Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Gloria Kuchinskas
Committee Member
Betty Boult
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
administrator responsibility, administrator role, administrative intern, attendance, campus safety, classroom teachers, discipline, educational administration, extra curricular activities, facilities usage, first year principals, Gulf Shores Middle School, GSMS, managerial responsibilities, middle schools, personnel skills, scheduling, school atmosphere, school procedures, schoolwide administration, staff relations, student honors, student learning, student scheduling, supervision, teacher evaluations, teacher-staff relationships, truancy, workplace transition
Abstract
This applied dissertation describes the writer’s first 12 months as the administrative intern at Gulf Shores Middle School (GSMS). The purposes of this dissertation were to (a) determine the procedures, conditions, and atmosphere of the school when the position was accepted; (b) determine which procedures were working effectively and which required overhaul, replacement, or removal; and (c) determine administrative priorities for the following school year.
A point of concern about the new position was that the writer had been a classroom teacher at GSMS for 9 years and had built a strong camaraderie with fellow teachers. The move from peer to supervisor can cause problems for both a new administrator and the teachers who used to confide in her. An additional point of concern was that the writer’s husband was a teacher in the same school. The primary duties of the new position included (a) student discipline, (b) student scheduling, (c) attendance and truancy, (d) campus safety, (e) teacher evaluations, (f) supervision of extra curricular activities, (g) recognition of students for academic and non-academic honors, and (h) scheduling of school facilities usage.
The writer’s first year as an administrative intern was successful but humbling. The ideas and policies brought from the classroom and graduate programs were not as applicable schoolwide and were not as well-received by the staff as had been hoped. The realization that some teachers were not willing to put forth the effort necessary to improve student learning was disheartening. The writer’s strengths in the position included strength in the area of managerial responsibilities, which most closely met her own preconceived expectations. It is expected to take time and experience to develop proficient personnel skills.