EAD-533: Developing and Empowering Instructional Leaders

 This course prepared me to employ leadership and mentoring strategies that promote the development of quality teachers into effective instructional leaders. Our course topics promoted the learning of distributed leadership practices and identifying and empowering instructional leaders within a faculty.  I fostered an understanding of leading the evaluation of assessment data, components of peer observation, and strategies to provide feedback to teachers relevant to instructional planning and delivery.

EAD-530: Improving Teacher Performance and Self-Efficacy

This course prepares me to become an effective building-level instructional leaders that is able to positively enrich teaching and learning experiences/outcomes through leadership practices that improve teacher performance, self-efficacy, and morale. The course topics promoted the learning of strategies including coaching; collaborative learning and decision-making; creating a safe and supportive professional learning culture; and reflective practice. Candidates will examine current policy and practice in the areas of teacher observation, evaluation, and teacher performance ratings.

EAD-523 Developing Professional Capacity

This course prepared me to become effective building-level instructional leaders in the development of professional capacity. I investigated various school professional development program practices including Professional Learning Communities, Collaborative Learning Communities, beginning teacher induction, and mentor program models. Additionally, I analyzed theoretical models, research, and best practices for improving teaching as well as learning outcomes for all students, with a strong emphasis on data-driven, learner-centered decision-making. 

EAD-520 Strengthening Curricular Programs to Promote Continuous School Improvement

This course prepared me to become an effective instructional leader in the evaluation of school-wide curricular programs to promote continuous school improvement. I explored processes in planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and curriculum, while ensuring that curricular design, instructional strategies, and learning environments integrate appropriate technologies that maximize learning and teaching. Data-driven analysis was emphasized throughout.

EAD-513 Shaping School Culture

 This course emphasized the critical role of the educational leader in creating and sustaining a positive school culture and shared vision. Given diverse settings, contexts and leadership situations, we explored how various leadership styles, philosophies and behaviors can promote or hinder the development of a quality learning culture and positive workplace conditions. Additionally, we examined the supervisory processes and strategies by which educational leaders can empower teacher self-efficacy and promote instructional improvement that enriches the outcomes for all students. 

EAD-510 Education Finance

 This course examined PK-12 education finance with a fundamental focus on issues and practices that directly affect the operation of the school and local education agency (LEA). We were exposed to the regulations encompassed in the Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR) and the implications of these regulations at the school site level. School finance topics related to education at the federal, state, and local levels were examined and I was able to explore school budget and accounting principles, fiscal responsibility, resource allocation, basic administrative theories, processes, and techniques, as well as discuss the major challenges facing them in the daily operation of local schools.  This course included 10 hours of field experience.

EAD-505 Education Law

 Through my Education Law course we were introduced to school law.  These topics covered things such as:

• religious expression in public schools
• student rights
• students with disabilities
• school safety and tort liability
• moral and legal decision making

As an educational leader, it is our duty to uphold not only school and district policies but the state and federal laws that surround them as well.  Being able to make decisions in all aspects of education relies on our ability to interpret and follow those guidelines laid out before us to lead with purpose and strength in challenging situations.  Makes sure to check out my two EAD-505 artifact additions here.