Frankly, the going has been slow wrt this SAPD.
Things started well initially: even before meeting my counterpart from CCHY, I have already thought of a few things that I would need help in, particularly assessment of 21CC and C2015 outcomes. After meeting, I quickly listed out a few areas for her to choose: portfolio, CCE program, student leadership, discipline and counselling, character assessment..etc. She has had much experience being Student Development, ECG, CE, NE, etc hence she decided "to help critique on the CCE program in AISS". Quickly, I share with her our newly crafted PD and CCE framework as well as our working document of the PD/ CCE Plan for her to take a look.
However, being the chairman of the Achievement Day Committee delayed our follow up meeting somewhat although I did invite her to our AD to allow her to see and hear our school culture in a different perspective.
We only came to meet again after Achievement Day, on 19th April after much difficulties and re-shuffling. Learning from my own experience as the 'consultant' in my last SAPD, I arranged for the CCE committee member in each of the CCE component to help her to understand our plan as well as for them to hear what types of things are done in her school. They all have a fruitful session with her and some had gotten valuable ideas that they will wish to try out.
We had yet to meet yet since.
Reflecting on both SAPDs experience I had last year as a 'consultant' and this year a 'Host', these are some of my thoughts in respect to the 3 segments (as guided by our principal)
1. Commitment to personal change in leadership philosophies or practices:
i. Challenge the Process (2 of the 5 Exemplary Practices of the KP model)- To improve our own processes, we need others to come in to critique. An 'outside' person will come in with no baggage and properly will not take any baggage away, they do give good critical views. (That was how I felt in my first SAPD, visiting another school).
ii. Willingness to share- for the system to improve and mutually benefitting, we need to be willing to share what we have and not to reserve details. In my first SAPD, they were willing to share what they have and I have benefitted and suggested some changes that was later taken up by the SMC. (revival of Level OLE 3 and level camps together at OLE week)
iii. Being honest in being critical: As Asians, I feel that we are more reserved in being critical... we try to be politically correct, less willing to be confrontational. It will take courage and willingness and openness on both parties (giver and receiver) for us to be really improve. I do need to do that more.
iv. Reading up: there are a lot of materials out there if we make time to read. For me, being more of a hands on person, although it's a struggle, but really have to do more.
2. Plan to implement change to your unit/department policies or practices:
- There is a need to reconcile the chain of command and working policies in this department.
- Within those who directly reports to me, there is a need for more Communication: we get overtaken by urgent things, leaving important critical things like this reflection fall back.
Will update when I meet up with my counterpart again...should be soon.
