CHANGING THE CONVERSATION: CLIMATE & CULTURE CONTROL FOR YOUR SCHOOL – STUDENTS AND FACULTY...
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Transcript of CHANGING THE CONVERSATION: CLIMATE & CULTURE CONTROL FOR YOUR SCHOOL – STUDENTS AND FACULTY...
CHANGING THE CONVERSATION:
CLIMATE & CULTURE CONTROL FOR YOUR SCHOOL –
STUDENTS AND FACULTY
Presenter:
Frank W. Palatucci, Jr.
Director of School Leadership Programs
Foundation for Educational Administration
Principal, Highland H.S. (Retired)
What is Organizational Culture?
“Culture is the underground stream of norms, values, beliefs, traditions, and rituals that has built up over time as people work together.”
“. . . this set of informal expectations and values shape how people think, feel, and act in schools” . . . and serves as a highly enduring web of influence [that] binds the school together and makes it special.”
(Peterson and Deal)
MAJOR ELEMENTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
Values & Ideals Norms Expectations Sanctions Communication through Symbolism Symbolic Activity through Behavioral
Example
Distinguish Between Climate & Culture
Culture = belief system(s) that undergirds the patterns of behavior in a school (organization)
Climate = sum total of the dynamic interactions among the psychosocial, academic and physical dimensions of the school’s environment. Climate has a major influence on morale, productivity, teaching and learning – perceptions matter.
Teacher Challenges1950 Talking Chewing gum Making noises Running in the halls Getting out of place in
line Wearing improper
clothing Not putting paper in
the wastebasket
2012 Drug & Alcohol Abuse Pregnancy Suicide Lock-Downs Guns & Shootings Cyber Bullying Arson, Bomb Threats AIDS Gangs Dysfunctional families
CULTURAL ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE SCHOOL
Positive Organizational Culture Emphasis on Academic Effort and
Achievement Belief that All Students Can Achieve Ongoing Faculty Development and Innovation Safe & Orderly Learning Environment“The only thing of real importance that leaders do is to create and manage culture.”
(Schein)
“The principal has the ultimate responsibility for school culture.” (Krajewski)
“When the principal sneezes, everyone catches a cold.” (Whitaker)
The Reality of Our Schools
The community’s best kept secret The biggest and most important
business in town Need to adopt the philosophy to “Do the
right things right the first time” Quality education creates its own
publicity
Satisfied needs do not motivate.
It’s only unsatisfied needs that motivate.
Stephen R. Covey –
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
SHAPING SCHOOL CULTURE – THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL LEADER
Develop & maintain an adequate understanding of your school’s culture
Enhance the positive aspects of the culture Awareness of subcultures & counter cultures Promote values, respect diversity Continually state & clarify values & ideals Choose staff wisely Identify formal & informal leaders
Shaping School Culture…..
Recognize & work with informal leaders Handle conflicts between formal and
informal leaders immediately Keep the school’s mission in the public
eye Use communication as a tool to shape
culture