Practical Ideas to Transform Your School Culture and Create a Vision

NC Association for Middle Level EducationBruce Vosburgh - PAMLE

Complements - AMLE

Bruce Vosburgh – Schools to Watch Director in Pennsylvania,

- PAMLE State Executive Board

- Retired middle level teacher, team leader, coach, administrator

- President Elect – National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform

THIS WE BELIEVE CONNECTIONS

a shared vision developed by all stakeholders guides every decision

leaders are committed to and knowledgeable about this age group, educational research, and best practicesleaders demonstrate courage and collaboration

organizational structures foster purposeful learning and meaningful relationships

Schools to WatchA shared vision of what a high-performing, developmentally appropriate school is and does drives every facet of school change.

1. The shared vision drives constant improvement.

2. Shared, distributed, and sustained leadership propels the school forward and preserves its institutional memory and purpose.

3. Everyone knows what the plan is and the vision is posted and evidenced by actions.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

participants will learn how to transform toxic cultures into collaborative endeavors

participants will analyze and discuss their current school culture and begin the development of a plan to make it more collaborative

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONWhat is school culture and how does it affect

the effectiveness of your school?

HOW BIG IS THE GORILLA IN YOUR SCHOOL?

In most schools, the 800 pound gorilla that impairs performance and stifles change is CULTURE.

CHANGE IN THE GULCHtrailblaze

rs

pioneers

settlers

survivors

saboteurs

TRICKS TO DEALING WITH COMPLAINERS

disperse their negative power

do not treat them as a group

realize they cannot influence the believersremember they complain EVERYWHERE

Leading School Change

TRICKS TO DEALING WITH COMPLAINERS

redesign staff meeting arrangementsmeet with them INDIVIDUALLY to discuss plans for changedo not put them in adjacent classrooms, common teams or PLC’smatch them up with trailblazers and pioneers

Leading School Change

What are the causes of the resistance to change we often find at our schools?

FOUR TYPES OF CULTURE col

laborativecontrived

Secluded

isolated

Where is the culture in YOUR school?

RATE YOUR SCHOOL CULTURE: A SINGING VERSION

Toxic Healthy

I Can’t Get No SatisfactionWho Let the Dogs Out?I Will Survive16 TonsTake This Job and Shove ItHelp!Hard Day’s NightWrong AgainSend in the ClownsThe Sounds of SilenceBridge Over Troubled WatersRainy Days and MondaysEmpty Chairs at Empty Tables

Stairway to HeavenCelebrateWe Are the ChampionsTop of the WorldI Am a BelieverWe Are FamilyThe Hero Is In YouLean on MeAin’t No Mountain High EnoughImagineOne Moment in TimeI’m A Believer

THE LOOK OF A TOXIC CULTURE

toxic

negative values

fragmented

destructive

lack of integrity and

valuesnegative

relationships

pessimistic staff

negative beliefs

Shaping School Culture

SHIFTING SCHOOL CULTURE

teaching teacher isolation pass/fail mindset compliance curriculum overload general goals static assessment independence planning to plan time and staff fixed learning for most

learning collaboration elimination of failure commitment guaranteed curriculum specific goals dynamic assessment interdependence planning to improve learning fixed learning for all

FROM TO

THREE LEVELS OF CHANGE

Procedural

Structural

Cultural

Leading School Change

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO DEVELOP A COLLABORATIVE CULTURE IN YOUR SCHOOL?

Collaborative Culture

trust

risk-taking

absence of

threat

• be a role model for the change – all staff

• realize that the first impression when instituting change is all important

• emphasize that the change is in the best interests of the students

• instill an awareness of both the existing culture and the need for change

• invite teachers to be part of the change

• support positive cultural elements and staff

• gather support of the superstar teachers and then bring the others along

• pretend almost everyone is on board

• focus on recruitment, selection, and retention of effective, positive staff

• focus on eradicating the negative

• meet the negativity head-on

• diminish fear and apprehension

• rebuild around positive norms and beliefs

• consistently celebrate the positive and the possible

• develop new stories of success, renewal, and accomplishment

• help toxic teachers make the move to a new school

Successful

Collaboration

common understand

ing

common commitme

nt

efficiency and

effectiveness

data to monitor

performance

adjust efforts

based on data

SHAPING A SUCCESSFUL CULTURE

focus on a student-centered mission and purpose

strengthen positive elements of existing culture

build on established traditions and values

hire staff who share the values of the culture

use history to fortify and sustain values and beliefs

Shaping School Culture

Creating A Vision Create Small focused groups to

brainstorm and discuss the following questions

1. How are we different from other schools?

2. What kind of school do we hope to be?

3 What can we do differently? 4. What do you think should be included

in our vision statement?• Radnor MS

Bringing the Vision to Life Branding Create a logo Develop posters, T-shirts, stickers Display in all school communications Create Vision Days, Pep Rallies

• Radnor MS

POWERFUL, POSITIVE CULTURES

collegiality

experimentation

high expectations

trust and confidence

tangible support

reaching out to the knowledge bases

POWERFUL, POSITIVE CULTURESappreciation and recognition

caring, celebration, humor

involvement in decision making

protection of what is important

honor traditions

honest, open communication

Butler and Dickson, 1987

TODAY’S PRINCIPALprovides an atmosphere conducive to shared decision-making and collaboration at all levels

asks questions rather than providing answers

facilitates the process of school improvement rather than prescribing how it should be done

collaboratively explores alternatives to ineffective policies and practices rather than dictate the ones that will be used

This We Believe in Action

TODAY’S TEACHERSare active leaders in the school learning community

participate in instructional discussions within learning communities that are centered on student successare involved members of their teams

seek ways to make curriculum integrative, relevant, and challenging for students

This We Believe in Action

TODAY’S TEACHERS

share instructional strategies to help meet individual student needs

discuss data with their colleagues and use it to inform instruction

share their expertise to help the school solve problems, make decisions, and set policy and direction

This We Believe in Action

SCHOOL RITUALS AS PART OF CULTURE

RITUALS

coffee and

doughnuts

attendance

dismissal

schedule

SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS AS PART OF CULTURE

staff

studentsparents

community

Celebration is a key element in building and maintaining a positive, collaborative culture – embrace ALL partners

in your celebrations

TICKET OUT THE DOORWhat do you need to do at your school?

Bruce Vosburgh bvosbur@comcast.net 610-945-4434 www.pamle.org http://middlegradesforum.org