Career Position and Leadership Goals Statement

Career Position

I can remember finally making my decision on my career pathway as a sophomore in college.  I finally made up my mind; I wanted to be a coach.   I enjoyed everything about it.  My ultimate goal was to become a head basketball coach and I did that at the age of 28.  I enjoyed coaching and teaching science.  I have had the opportunity to touch the lives of many students and athletes.  Coaching does take a toll on the family and I have been blessed to have a wife that understands and supports the many hours I spent away from home due to coaching.  I told myself that I would coach till the age of forty.  As I approached forty I had no idea what I was going to do.  At the age of forty I stopped coaching and was offered a job as a facilitator.  My job responsibilities were head of science department, facilities and discipline.  I enjoyed it so much that I went back to school and enrolled in a program that would enable me to finish my masters in school administration in one year.  After I received my principal certificate, I applied for a principal position at a middle school and have been a principal for the past three years. Every Friday night, especially at this time of the year, I miss coaching.  Every time I step into a gym, I tell myself, I can do this one more time.  But, I have the best position in education.  As principal, I can touch the lives of all children on campus, not only some students or athletes, I can help all children.

My career goals are to become a principal, athletic director or superintendent. I do not want to work at central office.  I want to work directly with students as a leader, whether it is a leader in athletics, a campus or a district.  Currently I am a principal and I enjoy working for children; I believe that I am a good advocate for all children.  All the decisions I make in school are for the best interest of all students. I have met one of my career goals.  I work at Roma ISD and my goals are to retire here.  If an opportunity were to arise to become superintendent of our district I would gladly take it.  If an opportunity were to arise to become athletic director, I would gladly take that job too.  If the opportunity were to never arise, it would be ok because I truly enjoy being a principal. I can’t picture myself working in an office in central office such as personnel director or federal programs director.  I need to be in a position that is tied directly to students.  The only office I can picture myself in at central office is the office of superintendent.  There you make daily decisions that impact the lives of all children in a district. 

Leadership Goal

 My career goals are to become a principal, athletic director or superintendent.  Currently I am a principal and I have met one of my goals.  I currently work at Roma ISD and I would like to finish my career in education in this school district. When I applied for a principal position in our school district they asked me why I wanted to be principal.  One of my responses was, ”I am Roma”.  I love everything about our community and school.  I was raised in our community and school and I am a direct product of our system.  I will do whatever it takes to provide our children with the best education possible.  I will make sure they have the best teachers, best facilities and best resources to be successful in school.  I will be an advocate for the students and all school or community decisions made would be for the best interest of all our students.  If given an opportunity to become superintendent in our district, I will ensure that our district will continue to strive in providing our students with the Best Education in Texas. Lamar University has provided me with the needed educational experience in preparing me in becoming an effective superintendent.  The curriculum I was exposed to has given me the needed tools to being that effective leader.  Roma ISD has earned the recognition by the State as being a Recognized District for the past two years.  My goal as superintendent would be to continue with our high standards in education and ultimately reaching the highest standard of becoming an Exemplary District.

SBEC Self-Assessment and Reflection

EDLD 5399

After I completed my self assessment on the SBEC Superintendent Competencies I compared it to my self assessment I did in EDLD 5396. In this self assessment I have rated myself much higher than I did the first time around.  There are many areas where I rate myself as having a strength in the area and there are still some areas where I feel that I am competent in that area. In Domain 1, Leadership of the Educational Community, I need to focus on the following areas: Maintain awareness of emerging issues and trends affecting public education and communicate their significance to the local educational community.  Encourage and model innovative thinking and risk taking and view problems as opportunities.  Establish partnerships with families, area businesses, institutions of higher education, and community groups to strengthen programs and support district goals.

In Domain 2, Instructional Leadership, I need to focus on the following:  Facilitate the integration of technology into the school district curriculum to enhance learning for all students.  Deliver effective presentations and facilitate learning for both small and large groups. 

In Domain 3, Administrative Leadership, I need to focus on:  Applying procedures for effective budget planning and management.  Facilitating and evaluating effective account auditing and monitoring that complies with legal requirements and local district policy.  Developing and implementing plans for using technology and information systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of school district operations.  Use revenue forecasting and enrollment forecasting to address personnel and budgetary needs accurately.

Lamar University has provided me with the educational experience needed in improving my leadership skills.  I feel that I have many strengths that will make me an effective leader and there are many areas where I can improve in.  I will work hard on improving in the areas I listed above. In education everyday is a learning experience.  I believe I’m an effective principal and my learning experiences as principal and as a student in the Lamar University Superintendent Cohort add to my qualifications of being an effective leader.