Course Reflection: From Vision to Impact

Introduction

When this course began, I expected to learn about digital publication and how to organize ideas into a professional format. What I didn’t expect was how much I would learn about myself as a leader and communicator. Over these eight weeks, I didn’t just complete assignments, I built a story that reflects my growth, leadership, and “why” as an educator.  From the start, I wanted my work to center around Hillcrest School and my Innovation Plan, strengthening our broadband and using GoGuardian to help teachers feel confident and supported with technology. This idea mattered to me, but this course helped me shape it into something bigger. Each assignment connected my personal experiences, professional goals, and leadership philosophy into a unified vision for meaningful change.

Evaluation of Successes

A major success this term was learning to connect my innovation plan, leadership reflections, and classroom experiences into one clear message. The Publication Outline helped me clarify my purpose, but through revision and reflection, I found my authentic voice. My “emotional immune system” idea, staying calm and grounded amid chaos, proved vital not just in teaching, but in leading others through change. I also discovered how digital tools can tell genuine stories, as shown in my Media Project, where visuals and reflection worked together to communicate both purpose and heart. Lessons from EDLD 5304: Leading Organizational Change and the Crucial Conversations framework (Patterson et al., 2021) reinforced the importance of communicating honestly and calmly, creating trust and psychological safety in both my writing and leadership.
Areas of Growth or Improvement

Even with progress, I see areas to grow. I sometimes focus too early on structure and formatting instead of letting ideas flow freely. Moving forward, I want to start with creativity and voice then polish later.  I also want to continue improving in collaboration. I contributed regularly to group discussions, but I often stayed in the encourager role rather than pushing deeper thinking. In the future, I hope to act more as a thought partner—offering honest feedback and asking the kinds of questions that help others refine their work. Crucial Conversations reminded me that avoiding tough dialogue limits growth; real collaboration happens when people feel safe enough to share and challenge ideas respectfully (Patterson et al., 2021). That’s the culture I want to continue building at Hillcrest.

Summary and Reflection of Assignments

Publication Outline – This assignment helped shape my vision. I explored Hillcrest’s journey toward adopting GoGuardian and improving broadband access, showing how reliable technology empowers teachers and supports student engagement.  

Publication Rough Draft – Here, I began weaving in personal stories, like how being a father taught me patience and balance, lessons that now guide my leadership style. Feedback encouraged me to expand on equity and explore how digital tools can support all teachers and students, not just those with strong access or confidence.  

Media Project – This project was one of the highlights of the course. It allowed me to share my story in a creative and personal way through voice and visuals. I saw firsthand how reflection and storytelling can reach others emotionally while reinforcing professional credibility.  

Publication Final Draft – This final piece brought everything together. With revisions and stronger organization, I refined my tone and message. The finished version now represents who I am as a leader.

Reflection on Collaborative Discussion Group

Our discussion group was an essential part of my learning experience. I appreciated the honesty, humor, and encouragement everyone brought. These exchanges reminded me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice,  it’s about listening and responding with empathy. 

Through these interactions, I learned that my calm nature is something others notice and appreciate. A few peers mentioned how my “emotional immune system” approach gave them a new perspective on leadership. That was meaningful for me because it showed that modeling composure can influence others’ confidence. If I could change anything, I would begin deeper collaboration earlier in the term, giving us more time to build on one another’s ideas.  

Conclusion

This course helped connect every piece of my professional growth. It transformed isolated projects into a cohesive digital publication strategy that reflects who I am as a teacher and leader. What’s working is my ability to communicate vision through authenticity, using my experiences and calm leadership to connect with others.  I can still improve by taking more creative risks and continuing to challenge myself beyond what feels comfortable. But most of all, I’ve learned that progress doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from reflection, consistent effort, and courageous conversations. This course, and my learning from Crucial Conversations in EDLD 5304, reminded me that leadership begins with how we communicate, listen, and build trust.

References

GoGuardian Help Center. (2024, June 4). Dashboard overview. GoGuardian.

https://support.goguardian.com/s/article/Dashboard-Overview-1629767891993  

Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., Switzler, A., & Switzler, E. (2021). Crucial

                conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high (3rd ed.). McGraw-                     Hill Education.