I was given the opportunity to serve at a Title I school in Manatee County, Rogers Garden Elementary School for the 2012-2013 school year.  

Our Mission

GROWING TOGETHER AS WE PLANT SEEDS TO LEARN, DREAM AND SUCCEED

Districts Mission

The mission of the Manatee County School District is to inspire our students with a passion for learning, empowered to pursue their dreams confidently and creatively while contributing to our community, nation and world. 

Vision

Our vision is to support student experiences that will provide them the tools to be successful individuals and members of our community.  

Our demographics are as follows:

•97.8 % Economically Disadvantaged
(based on survey 3 data 2011 – 2012)
•51.30% Black
•47.83% Hispanic
• .87% Other
 •26.87% ESE
 •37% ELL

Rogers Garden Elementary School opened in 2009 as the disctrict's first Green LED Certified school.  It opened as a "choice" school with no predetermined drawn district boundaries.  The thought, as expressed by current administration, resigned board members, and community members alike is that Rogers Garden Elementary would pull from a diverse population due to the appeal of the "First EVER Green LED Certified" school.  The school opened in 2009 pulling largely from the local community.  This was a high-needs population.  The unique needs of the student's coupled with a lesser experienced staff is one hypothesis for the fact that the school scored an F on the FCAT for the 2008-2009 school years.  The following year returned a second F, at which time administration was changed.  Ms. Broomes came in during the 2010-2011 school year with the school growing by 48 points during this first year under new administration.  This could be considered a paradigm shfit.  This 2010-2011 year marked the year of the "Increased Complexity FCAT."  Rogers Garden Elementary was one of only three Title I schools that improved in Manatee County this year and in fact many schools, including some affluent schools, saw a decline in their overall grade.  Not only was Rogers Garden Elementary  one of three Title I schools to show improvement, they also held the title for the greatest marked improvement in the district.

My Experience:

It has been quite the journey and growth opportunity for me at Rogers Garden Elementary.  Upon learning that I would be placed at Rogers Garden Elementary for the 2012-2013 school year, my Administrator, Ann Broomes reached out to me.  I worked collaboratively with my previous administrator and Ms. Broomes to identify a schedule that would allow me an opportunity to "shadow" the Assistant Principal during the last quarter of the 2011-2012 school year.  Mr. Simmons, Assistant Principal during 2010-2012, would leave Rogers Garden Elementary and I would be placed as an Intern assuming the roles of the Assistance Principal while developing as a leader.  This time to shadow at Rogers Garden Elementary was a wealth of knowledge. Not only was I provided an opportunity to see the day-to-day oeprations, I was also able to view the general expectations of the role I would be assuming during this journey.  I was privileged to sit on on the Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) meeting as well as the Final State Instructional Review (IR) with the Florida Department of Education (DOE.)  Rogers Garden Elementary is under state sanctions and receives support from the DOE under Differentiated Accountabilty (DA.)   

This opportunity allowed me to better understand the vision that I was going to be tasked with supporting.  Ms. Broomes had very articulated goals for the future of Rogers Garden Elementary School.

I would be asked to support her vision which consisted of the following:

• Student and Staff Relationships
• Better Utilization/Integration of Data with regard to the MTSS process
• Teacher Independence/Capacity with regard to the MTSS process
• Restructuring of the MTSS process
• Moving students toward proficiency

Allowing me an opportunity to see what this process looked like prior to coming into the school year gave me a basis upon which to understand the direction she wanted to move towards.  As our summer discussions began in the summer of 2012, I could understand her purpose and desire for moving forward.  My greatest focus has been on the area of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for our learners.  Many of the projects related to student achievement and discipline hinge on this system. 

The remainder of this portfolio will guide you through much of my journey.  Not every moment included a written reflection, but the strength of my experience was the vast amount of conversational reflections that took place every day.  Ms.  Broomes is skillful in the art of "reflection."  Our reflections took place, not monthly or weekly, but rather daily and hourly.  She was my biggest supporter and advocate and most importantly a true mentor.  If frustration would begin to seep in, she would require me to be reflective on my actions, thoughts or words.  She routinely challenged me to be reflective in my practice and to look at myself as a leader before beginning to get frustrated with others around me.  She often asked what could you have done or said differently or more consicely to change the outcome?  This reflective process has become somewhat natural now.  I am continually reflecting on my practice of a leader and mindful about the decisions I make.  This is the biggest thing I am taking away from my practicum.

The opportunities for growth are innumerous.  They are reflected through my resume and through some of the projects that I am presenting here in this portfolio.  I am grateful for this year-long expereince.  There are things I have come to know that I never would have if only been given an 80 hour practicum experience, ongoing projects and real collaborative efforts that have come out of this relationship.  One can never become a part of the school culture in 80 hours of practicum experience.  I have authentic experiences and have taken theory to practice in such a way that has made this experience real and relevant, not only to me as a developing leader, but also to Ms. Broomes and the students and staff at Rogers Garden Elementary.

I can honestly say that changes have occurred.  I have come to know and believe what a wise professor once said to me ...CHANGE IS A PROCESS, NOT AN EVENT.  We are amidst change every day.  The question I have to ask myself is ...Is this change moving us towards a new level of success?  I believe my answer to that is a resounding "yes."  We are not where we want to be as a school, but we are certainly putting one foot in front of the other every day moving towards excellence.  I am not responsible for the transformation, but I am confident I am a part of it.  We are learning and growing in our relationships, capacity to move students, discipline structures and with providing support for all students.  There are still obstacles with situations and individuals daily.  Some days it even feels as though we are running backwards.  But if I stand back and reflect over the year, evidence is there to demonstrate that every individual has grown in some capacity.  I am so proud of where we have come collectively in understanding the needs of our learners but also recognize that we have a long way to go.  I am excited to see the journey and the transformation of this community.