Creating a Culture of Achievement in a City of Despair

Presented by Chris Matheson

Benefits of a Positive Culture

The Four Components of Our Culture of Achievement

I. Respect

III. Responsibility

IV. Results

Achievement

The Process

Respect

I. Respect (students)

Know their names (asap)

•It signifies their importance to us•It is the first step to building a relationship

Choose your language carefully

•Err on the side of being too polite•“A kind word can warm three months of winter.”

I. Respect (students)

Never, ever, yell

•Where do you go from there?•Model what you want to see

Dress, and act,

accordingly

•Your appearance should reflect that you are doing something important•You are, in fact, a role model

I. Respect (staff)

Edify

The Process

Respect Relationships

II. Relationships

II. Relationships

II. Relationships

Belief

BehaviorResult

II. Relationships

The Process

Respect

Relationships

Responsibilitie

s

III. Responsibilities

III. Responsibilities

Cultural Artifacts

Cultural Artifacts

Cultural Artifacts

Cultural Artifacts

Cultural Artifacts

Cultural Artifacts

Cultural Artifacts

Cultural Artifacts

Cultural Artifacts

Cultural Artifacts

III. Responsibilities

The Process

Respect

Relationsh

ips

Responsibilities

Results

IV. Results

1. Set goals and publicize2. Measure what you treasure3. Focus on daily behaviors and the process4. Establish mile markers5. Celebrate publicly

8th Grade MEAP Math

2002-2003 2004-2005 2006-2007 2008-20090

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

52

62 62

75

37

56

66

78

StateIAF

2010-2011 MEAP Results

Gr. 3 Math

Gr. 4 Math

Gr. 5 Math

Gr. 6 Math

Gr. 7 Math

Gr. 8 Math

MME Math

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

97.4 94.7

75.9

88.593.5

78.4

47.5StateIAFCRD

Enrollment Growth

1999-2000

2001-2002

2003-2004

2005-2006

2007-2008

2009-2010

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

541

785642

737820

1155

Student Enrollment

Student Enrollment

The Process

Respect

Relationships

Responsibilities

Results

Some Suggestions

1. Values, vision, and misison2. Determine the distance3. Build your team4. Greater involvement=Greater buy-in5. Deliberately construct your environment6. Establishing culture requires constant

attention

Who is dreaming for your students?

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.---James Allen