K-12 Superintendent Internship and Competency Summary

1. K-12 Superintendent Internship and Competency Summary Neal P. Thao Saint Mary’s University

2. Agenda • Introduction • K-12 Superintendent Competencies • Questions and Comments

3. NOBLE ACADEMY • Noble Academy, K-8 Charter School • 4021 Thomas Avenue NorthMinneapolis, MN 55412 • Student population:  500 Students; 95% Hmong and 5% other • Noble Academy Administrative Mentor:  Randall Bergman, Assistant to CEO • Saint Mary's University Advisor: Dr. Beverly Stofferahn

4. NOBLE ACADEMY (continues) • Through my three months (January 9-March 27, 2013) internship experience with Noble, I completed the following: • Resolved copier issue; • Revised policies, staff handbook and family handbook; • Signed vendors' contracts; • Proposed salary increase and a onetime bonus for both licensed and non-licensed staff; • Implemented procurement policy and invitation for bid for food services vendors; • Explored sites for next board retreat; • Wrote licensed and non-licensed evaluations; • Researched and refined calendar 2013-2014 school year; • Discussed lease options with Landlord; • Reviewed IRS 1023 Form to acquire non-profit affiliation status for Noble Academy; • Met with Pupil Dismissal Team  and approved a summary document for Noble's Board of Directors; • Reviewed general counsel's contract; • Worked with Student Account Specialist to pay bills; • Prepared for Special Education Audit and managed Noble's Special Education Audit with MDE; • Acted as administrative representative at an IEP meeting; • Visited a family whose house caught on fire; • Reviewed staff attendance taking data and had accountability conversations with impacted individuals; • Investigate racist complaint;

5. NOBLE ACADEMY (continues) • Met with Noble Board Chair to go over board election process and procedure; • Reviewed NWEA data • Attended board meeting and met board of directors; • Revised policies, reviewed contracts and conducted staff evaluations; • Interviewed candidates and hired staff; • Planed and prepared for school board meeting; • Wrote improvement plans; • Met with potential vendors to discuss Noble's technology options; • Revised Noble's Truancy letter; • Reviewed HR policies; • Met with Noble's Title Grant specialist; • Prepared and answered questions and phone calls

6. CROSSLAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOL • Crosslake Community School, K-8 Charter School • 36974 County Road 66 • Crosslake, MN 56442 • Student population:  150 Students; 97.8% White, 1.5% Black and 0.7% American Indian • Crosslake Administrative Mentor:  Tami Martin, Executive Director/K-8 Principal/Superintendent • Saint Mary's University Advisor: Dr. Beverly Stofferahn

7. CROSSLAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOL (continues) • Through my forty hours (February 22 through March 27, 2013) internship experience with Crosslake Community School, I completed the following: • Skyped with Tami Martin to discuss my role and responsibilities; • Interviewed MS, ESL teachers and Paraprofessional Assistant; • Updated Noble's 501c3 Building company status to Board of Directors; • Discussed role and responsibilities for both licensed and non-licensed staff with Dr. Chang; • Prepared for Noble's board meeting.  I spent time collecting and compiling information for the board meeting, I also spent time drafting Director's Report; • Attended regular board meeting by sharing my personal; • Interviewed K-8 candidates for2013-2014 school year; • Met with Noble's Board of Director Chairperson, Attorney Ethan Yang, to discuss and plan for the next school year; • Reviewed NWEA data to prepare for next staff meeting; • Wrote E-Rate contracts for different providers; • Wrote improvement plans for staff; • Met and discussed options with a Board of Director whose seat will be expired in June 30; • Met and have an accountability conversation with teacher who has been struggling to make improvement regardless of all the support we have been providing for him; • Shared current student performance's data to all staff; • Worked with Board of Director Chairperson to finalize the board vacancy application and draft a letter to all stakeholders

8. Superintendent Competencies • Policy and Law • Prairie Seeds Academy board member • Wrote Noble Academy bylaws, articles of incorporation and board policy manual • Wrote Noble Academy Staff and Family handbook • Attended law conferences made available through MACS, MSBA and Kennedy & Graven School Law Firm • Created Anti-bullying, and harassment policies

9. Superintendent Competencies • Political Influence and Governance • Hopes and dreams • Inspired by Hmong leaders in State of Minnesota • The late State Senator Mee Moua , State Representative Cy Thao and currently State Senator Foung Her • Activities: • School board member at Prairie Seeds Academy • Community Cafe • Met Barb Johnson, Chief of Police Tim Dolan, Victory Neighborhood Associations, local church leaders, Henry HS Principal, Loring Elementary Principal and other police men

10. Superintendent Competencies • Communication • Family Orientation and family visits • Annual Community Café • Surveys three times a year • Monthly director’s report to the board • Monthly Newsletter • Weekly Mission Matters with staff

11. Superintendent Competencies • Communication • Work closely with Noble’s Board of Directors • Monthly report based on progress toward annual goals • Work with community partners • Hmong Times, Hmong Pages, Camden Community News, Hmong Radio, Junior Achievement, Annex Teen Clinic, A Chance To Grow, Wells Fargo and US Bank, JB Realty Co, Victory Neighborhood, North Minneapolis Salvation Army, VinaiMarket, St. Austin Church and Noble Academy PTO • ABC

12. SELF ASSESSMENT • Strengths and weaknesses • Vision- the ability to focus on the big picture • Relationships- the ability to build mutual respect and trust with staff, to show people genuine care, interest and support • Communication- the ability to express self, listen well to others, use humor, be personable • Character- the ability to make inward change in order to lead outward change, to be self aware, proactive, steady and stable • Collaboration- the ability to work with others and to delegate, to lead rather than manage, use “we” instead of “I”

13. Neal P. Thao K-12 Superintendent Licensure Candidate Saint Mary’s University