A4X | Module 3: Promoting Peak Performance

Module Overview

The heart of effective staff relations is recognizing and appreciating individual differences. This module provides a comprehensive model for supervising staff, promoting their ongoing professional development, and creating a strengths-based team. You’ll learn about the importance of tailoring your supervisory style and professional development strategies to the individualized needs of each staff member, how to use performance appraisal as the catalyst for growth and change, and how to nurture a positive work climate that promotes peak performance.

Learning Objectives

After completing Promoting Peak Performance, you will be able to:

• Recognize and apply the concepts of motivation theory
• Apply a developmental approach to supervision which includes the use of coaching/mentoring and individualized professional development plans
• Use performance appraisals based on observation of practice to support reflective practice
• Promote a positive work environment based on embedded norms of communication, collaboration, and shared leadership
• Identify strategies for managing conflict and difficult people
• Describe the importance of a professional learning community to high-performing teams

Term and Conditions: Aim4Excellence™

As a participant in the Aim4Excellence (A4X) module, I agree to and will be held accountable to the following terms and conditions:

Aim4Excellence™ is an online national director credential program for early childhood administrators. Participants must achieve a passing score of 70% or above on all nine modules to earn the Aim4Excellence™ National Director Credential. Upon successful completion of all 9 modules, you will be able to download the Aim4Excellence™ National Director Credential certificate from your dashboard.

Modules:

• Leading the Way
• Recruiting, Selecting, and Orienting Staff
• Promoting Peak Performance
• Managing Program Operations
• Building a Sound Business Strategy
• Designing Indoor and Outdoor Environments
• Supporting Children’s Development and Learning
• Facilitating Responsive Family Engagement
• Evaluating Program Quality

For modules with a total score below 70%, you must retake the module and achieve a passing score to qualify for the credential. Please get in touch with the course administrator for assistance with repurchasing the module.

GOOGLE CHROME | I understand that all courses are to be viewed in a Google Chrome browser. Should I fail to view the course in the latest version of Google Chrome, I am aware that the HelpDesk may not be able to assist me with technical issues, and I may have to begin a module over again. If your default browser is not Google Chrome, download now for free.

COMPLETION PERIOD | I understand that I have a specified number of days to complete the module from the time I first log on to that module. Should I fail to complete a module within the specified number of days of purchase, I am aware that I will need to re-register and repay for that module in order to complete it. Further, I understand that if an outside source is responsible for payment of my module, I may be bound to a shorter completion period as determined by the funder.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION | I understand that in order to receive a certificate of completion for a module, I must successfully (70% or higher) complete the module in its entirety (the module certificate will be available for print upon completion of the final segment of the module). To earn my National Director Credential, I must successfully complete all nine A4X modules.

REFUND RESTRICTIONS | Should circumstances arise that prevent me from beginning the A4X module for which I have registered, I understand that I may request in writing, a refund of 50% of the module registration fee. I further understand that no refund will be granted for the A4X module once I have begun.

PARTICIPANT CODE OF CONDUCT | As a program of the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood, Center for Early Childhood Leadership (CECL) at National Louis University (NLU), we are committed to preparing professionals. To support this, all participants and staff at CECL are expected to adhere to a framework of personal conduct expectations to support a fulfilling learning experience for all who participate. All learners are expected to accept and adhere to the following standards of personal conduct set forth herein. Participants shall treat all members of CECL with courtesy, respect, and dignity to include any and all electronic and verbal communications. This includes: displaying actions and words that do not harm others; refraining from behavior that intentionally or recklessly endangers, threatens, or causes physical or emotional harm to any person; or behavior that intentionally or recklessly causes reasonable apprehension of such harm. Participants shall fulfill all module and program obligations through honest and independent effort and integrity in academic and personal conduct. If a participant displays behaviors that do not uphold the personal conduct expectations set forth by CECL, the participant will be advised in writing that recourse could include dismissal from the program. It is the hope of our entire university community that all learners engaging in educational programming far exceed these minimum standards for just, respectful, and caring conduct towards all they come in contact with.

COPYRIGHT LAW | I understand that the content of the A4X module is the property of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership. In compliance with copyright law, I agree not to share, duplicate, or alter the content of any module without the expressed written permission of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University.

ACADEMIC HONESTY | I understand that all work submitted must be my own. I understand that I may receive aid, but the thinking and writing must be mine. Plagiarism is a violation of academic standards and can result in failure of the module and (in the case of students taking the module for college credit) expulsion from the University. Any material taken from sources must be cited. I am fully aware that any substantial copying of material (as available on the Internet or other sources) inserted into my work, even if cited, is unacceptable, and will adversely affect my score. I understand that if a module is offered for college credit and I enroll to take the module for college credit, it is my responsibility to familiarize myself with the Policy on Academic Honesty in the Student Handbook.

NLU’S AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) POLICY | National Louis University seeks to ensure that its programs are accessible to all persons. Students in need of special assistance or an accommodation regarding any of the course requirements as outlined in the syllabus, the course objectives and/or course evaluation and assessment criteria, are advised to notify the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership before beginning a module. The student and an Instructional Design team member will discuss a resolution of the issue, which may or may not include an appropriate referral (e.g., a Writing Specialist; the Academic Accommodations Coordinator at the Office of Diversity, Access and Equity; or the Office of Student Affairs). Confidentiality will be maintained regarding a student’s special needs.

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McCORMICK CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERSHIP | Aim4Excellence™