Vice-Principal Selection Process Stage Two

Professional Discussion/Problem-Solving

November 8, 2017

Purpose

• This session is intended to support

candidates in preparation for the

professional discussion

• Please refer to Preparing for the Vice-

Principal Selection Process

Handbook, pages 10-12.

Norms for Working Together

• Here to learn collaboratively

• Challenge each other in a respectful

way

• Move each other’s thinking

Inclusion Activity

Reflect on and share an experience in your

professional career that you regularly return to: one

which energizes, sustains or motivates you in your

work.

Content of Session

• Timelines

• The process

• Readying yourself

Timelines

• Between November 6-7th – email notification to all candidates of their status after Stage 1

• If requested by candidate, telephone feedback from a committee member within two weeks of request

• November 30 and December 1st – Stage 2 meetings at a central location (8:30-4:30). Committee member will be in touch with details if you are moving forward to Stage 2

Timelines (cont’d)

• December 6th - VP Selection Process Workshop Stage 3

• December 11th – Recommendations to proceed to Stage 3 (interview) to Senior Team

• December 11th (PM) and December 12th –Candidates notified of status for Stage 3

• December 14th and 15th (9:00-4:30) – Stage 3 Interviews (EC Aurora)

About the Process

• Stage 2 will be conducted at a centralized location

• Bring a laptop with a USB port; a memory stick will be provided to you as needed

• Make every effort to ensure your availability on November 30th and December 1st, as these are the only days for stage 2 meetings.

Stage 2

1. Professional Discussion (30 min)

• Two committee members meet with candidate and supervisor to

discuss written submission

• Opportunity for returning candidates to highlight their growth since

the last application by showing how previous feedback has

supported readiness for this application.

2. Check in with Supervisor of the Candidate (10 min)

• Candidate takes a break – steps out of room

Stage 2 (cont’d)

3. Problem-Solving Scenario (10 min)

• Candidate gives a verbal response

4. Reflection Exercise (break for candidate)

• Candidate ‘collect his/her thoughts’ and returns to reflect on

his/her verbal response to the scenario (5 - 10 min)

5. Written Task (30 min)

• Candidate completes a written communication related to the

scenario (type of written communication will be outlined)

Stage 2 Process

Part 1

Discussion about written submission from Stage 1

• Who: You, your principal, 2 selection committee members

• What: Probing questions about content of your written submission

– Will open with: An opportunity to comment further on anything of particular significance related to your work that you would like to highlight or elaborate on for the team

– Answer questions from the committee members

– Base answers on practices and competencies from the OLF as well as from the 3 areas of Personal Leadership Resources (Cognitive, Social, Psychological)

– Returning Candidates - part of the dialogue will be an opportunity to highlight your growth since the last application. This is an opportunity to show how previous feedback has supported your readiness for this application.

Overall, the committee is looking for

added depth to their understanding of

your leadership

For the last 10 minutes you will be asked

to leave as the committee continues the

discussion with your principal

Readying Yourself

Part 1Work with an elbow partner

1. Identify and highlight key areas in each other’s written submission that you feel might become the areas about which the assessors may choose to probe. Use the OLF as a guide to anticipate the types of questions that might be asked.

2. List possible probing questions or statements.

3. Create possible responses to these identified probe areas.

Stage 2 Process

Part 2 A problem-solving scenario

• Who: You, 2 selection committee members

• What: 1. Oral response to a typical problem-solving scenario

encountered by a VP in any of our schools today (how you would address the problem)

1. Oral reflection on your oral response with the committee members (comment on how you responded to the problem, what you might have missed, how you might have answered differently)

1. Create a written communication to a stakeholder group relative to this scenario (30 min)

Readying Yourself

Part 2

1. Brainstorm possible themes for scenarios

2. Consider how to respond to a variety of scenarios (i.e. how you would address the situation as a vice-principal).

3. Identify possible written communication

Brainstorm

Possible themes of situations VPs may face in their work

Suggested Themes•Parental engagement - how might you build relationships

in the community

•Religious accommodations

•Questions about math - comprehensive math program

•Healthy act of living curriculum and accommodations

•Equity – equity to access

•Caring and Safe schools

•Special Education - how do we meet our students’

needs?

•Scheduling and supervision - collective agreement?

•Culture of collaborative professionalism - structures in

place?

•Mental Health

Scenario - Individually

Each person selects one scenario from

the envelope.

Respond individually to the scenario

- What is the theme?

- Who is involved?

- Identify VP actions required – short term and long term

- Record on chart paper

Looks Fors Evidence

Demonstrates awareness of the issue(s) as cited in the specific ‘look

fors’ for the scenario

Identifies appropriate intervention strategies:

a) Immediate action

b) Long-term follow up strategies, if needed

Recognizes and values the interests of all involved; knows who to

consult/include; builds a sense of team in the resolution of the issue

Describes an understanding of and the need for communication

strategies to address the needs of all stakeholders (student, parent,

staff)

References applicable Board policies and procedures/ministry

expectations

References follow-up documentation required

Understands labour relation implications where applicable

Demonstrates effective ‘personal leadership resources’ such as

problem-solving expertise, ability to perceive emotions, ability to

manage emotions, ability to act in emotionally appropriate ways,

shows optimism, self-efficacy and resilience

Other:

Scenario - Sharing

Take turns sharing your scenarios and

your “solutions”

Provide input and suggestions

Record ideas on chart

As a group, identify possible written

communication

Scenario – Whole Group Sharing

Personal Reflection

What might be some of your next

steps?

Most Important Point

•Reflect on the session

and select a Most

Important Point (MIP)

•Share with an elbow

partner