As an educational leader, the author has developed skills aligned with ISLLC standards by facilitating collaboration between educators, developing tools to improve IEP and intervention processes, observing effective technology uses in schools, revising emergency preparedness plans, and engaging with community partners. The author developed a data collection tool adopted by multiple schools to facilitate communication between regular educators, special educators, and administrators for IEP, 504, and intervention meetings. As an intern, the author observed software enhancing individualized learning and adopted it for a traditional school, improving student motivation, progress, and time spent on instruction. The author also revised emergency plans across two schools and a district office.

1. As an educational leader, I have had the opportunity to develop skills demonstrated by
the following ISLLC standards
Standard 1
An education leader promotes the success of every student by facilitating the
development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning
that is shared and supported by all stakeholders.
Functions:
A. Collaborativelydevelopand implement a shared visionand mission
B. Collect and use data to identify goals, assess organizational
effectiveness, and promote organizational learning
C. Create and implement plans to achieve goals
D. Promote continuous and sustainable improvement
E. Monitor and evaluate progress and revise plans
I developed and improved a data collectiontool to be used by regular education
teachers and special education teachers or administrators in order to implement a
team-based, student-focused IEP for students with disabilities, and other students
who may be struggling or at risk for failure in school. This tool was fully adopted
and continues to be used in multiple schools where I have had the opportunity to
work or serve in an administrative intern capacity. By using this tool, it has
facilitated more meaningful communication between regular educators, special
educators and administrators. The same form has been used with the
parents/guardians to gather information used in IEP, 504 and intervention
meetings. It enables all stakeholders to think ahead of the meetings of relevant
Present levels of performance and potential goals to work toward with the student.
Standard 2
An education leader promotes the success of every student by advocating,
nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to
student learning and staff professional growth.
Functions:
A. Nurture and sustain a culture of collaboration, trust, learning, and
high expectations
B. Create a comprehensive, rigorous, and coherent curricular program
C. Create a personalized and motivating learning environment for
students

2. D. Supervise instruction
E. Develop assessment and accountabilitysystems to monitor student
progress
F. Develop the instructional and leadershipcapacity of staff
G. Maximize time spent on quality instruction
H. Promote the use of the most effective and appropriate technologies to
support teaching and learning
I. Monitor and evaluate the impact of the instructional program
In my internships, I observed the use of technology in effective and less effective
ways. I found some curricular tools that, when used appropriately, serve to
enhance, bolster, and individualize student learning for each student. One
particular piece of online software I was able to observe in use at multiple charter
schools has been a tremendous tool to bolster individualized academic
achievement. The success of this tool in Special Education settings in these charter
schools, led me to incorporate it into a traditional intermediate school setting. It
has since been adopted by not only all of the teachers in the Special Education
department, but also by teachers in the mainstream classes. The tools it provides
enable instant feedback to students and teachers with incentives and goals to work
toward; growth charts and analytics; curricula that are tied to the state CORE from
Kindergarten through 8th grade in nearly all subject matters; games and rewards;
and assessments for both placement as well as preparation for high-stakes state
testing. Since using this tool, students in these classes have seen an increasing rate
of on-task behavior, overall improvement in skills and progress toward academic
goals. Teachers have been able to work individually with students, helping them
progress at a rate that the student can maintain without being either overwhelmed,
or not being challenged. As students progress and master a particular subject or
grade-level course material, they can immediately move forward with the next
level. Mastery is the expectation of 80% or better in order to move forward. I have
observed students becoming motivated by the desire (and their discovered ability)
to achieve 100% on their tests and assignments. Teachers have more time to focus
on teaching individual students while spending less time on group lesson planning,
material’s preparation and grading.
Standard 3
An education leader promotes the success of every student by ensuring
management of the organization, operation, and resources for a safe, efficient, and
effective learning environment.
Functions:
A. Monitor and evaluate the management and operational systems

3. B. Obtain, allocate, align, and efficientlyutilize human, fiscal, and
technological resources
C. Promote and protect the welfare and safety of students and staff
D. Develop the capacity for distributedleadership
E. Ensure teacher and organizational time is focused to support quality
instructionand student learning
At two separate schools and while interning at the School District Office, I was
able to review, consolidate and/or revise and implement a school-wide Emergency
Preparedness Plan. These plans required analysis of existing structures, procedures
and materials, and to evaluate their efficacy. The results were positive and
received well at each location. One particular school had two separate programs
involved with independent staff and student bodies. I had the opportunity to
engage the staff and administrations of both to complete the program.
Standard 4
An education leader promotes the success of every student by collaborating with
faculty and community members, responding to diverse community interests and
needs, and mobilizing community resources.
Functions:
A. Collect and analyze data and information pertinent to the educational
environment
B. Promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the community’s
diverse cultural, social, and intellectual resources
C. Buildand sustain positive relationships withfamilies and caregivers
D. Buildand sustain productive relationships withcommunity partners
The development of Emergency Preparedness Plans at a local Charter School, as
well as with two traditional public schools and the district office, enabled me to
gather data across a broad field, work with individuals at multiple levels of
administration, and community emergency responders.
I have also had the opportunity to work with local community groups and
organizations to coordinate the use of facilities, produce Shakespeare plays and
promote freedom-based, individualized education for students of diverse
backgrounds and abilities. I have been directly involved in the establishment of a
private commonwealth school to meet the needs of community members who have
chosen to provide the majority of their children’s education in a home setting.
These commonwealth schools serve as a place for students 12-18 to be mentored
in a classical-leadership education style, and for parents to develop their mentoring
skills and abilities. As a result of the networking opportunities I have had as a
leader, we have been able to connect multiple students with unpaid internships and

4. paid entry-level tech positions at community theaters where they have learned
valuable employable skills while implementing the knowledge gained at their
various schools.
Standard 5
An education leader promotes the success of every student by acting with integrity,
fairness, and in an ethical manner.
Functions:
A. Ensure a system of accountabilityfor every student’s academic and
social success
B. Model principles ofself-awareness, reflective practice, transparency,
and ethical behavior
C. Safeguard the values of democracy, equity, and diversity
D. Consider and evaluate the potential moral and legal consequences of
decision-making
E. Promote social justice and ensure that individual student needs inform
all aspects of schooling
During my internship I was enabled to serve as a substitute for the principal while
he was away on an extended trip. During this time I was able to deal with multiple
student behavioral issues, work with parents and address concerns. I was able to
assist students who were having challenges attending class; resolve disputes and
investigate destructive behavior. I have had multiple opportunities to reflect on not
only the learning of students at the school, but also my own learning and progress.
In an effort to encourage reading at the school each teacher is reading books and
has opportunity to discuss them with others. I have had the opportunity to read
multiple books that have broadened my understanding of democracy, ethics and
diversity.
Standard 6
An education leader promotes the success of every student by understanding,
responding to, and influencing the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural
context.
Functions:
A. Advocate for children, families, and caregivers
B. Act to influence local, district, state, and national decisions affecting
student learning
C. Assess, analyze, and anticipate emerging trends and initiatives inorder
to adapt leadershipstrategies

5. As a leader, I have been becoming increasingly aware of the effects that compulsion has
had on education and the negative impact it has on students and society as a whole. My
master’s thesis researched and explored this topic with startling connections. I am an
advocate for school choice and a return to individual responsibility and accountability for
gaining an education. Much of our legislated rules regarding public education (and by
association all educational opportunities) remove the responsibility of gaining an
education from the individual and place that responsibility on the shoulders of the
teachers and school systems. I have been involved in establishing a private
commonwealth school association to aid and assist students who receive the bulk of their
education in a home setting. I have been involved in promoting and implementing sound
educational policies. While interning at a school district office, I was able to modify and
correct policies to reflect recent legislation regarding parental rights and responsibilities,
and the district’s relationship to home-schooled students. While interning at a charter
school, I was able to write and modify existing policies relative to homeschool and
attendance.