Internship Log

D1C1A5 - Every summer I attend the TASSP Legal Digest Law Conference in Austin. This helps me stay abreast of changes in laws that effect education. (8 hours)





D1C2A1 - Each 6 weeks we have a pride rally to recognize students for their accomplishments. This helps in maintaining a positive campus climate. (2 hours)





D1C2A2 - Conduct CPOC meetings as needed to plan for campus improvement. (2 hours each)





D1C2A3 - Attend monthly DEIC meetings to discuss needs of the district. (2 hours each)





D1C2A4 - Each year a campus climate survey is sent out to parents to get their feedback on the effectiveness of the campus. (10 hours)





D1C3A2 - Each 6 weeks a campus newsletter is prepared and sent home to parents. (4 hours)





D1C3A5 - Principal effectiveness survey is developed and given to teachers. The results are studied to learn how I, as a Principal, can improve my job performance. (10 hours)





D1C3A6 - Communicated school related information to a non-English speaking parent, with translation done by the daughter. (1.5 hours)





D1C3A7 - Each year a campus climate survey is sent home to parents to get their feedback on the effectiveness of the campus. (10 hours)





D1C3A8 - Met with members of our internship class to discuss class assignments and plans to work on competencies. (3 hours)





D1C3A12 - Regularly compose letters and send them to parents to inform them of special events and important dates. (10 hours)





D2C1A2 - Attended Margaret 2 day Margaret Kilgo Data Driven Curriculum Training in Austin. (16 hours)





D2C1A3 - Attended Margaret Kilgo's Scope and Sequence Training at Holiday Inn Park Central. (8 hours)



D2C1A4 - Attended a district administrative meeting to discuss information received at Margaret Kilgo Trainings. (2 hours)



D2C1A6 - Attended 2 day Margaret Kilgo Data Driven Curriculum Training in Austin. (16 hours)



D2C1A7 - Worked with central office to develop a budget that would allow for the purchase of SmartBoards, document cameras, and projectors for every classroom. (8 hours)





D3C1A7 - Completed required Highly Qualified reports on each teacher and aide. (3 hours)





D3C2A3 - Conduct 2 disaster drills per month. (1.5 hours)





D3C2A4 - Each year the campus Crisis Management Plan is updated and revised as needed.
(2 hours)

NISD Board Member Interview – Everett Sanderson
EDLD 5371 – Dr. Nicks
Submitted by: Scott Clemmons


Most Important Skill for a Board Member
· Interpersonal skills – must be able to work with other board members and district stakeholders for the best interest of the students


Most Difficult Experience as a Board Member
· Attempting to be diplomatic when faced with a major difference in opinion with district administration.


Greatest Accomplishment as a Board Member
· Greatest accomplishment has not happened yet. Once the search, interview, and hiring processes for a new superintendent are complete, this will be the greatest accomplishment.


Vision of the Future
· Does not feel that the district is broken or needs to be fixed, but believes that it needs to continue to move forward in its present direction. This is not an easy task because of budgetary strains and the inequity of the state financial system, but the district must work through these issues and continue to move forward.

Book Report
Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout- Rick Rigsby, Ph.D.
EDLD 5371
Submitted by: Scott Clemmons


In the book Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout, the author, Rick Rigsby writes about lessons that he has learned from his father, Roger Marion Rigsby. The lessons that discussed in this book can be used to improve one’s personal life, leadership abilities, or both. Rick describes his father as “a third grade dropout, yet the wisest man I have ever met.” He goes on to say “The purpose of this book is to re-acquaint readers with the wisdom – the common sense that was practiced simply and unwittingly by those who represent a generation gone by.”

The book begins at a very low time in Rick’s life. When he was 41 years old his wife passed away after a battle with breast cancer, leaving him and their two young boys to grieve. It was during this time in his life that Rick says that he was merely “existing.” He describes this as just going through the motions, or just making an impression. He says that living this way is only satisfying the minimum requirements. He was ready to give up until something amazing happened that changed his outlook………….He remembered the lessons that his father had taught him years before.

“Kind deeds are never lost.” Rick’s father spoke this phrase every day, but even more than this, he lived it. Rick asks “Is the lack of kindness killing your career?” “Does your lack of kindness affect relationships?” “Your noble quest toward living a complete, enriched life begins simply and unwittingly with a choice to be kind.” Acts of kindness will force you to feel better about yourself and will put you in a better mood. When your mental outlook improves, so does your performance. Rigsby lists potential results from simple acts of kindness, such as:

· A joyful attitude
· A positive outlook
· A peaceful mind
· A pleasant disposition
· A kind word
· A helping hand

Acts of kindness can be as simple as opening doors for others, offering words of encouragement, or smiling at another person. Simply put, the power of kindness can turn a griping, complaining, bitter, self-absorbed employee into one who develops a different mindset, thus a different lifestyle and a different way of speaking.

Lessons on Discipline. Research shows that many companies have changed hiring practices and are hiring retirees with no age limit, rather than recruiting the gifted college graduate. What are the reasons for this change? Basically levels of discipline, according to studies. These workers are dependable, honest, possess a strong work ethic, and are on time. Rick Rigsby’s father believed that discipline begins with arriving on time. Even more than that, he believed in arriving an hour early. This shows commitment to getting the job done, and leads to a more disciplined lifestyle. Unfortunately, we live in a culture where discipline has eroded. The misconception is that finishing first is best. Substance has taken a backseat to style. “Discipline powers your life with the additive of endurance.”

Building Community. This lesson, according to Mr. Rigsby, is all about helping others. He believes that there is something divine about helping others. A key to helping others is to act before asking. When asked, many will politely decline the offer, but when the need is seen and fulfilled, then the individual is surprised, thrilled, awed, and blessed beyond measure. The very best helpers are silent, quiet, and unassuming. In short, helping others forces you to move beyond yourself, restores value in a culture, and releases a positive energy.

Lessons on Excellence. Mr. Rigsby had an undeniable intolerance for mediocrity. He always said “Son, if you’re going to do a job, do it right!” He believed that everything focused on excellence, not conditions. Too often, appearing excellent has become the acceptable societal norm. This is just another case of style replacing substance. These beliefs are based on actions of role models who do not live what they preach. Excellence ought to be a habit, not an act. How would one’s career change if they made a decision to find joy in the process of doing good work? Another lesson on excellence involves listening. Active listening involves thinking, filtering, assimilating, paraphrasing, focusing, retaining, and responding. People who practice active listening are at a significant advantage in the workplace and in relationships. According to Mr. Rigsby, active listening is the key to getting ahead.

Lessons on Character. Rick Rigsby wrote that no virtue was revealed by his father more prominently than character. He believed that a man was not worth much if he could not be trusted to do the right thing at the right time in the right way. Simply stated, character wills the heart and charges the tongue to speak the truth regardless of circumstances. There should be no excuses. We should always admit fault and assume responsibility for our actions. We should always try to live with the ultimate goal of being our best every single day.

Stand. In this final chapter Rick Rigsby goes back to that point in his life when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Prior to this dreadful news, he was on top of the world. He had just finished his Ph.D., they both had jobs that they loved, and they had two healthy children. Life was good. He had also reached the age when he realized and understood that his father’s lessons were worth hearing. This was a far cry from the teenager that he was when he felt these statements were useless rhetoric. When he describes standing, it is a multi-faceted concept. It is a commitment to stand for God, family, and what is right. It means that in difficult times you must learn to hang in there, not quit, not give up…….just stand! When going through all the trials and tribulations associated with his wife’s illness as well as her death, this lesson became paramount for Rick Rigsby. He refers to the concept of just stand as “the best lesson I have ever received. The most profound lesson I have ever been taught.” The simple yet profound words spoken by his father carried him through the tragedy of losing his wife and to a point where he was able to fall in love and marry again. They also carried him later, through the death of his father, and again four years later through the death of his mother.

After his father’s death, Rick Rigsby vowed to thank his father by doing the following:

Being kind to others
Being an hour early
Helping people
Doing a good job
Living a life of integrity
Always standing

As stated at the beginning of this report, these simple lessons will improve not only one’s leadership ability, but also one’s life in general.