1) According to the Mott reading, one of the five listed staff competencies includes the “ability to effectively carry out program operations and policies to achieve program goals and meet needed requirements” (pg 11). This competency includes understanding basic safety and the procedures to provide a healthy program. It also includes knowing when to report certain situations and who to involve. This competency also addresses paperwork for incidences and how to communicate such situations with staff and parents. I find this competency one of my strengths. I used to work for an afterschool program so I know what it takes to adequately run a program. I understand the basic safety of running a program and the rules to enforce to provide a safe and healthy environment. I have been properly trained in the procedures that follow child abuse reports, harmful behavior, and the process of informing and involving a supervisor. I have also gained experience in communicating with parents about incidences during program and documenting such events.
One of the five listed staff competencies that I always feel that I can improve on is “commitment to one’s own learning, skill building and professionalism on the job” (pg 10). This competency includes committing to learning and growing in leadership and training. It also includes working toward building new skills, work ethic, and professionalism in the workplace. I am always trying to learn new things and to keep up with changes to education and the world in a whole. The world is constantly changing. In education, new policies are always being presented. When common core started, many of my coworkers were confused and unable to understand how to help students with math homework. Thankfully, they are many resources for educators to better understand things like common core. I still need much improvement in things like common core.
2) The leadership quality which I find the most important is the “Ability to engage, and support afterschool educators in implementing program activities to achieve program goals” (pg 13). This quality includes providing staff with needed supplies for activities, prep time, good communication, staff mentorship, and trainings for staff. I believe this quality is important because program staff need support. In order to run a successful program, staff should be equipped with needed supplies and materials so that activities can be prepared and delivered. If materials are not provided, students miss out on activities. Staff mentorship is important because staff need to be supported and encouraged. Working with children can be difficult. Sometimes help is needed. Mentorship provides growth and accountability. A program can only grow from it. Training for growth and development in education is so important. In my experience, trainings have only helped better programs. In working for the afterschool program Give Every Child a Chance, I was lucky enough to work for a company that provided every bit of this quality. Whenever I led activities, materials were always provided along with prep time to ensure the activity could happen for students. My company provided us with proper training every year on current subjects and topics that could be helpful in our classrooms. Some trainings for example were on classroom management, working with children with special needs, and even a common core math training. All of these helped shape our program and support staff.