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School CultureSchool Culture
Carol BlackwellSerena HolmesCassandra Willis
Carol BlackwellSerena HolmesCassandra Willis
IntervieweesInterviewees Elementary Principal
Principal for 9 years, switching schools this year
High School Principal Assistant principal for 6 years in neighboring
county Central Office
Director of Elementary Education Principal for 10 years
Elementary Principal Principal for 9 years, switching schools this
year High School Principal
Assistant principal for 6 years in neighboring county
Central Office Director of Elementary Education Principal for 10 years
Description of School CultureElementary High School Central OfficeElementary High School Central Office
• Hard work is valued, self sufficiency, same expectations for all, everyone is assumed an expert in their class until proven otherwise•Machine culture
• Basing culture of school on history and her research• Based on new principal’s her idea is Family
•Oversaw higher expectations for students• Developed an atmosphere of trust•Moved from Little Shop of Horrors to Family
Methods used to judge culture
Elementary High School Central OfficeElementary High School Central Office
•School climate surveys•Speaking with teachers•Observations
•Interviews and conversations with teachers and students•Managing by walk around
•Surveys•Personal survey for herself of building•Visibility•Observations
Specific strategies to encourage staff to speak freely
Elementary High School Central OfficeElementary High School Central Office
•Based on the interview, appeared to be a weakness
•Maintaining open door policy•Conscious about engaging in day to day conversations
•Open door policy•Maintaining flexible
office hours •Encourage dialogue during grade level meetings•Models the behavior
Foster an environment focused on academic achievement
Elementary High School Central OfficeElementary High School Central Office
•Data sessions by grade level and cross grade level•Posting data publicly at benchmark and beginning of the year
•Data Analysis•Focused on low points•Input from students and teachers•Participatory Management
•MBWA (ELCC 2.1)
•Student achievement conferences•Bring in speakers, books, conferences•Data analysis
What role do you play in creating/maintaining school culture?
Elementary High School Central OfficeElementary High School Central Office
•All about expectations•Cannot expect mediocrity•The higher you set the expectations, the better the results
• By modeling•Having ability and professionalism to work with all teachers and students
• Principals are the leaders•Established traditions •Keep vision in forefront
Methods used to communicate
Elementary High School Central OfficeElementary High School Central Office
•Email•Connect Ed as needed•School newsletter•Parents monthly•Weekly newsletter for parents
•Email•Writing•Face to face most effective
•Written and verbal•Newsletters•Snapshots•Prefers visits and phone calls over written communication
Established mission and visionElementary High School Central OfficeElementary High School Central Office
•Mission defines the belief system and expectations of teachers and students•Build lifelong learners of students and teachers
•Promoting student achievement•Creating culture and community that supports each other (all stakeholders)
•Keep vision the main focus•If its not working towards the goal, we are not doing it
What is done to motivate staff, students, and parents
Elementary High School Central OfficeElementary High School Central Office•Food! •Recognition programs•Highlight children’s performance to parents•Reward teachers with lunches and breakfast•All teachers reap rewards regardless of who did the work•Leadership opportunities
•Being authentic and real•Letting them know she cares and is interested in helping them to solve conflicts that impede achievement and performance
•Shake a lot of hands, and kiss a lot of babies•Maintain visibility•Verbal praise•Asking teachers how their day went•Developing personal relationships•Asks about personal lives•Things You need to know
RecommendationsElementary High School Central OfficeElementary High School Central Office
• Encourage ALL teachers to talk• Maintain extended/open office hours• Listen to teacher concerns and work to implement son
•Consider diverse backgrounds of staff in all areas, culture, symbols, customs and practices• Make school more accessible and accommodating to the diverse situations of diverse families
• Seasoned principal had been principal for 6 years prior