UPAL Project 1 - COHORT V - Group A: Nisaini, Tatiana, Bobby, and Jenn

Nisaini: GRACE

A.    I opted for the word grace. My image had this word etched out in cursive followed by a heart with a pulse visible inside.

B.    Grace is an anchor element in my life. I need grace daily to accomplish what the day affords me. Professionally and personally, attempting to exude grace is a priority and goal of mine. Grace keeps me grounded and reminds me of the conviction and purpose for my life.

3. Allow the opportunity for students to unleash and tap into their ingenuity--that we’d harness and identify their hidden strengths and talents.
4. A servant leader employs grace. By doing so, the opportunity for others creativity is able to seep through. There are so many unknown variables that are at play when serving as a leader. With that, having a gracious approach makes that work both attainable and sustainable.

Tatiana: BALANCE

A.    The law scale and the word “balance” placed at the center of my work of art has a chain attached to symbols/ images that represent faith, family, education, direction, people around the world, and various obligations/activities all interconnected.

B.    Balance represents the many hats educators wear and the chain represents how each educator might be attached to the many things at the same time achieving balance.

3. Students need to be able to express their feelings and thinking through art. May values, personal beliefs and struggles, aspirations can be revealed through art.
4. Balance is vital in a principal’s life.

Bobby:  CHANGE

A.    UPAL encourages us to foster the idea of promoting creativity in our schools. The word CHANGE is shown to move from past practices to new, creative practices. The change creates a brighter future.

B.    I chose this in order to reflect on my overall experience at UPAL.

3. Principals should understand that creativity is needed in our schools and can be a powerful tool to spark motivation.
4. I’ve learned that creativity, when fostered, nourished, and developed within our schools, produces innovative and motivated citizens.

Jenn: PRESENCE

My square represents presence.  Being present shows that you are interested, invested, and care.  I think principals need to understand that fostering creativity opens the human mind to experience endless possibilities, if guided effectively.  Without developing creativity, we would not have the advancements we have today.  School principals can themself be creative and use those creative talents to build and maintain positive school climate and culture.  Principals have more power and ability then they sometimes perceive.