Interview One

Interview with

Dr. Richard Bernato

By:

LaSaunra Haynes and Nasrullah

Doctoral students cohort 14

Bibliography

1. Rubin, H. (1998). The Princessa: Machiavelli for Women. New York: Dell.

2. Tzu, S., & Roberts, J. (2012). Art of War. New York: Golden Words.

3. Bernato, R. F. (2001). A study of high-involvement behavior among shared

decision teams in long island elementary blue ribbon and non-blue ribbon

schools. (Order No. 3077241, Dowling College). ProQuest Dissertations and

Theses, , 159-159 p. Retrieved from http://0-

search.proquest.com.library.dowling.edu/docview/304784689?

accountid=10549. (prod.academic_MSTAR_304784689).

Currently he is a Professor at St. John University graduate

division.

Completed his doctoral degree in 2001 @ Dowling

Also worked as a Director of Humanities @ St John

Thirty-four years service in New York Public School

Adjunct Professor Dowling

Brief Introduction of Dr. Bernato

1. In what year was your doctorate degree granted?

2. I see you wrote a dissertation on High involvement behavior among

shared decision teams in Long Island elementary blue ribbon and non-blue

Ribbon Schools.

i) What do you think the blue ribbon schools are better than non-blue

ribbon schools?

ii) On page 115 of you dissertation you have mentioned that factors

analysis reveals that the 7 factors of shared decision making model which are,

Power, Knowledge,

Interview Questions

Information, leadership, instructional guidance,

resources and rewards, were not present in the

schools you studied and new factors were

identified in the (Organizational structure,

Communication, School-Community relationship)

Do you think the schools should change in their

decision making and incorporate the 7 factors of

the shared decision making model?

Interview Questions

iii) In some situation leaders have to decide instantly,

how a leader should handle such situations or which

type of leader handle such situations better and

effectively?

iv) In New York state schools, school boards have an

effective role in the school administration. Do you

suggest any change in the role of school boards, I

meant decreasing or increasing their role?

Interview Questions

v) You did mention the post sputnik reforms in

the US education system in you dissertation. Do you

think these reforms were successful in achievement

of both equality and excellence through education?

vi) In your opinion what are the reasons that

American students are behind other students of the

industrially advanced countries especially in

mathematics and sciences?

Interview Questions

vii) Can both equality and excellence be

achieved by the schools in the USA?

viii) What changes would you suggest for the

schools particularly changes in the administration?

Interview Questions

3. What are your responsibilities at your current

position?

4. How do you evaluate success?

5. What makes a leader successful? Do you think

people can learn to be a leader?

6. 6. What are the major challenges that

leaders have?

Interview Questions

i) In the book La Princessa, Machiello for women, the

author recommend “The more outrageous ideas the

better the chances of winning” (page 94) What do you

think about it? Does it works in shared decision making

model?

ii) In the book Sun Tzu, the art of war, the author

recommends that if the people are treated with

nonviolence, faithfulness, and justice (equality) then they

will be of one mind and will be glade to serve (page 43)

What do you think about it?

Interview Questions

7. Last question, as a current leader, what can

you advise the future generations?

Thank you very much Dr. Bernato for spearing time

for this interview. Your thoughts are very

convincing and it will guide us in the rest of our life

and in our career

Interview Questions

It was a good exercise. We leaned many things about the

interview. For example, how to conduct an interview? And, how

to edit it. Dr. Bernato was very friendly. He answered each

question in detail. He has vast knowledge and experience of US

education and schools. The findings of his study were very

interesting. He applies his knowledge, he gained in his study at

Dowling. He use his decision making skills and knowledge in his

teaching carrier at Saint John.

Reflection

A few questions posed to Dr. Benato reflected on his dissertation.

“High Involvement Behavior Among Shared Teams In Long Island

Elementary Blue Ribbon and Non Blue Ribbon Schools.” We wanted his

opinion on excellence, equality in education.

Dr. Bernato explained the significance of the term “Blue Ribbon

Schools”. These schools are selected because of their outstand

achievement in certain areas that are evaluated by federal government

and given the acknowledgement . It’s a prestigious accommodation that

schools and communities like to be recognized for their outstanding

performance. However a “Non Blue Ribbon” school doesn't mean the

school is inferior

Analysis

Management and leadership style has a tremendous impact on

the schools culture.

Communication empowers everyone inside and in the

community.

Decision making models should be implemented to empower

your staff and the mission of the school .

Authoritarian leadership isn’t useful for a good relationship.

That style will get things done ,but only for a short goal. He

shared a story of good leadership vision ,implementation and the

survival of his plan even when he was no longer in charge.

Analysis:

Abut the idea “more outrages ideas the better the chances of

winning” (Princessa Machiavelli) he paused and responded ,yes

he has seen leaders coming forward with good initiative plans

and the decision making model is great way to enhance

creativity. Yes people should be daring and outrages to get things

accomplished ,be a visionary person .

About SunTzu, philosophy on justice, and equality he said We

must fix a system that is failing .

Analysis:

He continued to discuss the findings from his study. Pointing

out information from his dissertation, he mention’s seven

factors of shared decision making model.

Power,knowledge,information,leadership,instructional

guidance, resources and rewards. However these items were not

found in all schools new factors emerged :

organizational structure, communcation,school-community

relationships. As new leaders in education we should empower

ourselves by incorporating these factors to enrich our schools

and community.

Analysis

Thank you