Jeff Burgess
Summary 
Internship 6072/6072
Dr. Michael Arnold
Spring 2004

Summary of Internship for Educational Administration

	My internship for Educational Administration was a valuable learning experience in which I experienced or observed activities related to the major responsibilities of a building principal.  During this process I learned and acquired skills that will allow me to be an effective principal.  I feel confident that I will be able to apply this knowledge and disposition to performance as a successful educational leader.  Areas that I feel I have gained valuable insight into include the change process, student testing, curriculum development, programs for exceptional students, the Missouri School Improvement Program, evaluation of faculty, staff management, scheduling, the school budget, building maintenance, supervision and discipline of students, and community relations.
	By developing a vision of learning that will be shared by the educational community, I will be able to promote positive and successful educational experiences through changes and improvements. As a successful leader, I feel that I will be able to promote interpersonal communication, consensus building, conflict resolution, organizational change, personal reflection, and continuous, comprehensive, and systemic school improvement through the use of data, research, and collaboration of staff.  Experiences that have helped me in these areas include faculty meetings, the creation of data reports, collaboration on testing schedules, collaboration on group projects, and the development of a personal philosophy on educational administration.  
	I will be able to promote and refine a school culture that leads to improvements in student learning and staff professional growth by identifying and assessing instructional and assessment strategies, the curriculum, the school climate, relevant data, professional development needs and opportunities, and the attitudes of learners and educators.  I have developed these skills through an action research project that looks at methods of instruction to improve learning and identifies appropriate assessments and essential requirements of professional development related to improving instruction.  A curriculum mapping project and participation in a grant writing experience also helped me to recognize curriculum and assessments qualities that help to improve learning.  Participation in teacher evaluation enlightened my thoughts on learning and teaching methods.  A comprehensive professional development leadership activity helped build my confidence as a professional growth organizer.  
	I have learned how to effectively manage and organize the school facility and learning environment.  Varied principles, theories, and operations procedures were acquired from the development of a building schedule, a safety and maintenance evaluation, review of Missouri School Improvement Program requirements, consensus building, and planning of school activities.  I have analyzed the building budget development and procedures.  I have recognized the need for increased awareness of confidentiality and privacy issues.  My expertise in technology has increased and has been effectively utilized in my administrative endeavors.  
	I have collaborated with families and community members concerning issues in the educational programs of the school.  I have involved the community in school functions through grant applications, press releases, field trip planning, planning a public and family relations activity, and recognizing activities that involve diverse members of our community.  The school has been involved in the community by a participating in a community action agency project.  Communication has been fostered by the development of a resource list. An evaluation of diversity in the curriculum has been compared to state standards in knowledge and performance.  
	My actions and standards have shown integrity, fairness, and ethical decision making. The creation of a method of student body representation reflects my values of good character traits and conduct.  Participation in the supervision, discipline, and evaluation of students has demonstrated ethical decision making.  I have shared and participated with other administrators in activities that relate a code of ethics and important character traits for leaders and students.  I have completed extensive evaluations of students and staff that have identified strengths and weaknesses in the levels of trust and nature of values in the school community, as well as the perceptions of people of the actions of school leaders.  
	 I have demonstrated understanding of, responded to, and influenced the larger political, social, economical, legal, and cultural perspectives of educational leadership.  I have promoted open and ongoing communication with the educational community through attendance at and participation in meetings and using avenues to evaluate and assess the political conditions of the educational local and state communities.   I have demonstrated understanding of policies and regulations pertinent to the public educational systems in Missouri by evaluations and assessments of compliance of my district of employment as well as other districts throughout Southwest Missouri.  
	The internship as an experience has been positive, rewarding, and revealing. Significant challenges face present and future principals, including budget concerns, compliance with achievement standards and federal, state, and local regulations, improving methods of instruction and learning, and effectively dealing with eminent  educational and social issues and values that are continually evolving and emerging.  My perspective of educational leadership is one that envisions change – of the world, our country, communities, leaders, families, schools, teachers, students, and myself.