Delta Epsilon Chapter. 2005-present

Honors and Awards

·         2000 Secondary Teacher of the Year. Santa Fe Independent School District, Santa Fe, Texas

·         1999 Regular Education of the Year for Special Education, Santa Fe, Texas

·         1998 Teacher of the Year – Texas Association of Community Schools, Galveston County

References

References will be included on the following page, if requested.