Reflection

I have included this artifact of my learning because it demonstrates my critical thinking skills as well as my ability to synthesize and apply my learning. This course was very different than others I had previously taken. I often struggled with identifying how it would help me in my professional or personal life. I had hoped to learn more about how to create and implement effective staff development opportunities, but this was not the focus of the course. However, this artifact was a proposal I created on the TPA process-something I both value and disvalue. My evaluation year was approaching and I thought it would be interesting for me to take a magnifying glass to this process. I feel it demonstrates leadership on two levels. First, the creation of the artifact and, two, the content of the artifact.  

Firstly, I think it demonstrates leadership in that it calls into question current practices in education. It uses evidence and theory to critique the current process. Then, I applied my learning on effective staff development to propose a new method of evolution. I also integrated what I have learned from my professional experience and education background on effective assessment an evaluation. One thing I learned about leadership is that leaders are not afraid to ask difficult questions. This TPA process is well-established and widely accepted. However, I think I demonstrate my own leadership by choosing to question such a widely accepted practice. Secondly, the type of changes I suggest would require changes not only on a board or governmental level, but also on a union level. What I think is important about this artifact is that the proposed new evaluation method actually encourages leadership from others. In addition, it encourages the development of meaningful relationships and self-discipline. These are hallmarks of the Authentic leadership model (George et al, 2011). So this artifact also shows leadership within the content of the artifact and not just in its creation.