Erin Bigler Administrative Internship
Do what you feel in your heart to be right–for you’ll be criticized anyway. —Eleanor Roosevelt
Policy and Law Artifacts
Case Studies
Policy and law was one area that I did not have a lot of experience or familiarity with, prior to beginning my administrative program. One of the biggest learning experiences was through my Policy and Law class. I never knew the rich history of court cases that have shaped educational policy and laws today. Some of the critical takeaways from these past case studies involve a better understanding of student rights, issues of confidentiality, and best practices when it comes to addressing situations where you may have to ask students questions or conduct searches.
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GSA vs. Spearman (Feb. 26, 2020) is an example of a legal case study I had the opportunity to research and present during my Policy and Law course. This particular case involved the legal rights of LGBT youth, and their desire to have a more inclusive sexual education curriculum. Click here to view the presentation.
Disciplinary Procedures
Another new area of learning for me were some of the specifics around disciplinary procedures, both for students and staff members. I had never heard of a Tennessen warning or had awareness of the paperwork involved, such as letters of directive or letters of expectation. I think, whenever faced with disciplinary issues, it is wise to contact HR for legal guidance and be sure that you are compiling a thorough system of documentation, while also ensuring that involved parties are aware of their personal rights and protections.
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Linked here, is a presentation I was able to find from our school's union representative, which outlines some of the discipline procedures and provides helpful examples of Tennessen warnings.
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Additionally, this form (click here) is an example of the documentation the administrative team uses at the high school when dealing with behavioral conflicts between two peers.
Washington County Training:Â School Resource Officers and Administrators
I was invited to attend a training through our county that touched on a variety of topics that fit nicely with the policy and law competency. The main points of the training included:
Drugs on social media and student use
Recent Child Sexploitation Cases
Trauma Informed Care
Transgender 101
Understanding Social Identity, Implicit Bias, & Self Awareness
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Some of my biggest takeaways were related to drug use and social media. These issues seem to be less pervasive at the elementary level, and it is good to be aware of the potential dangers our older students face. I feel more confident in knowing the "look fors" involving students who might be in difficult situations involving drug use and social media.