LearnHub

Preparing Yourself for Your Next Career Position in Educational Leadership

Dr. Vincent Coppola

Educational & Leadership Consultant-Western New York Educational Service Council

State University of New York at Buffalo
Baldy Hall

Buffalo, New York 14260 U.S.A.


PHASE 1- TAKING INVENTORY




We are pleased that Vince has consented to share his thoughts on how you may wish to prepare for your next career position. This presentation will be offered in three phases as follows:

A. TAKING INVENTORY

B. THE APPLICATION and RESUME

C. THE INTERVIEW

NOTE: Since this site has enrolled participants not only from the U.S.A but from Canada,
Germany, India, Italy and Scotland--terms used in this presentation may not apply to your particular country. Please feel free to use what is relevant to your situation.


PHASE 1--TAKING INVENTORY

a. SELF

1. Define leadership for yourself.

2. What are the positive and negative experiences that have brought you to your present position?

3. What do you know about yourself? Personal likes and dislikes--professional likes and dislikes.

4. Do you have a good sense of what teachers and support staff like and dislike about you as a leader?

5. What feedback do you receive from those you report to about how well you are doing in your role as a school administrator?

6. Have you ever surveyed the staff and students seeking feedback on your performance as a school leader? What changes, if any did you make to any areas of weaknesses or concerns noted by survey participants?

7. What is your vision for an ideal school for staff, parents, students?

8. What are your goals over the next 3--5--10 years?

9. What are you presently doing to reach your next career goal?

10. What accomplishments can you list in your present and past positions that you believe added value to the educational environment? Do you have them written somewhere for easy retrieval as you begin to think about your next position?

11. Have you ever reflected and written on paper your core values and set of beliefs?

12. How would you rate your writng and speaking skills? If you need to improve--where will you go to seek help?

13. What steps have you taken to enchance your professional development?

14. In pursuing a higher level position what factors are critical to you in making that choice?

15. How will you acquire information about the position and district ( if outside your present district ) where you hope to obtain employment?


b, Preparing for a New Job Opportunity--Questions to ask:

1. When do I know that the time is right to move to another district?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of moving to another district?

3. What family considerations if any, do I need to contemplate before even applying to another position

4. How will the next move help my career?

5. What do you and your family ( if any ) value in terms of quality of life issues?

Note: Once you have answered these questions and have decided to apply to a district and a particular region---what are the steps that need to be taken to insure success?

c. Steps to Consider

- Research the District

- Preliminary site visit

- Information on district report card

- School climate and culture

- Organizational chart

- Budgets and community support

- Capital projects

- Strategic or long range plans

- CDEP

- Bargaining contracts

- What are the major issues in the district and/or community