Comprehensive Leadership Interview Assignment
Shadowing and Interview
You are to interview an administrative/leadership team (a principal and an assistant principal) and then shadow him or her for the day (if possible). Then you are to write a four to five-page reflection piece (adhering to the usual format).
Using as a framework the class reads and discussions on effective principal leadership, interview a principal and an assistant principal about the practices he or she carries out as a school site leader. If possible, audiotape the interviews, as this will provide the necessary data to complete the written portion of the assignment. Be sure to ask permission to audiotape and indicate that no names will be used to identify the respondent (If they wish to remain anonymous, you can say Mr. ABC from XYZ school).
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to conduct an in-depth interview with an educational leader to explore three critical areas of leadership practice:
1.
Strategic and Operational Planning
2.
Conflict Resolution and Problem Solving
3.
Instructional Leadership
The interview will provide practical insights into leadership approaches, align them with scholarly literature, and allow for reflection on the implications for your own educational leadership practice.
Assignment Requirements
1.
Introduction
· Introduce the leader: name, job title, organization, and date of interview.
· The leadership name is Cecilia Guilarte her job title is Principal at Somerset Academy South Miami date of interview September 23rd, 2025.
· Provide background on the leader’s professional and academic career.
· Cecilia Guilarte went to Florida International University and Graduated with her bachelors in Early Childhood Education she then continued her career and went to the University of Florida which is where she graduated with her masters in Educational Leadership. Cecilia Guilarte was a teacher for 18 years and then on her 19th year her Sister in Law Guilarte Gill resigned as principal at Somerset Academy South Miami and which is when Cecilia Guilarte was promoted and became principal. Cecilia Guilarte has now been a principal at Somerset Academy South Miami for 5 years.
· State the purpose of the interview and why these topics are central to effective educational leadership.
Possible interview questions for this section
:
1. Please tell me about your professional and academic background and what inspired you to pursue a career as an assistant principal/principal.
2. Can you tell me about your current role and responsibilities?
3. How long have you been in your current position, and what led you to this role?
2.
Strategic & Operational Planning (Part I)
Summarize and analyze the leader’s responses to guiding questions such as:
· How they define strategic and operational planning.
· Key differences between the two.
· Who is responsible for planning and execution.
· The role of the Board of Directors (or equivalent).
· Their personal process for strategic and operational planning.
· How they develop and apply mission/vision statements. (How would you describe your mission and vision statements for your school? What is the difference between the two?
· How they communicate plans to stakeholders.
· How they measure outcomes in relation to strategic goals.
3.
Conflict Resolution & Problem Solving (Part II)
Summarize and analyze the leader’s responses to guiding questions such as:
· Examples of significant conflicts faced and how they were resolved.
· Strategies for conflict resolution among staff, students, or stakeholders.
· Methods for fostering open communication and trust.
· Training or professional development that strengthened their skills.
· Approaches to complex problem solving and decision-making frameworks/models used.
· How they involve their team in solutions.
· How they balance urgency vs. thorough analysis.
· Methods for assessing effectiveness of strategies.
4.
Instructional Leadership
· What does the term “instructional leadership” mean to you?
· Please describe one or more instructional dilemmas you have faced as a principal/assistant principal.
· How did you resolve these dilemmas? Why did you choose to resolve them as you did?
· How do you analyze data? How does your analysis frame your classroom visits?
· How and how often do you give feedback to teachers based on your walkthroughs and observations?
5.
Analysis & Reflection
· Connect insights from all three domains to leadership theory and literature (APA-cited).
· Compare their approaches with your own leadership beliefs and previous experiences.
· Identify themes that overlap between
planning and
problem solving (e.g., communication, data use, stakeholder engagement).
· Reflect on what surprised you or challenged your thinking.
6.
Conclusion
· Summarize the key lessons learned from the interview.
· Highlight implications for your own leadership growth and possible applications in practice or future research.
Formatting & Submission
· Length:
4–5 pages double-spaced (approx. 1000–1500 words) (
if needed may go to 6-7 pages, but do not exceed this amount).
· Use
APA 7th edition for citations and references.
· Include at least
two scholarly sources in addition to the interview.
Organize with clear headings (e.g.,
Introduction, Strategic & Operational Planning, Conflict Resolution & Problem Solving, Instructional Leadership, Analysis & Reflection, Conclusion).
