An Essay Question and My Response for Mankato Public Schools Administrator Position

What process do you use for decision making?

I try to keep a few things in mind when I need to make a decision, starting with collaboration

of colleagues. To work in a school system like Mankato Area Public Schools, an administrator

or educational leader cannot afford to work as a lone wolf. A few models that I have seen that

work well include the MTSS and PLC systems. Both of those systems rely on data based

decision making and relationships that are built on mutual trust and respect.

When it comes to decisions that I ultimately need to make, I think about the impact that the

decision will have on students as a whole building. Then, I think about individual students as if I

need to make a decision for one of my own children at home. I need to decide what is best for

that individual with the information that I currently have. Lastly, I have a decision making

matrix that I have had hung above my desk that looks at importance and urgency. If a decision is

high in importance and urgency, it becomes a priority that needs to be done right away. If it is

low in urgency or importance, then there are different strategies and timelines that would need to

be followed.