CLINICAL FIELD EXPERIENCE A: SHAPING SCHOOL CULTURE INTERVIEW AND 1

OBSERVATION

Clinical Field Experience A: Shaping School Culture Interview and Observation

Lekisha Morris

Grand Canyon University: EAD - 513

Dr. Karla Carlson

11/10/2020
CLINICAL FIELD EXPERIENCE A: SHAPING SCHOOL CULTURE INTERVIEW AND 2
OBSERVATION

Vision and Mission

The mission statement of the Maricopa County Head Start Program is “to educate

children and support families with a broad and holistic range of supports to ensure that children

ages 0-5 are prepared and ready for school” (Maricopa County, n.d.). The vision statement is

“healthy, educated children in supportive families” (Maricopa County, n.d.). As new staff come

into the program and as we have various assemblies, the vision and mission statement are

addressed with the staff and the families as the program works with them.

Interviewee #1

The first interview I had was with the Program Manager. She has been with the program

for several years. She started as a site supervisor and has worked her way up to upper

management. I asked her how does she support the vision and mission of the program and she

stated that she takes the time to collaborate with the various teams within out program to ensure

that systems are in place to ensure that we meet the needs of the staff and provide the proper

resources in order be able to meet the needs of the children and families that we serve. She takes

the time to elevate and motivate staff so that they will have the confidence to be able to provide

the best service at all times. I also asked how this helps shape the overall culture of the program

and she stated that in order to develop an overall positive culture, that staff should not only

understand the importance of the population that we serve, but they also need to understand the

vision and mission and implement it daily.

Interviewee #1 Strategies

The Program Manager feel that the strategies that she uses to promote the mission and

vision of the program are consistent and the same for everyone who is a part of the program.
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Accountability plays a major part in the promotion of the mission and vision and the program’s

culture. Everyone who is a part of the program plays a role and they also must be committed to

do the work that is required of them and be held accountable in order to have a positive impact

on the community that we serve.

Interviewee #2

My second interview was with one of the seven Professional Development Coaches. She

has held many roles within the organization as well and she has worked for this program for over

twenty years. When I asked her how she supports the program’s mission and vision, she stated

that she treats everyone the way that she would want to be treated. She has experienced several

changes in leadership throughout the years and many of those changes were not great. So, she

reflects on how she was treated during those times and reminds herself not to be that person who

puts others down. She is responsible for training and providing professional development to the

staff, so transparency, honesty and respect is very important to her. She pushes the staff to reach

their potential, but also during those moments she provides them with the support and tools that

they need in order to get there. She feels that when staff understands the program’s mission and

vision and adheres to it, then it helps to shape the overall school culture. She also knows that

change is inevitable in our field of education and policy updates should occur consistently to

follow the ever-changing responsibilities of the program.

Interviewee #2 Strategies

One of strategies that the Professional Development Coach uses to promote the school’s

mission and vision is leading by example and modeling. As a part of the education team, she is

looked up to in the program and she feels that she has a great responsibility to the program to

adhere to this. Taking the time to build relationships and build rapport with staff and with the
CLINICAL FIELD EXPERIENCE A: SHAPING SCHOOL CULTURE INTERVIEW AND 4
OBSERVATION
families that we serve help create a culture within the program that helps with the achievement of

the children that we work with.

Reflection

I feel that regardless of what out position is, it is important to treat people with respect

and to also lead by example. Be the change that you want to see. As a leader, I am responsible

for adhering to the vision and mission first before I can expect others to do so. Standard 1 states,

“effective educational leaders develop, advocate, and enact a shared mission, vision and core

values of high-quality education and academic success and well-being of each student”

(National, 2015). Making sure that I express the importance of the vision and mission will help

with the overall understanding of it as well.

Ensuring that I have clear expectations of the program and what each staff member

responsibilities are will also help in the overall implementation of the vision and mission of the

program. School culture is very important and as a leader, ensuring that open and clear

communication is provided, support is given and that I lead by example is what I will make sure

that I implement when I am in this role.

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OBSERVATION
References

National Policy Board for Educational Administration (2015). Professional Standards for Educational Leaders 2015.

Reston, VA: Author.