Marcia Feliz

EDL 703 - Nodel

Reflection Cycle

Due date: May 11th, 2015

Describe:

The New Program Implementation and Communication Plan was designed to help frame

our minds into thinking about available resources and agencies that can foster growth within a

school community. In order to do this we had to look at the strengths, needs and issues that

faced not only the school but the community as whole. This put us directly into a leadership

mindframe. We had to think about how we can use the community resources to build a bridge

between the community and the school. The ultimate goal was to create a program that would

meet the holistic needs of the community that directly affects the growth of the students.

Together we researched data, prioritized needs and issues within the community and

brainstormed programs that would target those issues. Danielle and I worked very well

together. We bounced a lot of ideas off each other and neither of us was critical about the

others point if we didn't agree. There were times when her idea better suited the program than

mine and vice versa. Danielle and I were so creative with the ideas for our program that we

ended up having too many ideas, and struggled to bring the list to a realistic standpoint. When

we finally summed up the overall goal and vision for our program the workflow was a lot

smoother.

Collaboration had to be the greatest skill that was demonstrated while working on the

program. Danielle and I were open to new ideas and disposing of others. I planned meeting

dates and kept us focused on the project. Danielle tends to get nervous that we are completing

the assignment incorrectly. At times I had to just tell her that our confidence in the program, in

addition to the data we collected is what will sell this to the class. The biggest problem we

encountered was sticking to one idea and building from that point. We just felt that so many

factors can contribute to making this program successful that we didn't want to leave anything

out. Our solution was just to prioritize and see which ideas would be the most effective.

Collaboration was essential in completing this assignment.

Analyze:

ELCC - 4.1: Collaborate with Families and Other Community Members

The New Program Implementation Plan’s core is in standard 4.1. We used research

based data from the community to develop our outreach program. Through this research we

were able to identify what the school community was in most need of and brainstorm various

methods to meet those needs. The foundation of this plan was create partnerships with

community agencies so that all stakeholders are involved in the program. When presenting our

program we had to make sure that it was marketable therefore we needed creatively

communicate the need for our plan. Together we created a mindful eating program that would

target the unhealthy atmosphere at Danielle’s school. We used the information such as the

neighborhood walk, student survey and district statistics as our data to support the need for the

program. We decided that the most effective way to get our message into the community is to

have the students responsible for promoting the program as well as turn keying the information

to their families. This will foster collaboration between all stakeholders and the community.

ELCC - 4.2: Respond to Community Interest and Need

Our program Feed Your Intellect (FYI) was in direct response to the communities needs.

On her neighborhood walk Danielle noted that there were no farmers markets or healthy food

options for families to choose from. After observing the student and staff’s eating habit we

came to the conclusion that the school needed a health intervention. Through intense research

we found that each school building is supposed to have a “Wellness Team” and her school did

not. Furthermore, the statistics about the South Bronx regarding the health was alarmingly

poor. We felt that we needed to create that sense of urgency and educate her school

community on mindful eating habits. We also noticed that the health of children is of national

concern and it wasn’t being addressed at her school. Our program met the needs of the diverse

community by integrating cultural interests as assessments. These assessments allow for the

children’s creativity to be highlighted and provide them with hands on learning meeting the

needs of different learning styles. This also creates an inclusive atmosphere allowing all

students to participate in the production of the assessments.

ELCC 4.3 - Mobilize Community Resources

A major component to creating the new plan was to research community resources that

will help support student achievement. These resources are agents in helping solve the issues

that the school community is facing. I feel that this standard touches on how crucial the

community is in moving the school towards academic, social and emotional success. It also

speaks to how important it is to have that connection with the agencies within the community.

Every stakeholder must believe in the school’s vision and usually the community agencies are

underutilized. Another aspect of this program that meets this standard was brainstorming how

to market our program to these agencies. This was accomplished by promoting that sense of

urgency and providing the data to support our cause. This would have ultimately caught the

attention of the agencies to support the school. I can not imagine a community agency not

supporting children once they understand how their support is critical to the success of the

neighborhood.

Appraise:

This artifact help demonstrated my personal and professional growth because it showed

me that collaboration and active listening is essential to working together. I learned that it is

possible to work together with someone that you are close with when respect for each others

ideas are prevalent while working. As future leaders we need to be able to be open about our

vision for our students overall growth and it all starts with working with a team of people that

share that vision. I feel that this project allowed me to see that successful work can be

accomplished if we share the same vision and dedication to making that vision a reality.

Transform:

What I have learned from not only this assignment but from the course in general is that

outside resources from CBOs to the guidance counselor are crucial to the success of our

stakeholders. As a future leader I need to be aware of what my community is about, what are

its needs and issues and what can I use now to build upon. There are so many aspects to

building the bridge between school and the community that one person cannot accomplish it on

their own. I realized that as a leader I need to work with others that share the same vision and

have to drive and determination to make use of what we have already available to us

innovatively create something out of nothing. I need to think outside the box, which is extremely

difficult for me. However, implementing this program and coming up with creative ways to

attract all stakeholders really made me see that I can do it.