Practical Ideas to Transform Your School Culture and Create a Vision
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Transcript of Practical Ideas to Transform Your School Culture and Create a Vision
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 [email protected] 610-945-4434 www.pamle.org http://middlegradesforum.org