What Is Working and What I Can Do Better

 5389 Developing Effective Professional Leadership challenged me both academically and personally. There were times when my circumstances made it difficult to stay on track, and I found myself working late into the night, struggling to keep up. Despite those obstacles, I never gave up. The support of my family, especially my daughter and husband, reminded me of why I started this journey and gave me the strength to push through. Their belief in me helped me stay committed to completing the work, even when it felt overwhelming. This experience taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of self-confidence. I’ve realized that I am capable of achieving my goals, even when faced with adversity. Moving forward, I plan to build more confidence in my work and trust in my ability to contribute meaningfully to my learning and the learning of others. I completed all course activities on time and used all the readings, videos, and resources to guide my work. I recognize that time management remains an area for improvement. I will continue to improve by planning and being more proactive about seeking help when needed.

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Collaboration and Peer Support

Collaboration was one of the most rewarding parts of EDLD 5389. I worked closely with Ayla Rightenour, Ann Zastryzny, Leslie Gutierrez, Angela Speck, and Kelsie Adams. Our group evolved beyond a simple class collaboration into a true support system and friendship. We quickly transitioned to regular group texts, on Groupme where we reviewed assignments, offered each other feedback, and encouraged one another throughout the semester. We even shared personal stories, which made our learning space feel supportive and human. Although I didn’t take on a formal leadership role in our group, I contributed regularly to discussions and supported others through feedback and meaningful conversation. Our teamwork reflected the very essence of effective professional learning collaborative, supportive, and growth-focused.

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Revising and Reflecting​

Throughout the course, I took revision seriously. I carefully considered the feedback I received and used it to improve my PL strategy, implementation plan, and final presentation. The instructor’s guidance helped me identify areas where I could clarify my messaging or improve alignment with the five key principles of professional learning. Each round of revision allowed me to grow as both a learner and a designer of professional development, and I took pride in applying that feedback to make my work stronger.

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Course Engagement and Contributions

I consistently engaged with the course by watching all assigned videos, completing readings, and using the supporting resources provided. I participated in discussion boards, responded to comments on my work, and posted in a timely manner to allow others the opportunity to give feedback. I stayed committed to the course and did my best to meet expectations. I believe I fulfilled all major expectations for the course and made consistent, meaningful contributions to my own learning and to the learning of my peers.

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Final Self-Assessment

Overall, I believe I made strong contributions in EDLD 5389. I collaborated effectively, revised my work based on feedback, stayed engaged in class discussions, and completed assignments on time. Although I didn’t step into a formal leadership role I stayed dedicated to the learning process and pushed through difficult moments with resilience and heart.

Self-assigned grade: 90/100