Jocelyn Samuya's Reflection

A REFLECTION IN MANAGEMENT OF INSTRUCTION

SESSION: June 16, 2012

JOCELYN S. SAMUYA (Student)

DR. OLGA ALONSABE (Professor)

Supervision is the primary function of the school head that is to supervise instructional program.         

  I learned that instructional leadership is the heart of the educational system which strives for curriculum improvement.  

                   The supervisory function of the school head is to assist the teachers to grow and develop professionally. Through this, they will be self-fulfilled and happy about their profession. Teachers will become more effective and creative for a more enjoyable learning experience to the school clienteles. In addition to these tasks, according to Bruce and Grimsley school heads as instructional leaders are both researchers and consumer of research to determine the efficacy of their of their instructional programs. In this way they can also find effective procedures and practices for classroom interaction and management.

                 The attainment of the educational goals of the school heads are their essential role that gives me a great pressure if in the future I will become one of them. Yet, as a teacher I have known the felling of being intimidated since signifies an authority on their part. This is what I would like to erase the trademark of the administrators. Overseeing the work of the teachers in a democratic style of management will be performed as a developmental activity which also requires my professional capabilities and personal abilities. These will also a way of gaining assistance from the stakeholders to realize the set goals. I believe that the fundamental task of the school heads is to give a hand and to those being supervised not to terrorized. I will ensure that every teacher will be given proper attention and action to circumvent teachers’ instructional difficulty and incompetence.

                 I would like to adapt Peter Senges’ words and I quote,”All human beings are born with unique gifts. The healthy functioning of our community depends on its capacity to develop each gift.” The persons in the whole school community, various resources, materials, facilities and many other peoples, things and ideas are gifts. Let us nurture them.

                  Let us hitch our wagon to the Stars.

  TO BE ALL THE GLORY!

The Ethos of Instructional Supervision

The Ethos of Instructional Supervision:

A Reflection

By Omar Quidlat Hussien

Ethos itself is a standard which leaders and instructional supervisors must adhere in order for them to do their functions and obligations well for the benefit of the organization where they serve. Ethos as a learned standard must be put into practice as “to learn and not to do is really not to learn”. These are just few of the inputs we have learned in the day 2 class on 23 June 2012 in EDAD 305 – Management of the Instructional Program under Dr. Olga Alonsabe.

Moreover, the Whole Person Paradigm depicts the body, the mind, the heart, and the spirit. The human intelligence must be balanced according to these four; otherwise one will have unhealthy living. Leadership as a skill must also be rooted with this paradigm for it takes all these four quotients (PQ, IQ, EQ and SQ) to make an effective and efficient leader to transfer vision into reality.

Further, leadership is to model, to path–find, to align, and to empower. Modeling is a must since people tend to follow what they see as desirable; path–finding is an aspect of skillfulness and resourcefulness; aligning the activities of the organization to its VMGO is not going out of the borders; and lastly, empowering the members of the organization is letting them advance for themselves. In addition, to be a successful leader is to set direction, to demonstrate personal character, to mobilize individual commitment, and to engender organizational capability.

Furthermore, the culture of professionalism must be shared by the leader and the members of the organization. Because once shared, it is likely to make a Holistic Professional Learning Community.

With the lessons learned and mentioned above, as a future leader, I now realize that Ethos is what made Stephen Covey come up to his “Eighth Habit of Good Leadership” as Ethos is what effectiveness paves way to greatness. I also realize that the Whole Person Paradigm is indeed a physiological, philosophical and psychological paradigm. Leadership is multi–tasking for it requires tough individuals to get involve with tough tasks. Leadership is not centered to few aspects only. Instead, leadership is living in a world of standards set to follow, thus; transforming this ideal world into reality.

In Iligan City National High School where leaders are multi–tasked, for one point; the teachers ourselves are supportive enough to understand whatever flaws in their leadership. After all, organizational members ourselves must have something to contribute for ideal leadership to be realized. Another point, as far as the idea of professional learning environment is concerned, our school is an example. We may not be the best example but at least, trying and exerting efforts hand–in–hand to be an environment of professional learning is already exhibiting a culture of professionalism. 

Instructional Managers should "walk their talk"

Reflection 1

On the First Day Class for Management of Instruction / Instructional Supervision under Dr. Olga Alonsabe

PHD Program, Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro

16 June 2012 4:00–7:00 PM Room 352

Management of Instruction as a distinct course in the PHD Program of Capitol University is a necessity for future instructional managers and supervisors ourselves. With the discussion and interaction we had in the day 1 of our class, I was able discover and learn many things about the course. For one thing, ‘Instructional Supervision’ is the main work of the principal. Second, ‘Instructional Supervision’ is ‘Instructional Leadership’. Third, ‘Instructional Supervision’ is seeing the process from the top to bottom. And lastly, ‘Instructional Supervision’ is not only intended during classes but also during ‘Between Classes’. All these thoughts are necessary because these are all realities. And because these are realities, practicing these necessary things is being real to one’s self. The managers of instruction then should be real in practice. Theories in management of instruction are good but how will it be when theories are not applied and practiced in the real scenario. The managers of instruction should ‘practice what they preach’ and should ‘walk their talk’.

Learning those things, what did I realize? As a classroom teacher, the way I successfully manage my students is a humble achievement. As the department coordinator in the second year level of our school, the way my colleagues trust me in giving them instructional assistance is another good thing happening in my teaching career.

In the near future, when I am to be appointed as a manager of instruction; this time in a large–scale setting i.e. school, district, division, etc., I shall do my duties with dignity and dedication because being a manager of instruction does not only portray my ‘bread and butter’ but also my mission to help spread the culture of excellence. I believe teaching as the noblest profession should be strengthened and that teachers should then be further empowered. Teachers are always the frontliners and forerunners of quality education so why not give them what they deserve. I shall propose a strengthened mutualism between the teachers and managers and so giving justice to the cliché ‘it takes two to tango’. But at least before the two, either party should know how to dance the tango. Instructional supervision is the main work of the principal so when I become one, I shall not play biases and prejudices because these are the root–causes of conflicts. I shall display the work ethics I possess and profess so my teachers shall do the same. Seeing the process from top to bottom is another mission for me to accomplish. This is meant in order to uphold the spirit of fairness because it is another thing that the teachers should enjoy with as they deal with their principal and consequently follow him as he take the lead. Moreover, seeing the process from top to bottom is seeing how the end really justifies the means.

Omar Quidlat Hussien