Brennon Sapp

EDUC A695

Fall 2005

VISITATION AND SHADOW EXPERIENCE

(Number One)

Principal: Michael Huffman

School: Grayson County High School

School Address: 340 School House Rd.

Leitchfield, KY 40031

School Corporation/District: Grayson County

Date: October 17, 2005

School Demographics:

(Enrollment) / 1,124
Grade 9 / 341
Grade 10 / 281
Grade 11 / 259
Grade 12 / 237
White (%) / 98.0
Black (%) / 0.6
Hispanic (%) / 0.6
Asian/Pacific Islander (%) / 0.3
American Indian/Alaska Native (%) / 0.0
Economically Disadvantaged (%) / 34.1
English Language Learners (%) / 0.0
Students with Disabilities (%) / 8.9
Migrant (%) / 0.5
Female (%) / 50.7
Male (%) / 49.3
Grade 9 (%) / 28.6
Grade 10 (%) / 27.2
Grade 11 (%) / 24.1
Grade 12 (%) / 19.5

Activities of the Day:

·  Answer emails

·  Review Schedule for the day

·  Morning and Afternoon Bus Duty

·  Contact area Principals to schedule freshman academy visits

·  Collaborate team of teachers to make freshman academy visits

·  Visit 12 different classrooms for two to five minute visits and record data

·  Show up to a specific position in the hall for tardy sweeps

·  Conference with five different students on discipline issues

·  Conference with two different sets of parents on discipline issues

·  Lunch Duty

·  Kentucky Intern Teacher Meeting with University Supervisor, Teacher Supervisor, and Intern Teacher

·  Meet with counselor concerning the analysis of school scores with teachers in the building

Personal Reflection:

This was an exciting/high energy day. Mr. Huffman appears to be a very involved energetic principal. Many teachers, upon discovering my shadowing of him, asked me if I were able to keep up. He got much accomplished during the day and seemed to always be where he was supposed to be.

When I showed up to meet Mr. Huffman, who was already on the job an hour and a half before the first bell, I noticed how few items were on his desk. When I asked him about it, he responded by claiming he never leaves the office until his desk is clean. It sounds great, but I believe he is simply organized and has files of tasks to perform. All through the day however, he seemed to move from one task to another without a stray thought or problem.

I was impressed by Mr. Huffman’s positive attitude and work ethic. Even on bus duty, he would stand by the bus door to meet and greet students as they exited the bus. He would often say a kind word to the drivers and parents as the opportunities arose. Additionally, each and every violation of dress code or conduct was attended to immediately. His approach to the students was straight forward and respectful. The only emotions he exposed were slight disappointment or concern. This theme would continue throughout the day. Following the rules and doing “the right thing” seemed to be an expectation. Many students would actually flash hall passes at Mr. Huffman before he asked for them. When we stepped into a classroom, the students responded to him while continuing with class. It is obvious he is in the classrooms and hallway regularly.

Spending the day with Mr. Huffman was inspiring and challenging. His positive energy and work ethic is defining. His organization and attitude affects each and every person in the school. That one person could consistently perform so well, challenges me to incorporate these qualities into my own job performance.