LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
1. Demonstrate leadership by collaboratively assessing and improving culture, and climate;

2. Demonstrate leadership by providing purpose and direction for individuals and groups;

3. Model shared leadership and decision-making strategies;
St. James is journeying through a time of visioning.  It is a good time to be an Educational Leader in our district.  As in most opportunities, there is resistance to change; however, a great group of educators have stepped to the plate to form a Middle School Exploration Team.  As a Superintendent, I need to remember how effective this work has been in a short time and replicate its success.  The first step was the most important:  getting the right people to the table.  From there, energy and vision has carried us.  I created a Google Community to keep people informed of discoveries and work and to remain transparent in the journey.                            Middle School Exploration Team - Middle School Team

4. Demonstrate an understanding of issues affecting education;

5. Through a visioning process, formulate strategic plans and goals with staff and community;   
St. James School District's World's Best Workforce (WBWF) report and official documentation were created and completed by me for submission to the Minnesota Department of Education and for approval by our local Board of Education.  As a Superintendent, the information and data gathered during this work needs to be shared with the Board of Education, staff and community.  The challenges a district faces in accessing learning and activities for low-income students are highlighted clearly when presented in a direct and engaging manner.
       World's Best Work Force presentation for public and website - WBWF
       World's Best Work Force summary for MDE submission - Summary

6. Set priorities in the context of stakeholder needs;
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7. Serve as a spokesperson for the welfare of all learners in a multicultural context;
I was charged with gathering the data and information for the required Achievement and Integration Progress Report and narrative for St. James Public Schools.  We are the host for our Integration Collaborative, working with area districts that are racially isolated.  While completing the report and narrative, I was reminded about the impact that low-income and students of color have on our school - both the challenges and the blessings.  Schools with little to no students of color may see education from a narrower lens; while in St. James we must continually widen our lens and take a broad angle view while planning and preparing.
       St. James Achievement and Integration Narrative 2015-2017 - Narrative and Plan
      
8. Understand how education is impacted by local, state, national, and international events;

9. Demonstrate the ability to facilitate and motivate others;

10. Demonstrate the ability to implement change or educational reform.