February 15 -OISE RUBRIC

I am currently the Vice-Principal at Nesbitt Elementary School (EMSB) and finishing off my first year as an administrator. As I reviewed the OISE rubric, I was able to identify the levels under which I fall. This exercise also gave me the opportunity to underscore some areas of strength and areas that require improvement.

Under the heading of Principal as manager, I feel that I am at the advanced level as it pertains to student conduct. I have made it a priority to use a progressive discipline policy; one that provides students with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. In other words, an effective discipline policy entails the ability for students to change their behaviour because certain attitudes and values have been modified. Their behaviour does not change as a result of fear of consequences. I cannot claim that all the students that I have reprimanded have had this type of progressive change, but I am sure that most have.

An example of my approach involves a case where a sixth grader made an anti-semitic comment. The child's parents were contacted and our policy on racial slurs was explained. The child served a detention, but I felt that this incident should be used as an educational experience. I arranged for this student to visit the Holocaust Museum. During his visit, a Holocaust survivor spoke to the students and explained the horrors of the concentration camps. After the visit, this student wrote a report on what he saw and learned and there was no doubt in my mind that this experience had a deep impact on him.

In terms of regulations and policy, I am learning more and more everyday. Recently, I was involved in a case where I had to signal DYP because I suspected neglect in two of my students. I kept records of conversations with students, observations about their lunches, clothes, behaviour and so on. Similarly, I have had to inform myself about policies regarding absenteeism. The EMSB has a policy that is informed by sections in the Education Act and Youth Protection Act. For example, a student who has had 5 or more invalid absences in one month. I am currently monitoring such cases. I would say that I am at the intermediate level as described by the OISE rubric.

I believe that the area where I need most improvement is in time management. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed to the point that I am paralyzed and unable to proceed with certain tasks. I feel I need to learn to delegate and prioritze my tasks to improve my time managment plan.

In the heading of Principal as instructional leader/program facilitator, I see the need for improvement as well. In terms of learning environment, I am sensitive to the needs of staff and welcome their suggestions. Recently, I implemented an idea related to improving student supervision after school that was brought forth during a staff council meeting. In this area, I think I would fall between intermediate and advanced. There is still the need for further consultation with staff and more formal and informal monitoring of the school culture.

In terms of leadership strategies, I feel that I must encourage my staff to share their instructional strengths and curricular interests. I believe some form of mentoring would be helpful for some of my younger teachers.

The role of Principal as school-community facilitator is very important to me. Here, I believe that this is an area of strength. I am very open to suggestions that parents and staff members make in terms of bussing, discipline, safety measures and security. Some of our parents had concerns with various school yard exits and we worked together to eliminate potential safety issues.

In terms of visionary, I have not had much time in my role as a vice-principal to forge an articulate vision for the school. I know, however, that effective change and setting goals are best achieved through inviting all stakeholders to contribute. If everybody feels included, the vision that is articulated can go beyond rhetoric. At this point, I would say that I am operating at the basic level in that i sense the need for change within the school and have initiated some changes. For example, community work has become an important element of the school disciplinary policy. Suspensions have been modified to include in-school suspensions and community work which entails working in the cafeteria.

An area of strength is that of problem solver. I identify problems but address those which are identified by others as well. Consideration is often given to the perspectives of parents and school staff. As stated earlier, I am always open to suggestions provided by others and encourage such input.

The OISE rubric is an excellent tool and has helped me identify areas of strength and weakness in carrying out my duties as a vice-principal. It has also helped me recognize the responsibilities of a principal.