The Shaping School Culture Fieldbook

Joe Childers

2/13/2012

Introduction

Please answer the following question on the Post it:– If my school was an animal, it would be a______

because_______

The Book

Written by Terrence Deal and Kent Peterson in 2009

Instructional Content and Reflection guide

Two parts– Assessment– Action Plan

Part I: Assessing School Culture

Chapters are broken down into “core values”– Vision and Values– Rituals and Ceremonies– History– Informal Relationships– Artifacts and Symbols

Vision

A dream of what a school can become Key terms related to vision

– Mission Not just the poster in the hallway

– Values What is “good” (Ott 1989)

Vision (cont.)

Beliefs– Understandings about the world around us

Norms– Expectations of all aspects of schooling

Assumptions– System of beliefs that guide behavior

Vision Activity

If my school were an animal…– Divide into small groups– Analyze the meaning of the metaphors

Octopus– Arms reaching out everywhere and connected to the

center– Arms reaching out everywhere with no backbone

Ritual and Ceremony

Rituals– Allow students and staff to stay connected– Beginning of the year rituals

Traditions– Allow for reflection on cultural roots– FCAT/Testing

Ceremonies– Allow for recognition of all sorts

Rituals, Traditions & Ceremonies

“symbolic glue that binds a school together”(Deal & Peterson, 2009, p. 42)

History

Leaders should understand the triumph and tragedy of their school

Use history as a motivator– Storytelling

Ups and Downs– Present message of hope or success

Informal Roles

Every school has a unique cast of characters School leaders need to understand the

unassigned roles each teacher has Both negative and positive

Keeper of the Dream/Nightmare

Keepers of the Dream tell stories of success and hope, no matter the topic

Keepers of the Nightmare dwell on the negative, with no hope

Gossips vs. Rumor Mongers

Every school has an inside source for “juicy” details

Rumor Mongers spread with negative outlook

Martyrs

Make great personal sacrifice for their job Want all of the recognition and adulation May be “good” teachers academically, but

demoralizing to a school

Symbols and Artifacts

The aesthetics of culture How we “show off” Physical Symbols

– Trophy Cases– Mission Banners

Non-physical Symbols– Actions– Presentation

Symbolic Garage Sale

Staff members decide what should be done with certain ideals, objects, programs and teaching philosophies

Excellent way to reflect

Garage Sale

Museum– Symbols that were once successful and should be

remembered, but not used actively

Not For Sale– Symbols crucial to student success

Needs Repair– Symbols that have potential but need tweeking

Garage Sale (Cont.)

Reclaimed– Lost symbols that have worked in the past

Toxic Waste Dump– Symbols that need to go and never return

Part II: Taking Action

Negativity spreaders should be confronted head-on

Use public forum for air grievances– Festivus

Recruit and retain positive players who buy into school mission

Spread positivity, not negativity

Taking Action: Bifocal Leader

Principal is not only a manager (discipline, etc.)

Symbolic Leader– Historian-Delve into the past– Anthropological Detective-uncovers norms/values– Visionary-spread deeper purpose– Poet-articulates core values– Actors-improvise to lead in social drama– Healer-minister to wounds during tragedy/conflict

The Road Ahead

Identify cultural values in school Assess what works and what needs to be

changed CHANGE!

– “In today’s world, everyone is for change, as long as they or those around them do not have to do anything differently (Deal and Peterson, p. 255)

Reaction: Strengths

Format-easy to jump to and use Writing Style-uses similarities and differences

– Marzano-Instructional strategy that yields highest gains

Content Rich– Honesty-have to be truthful to yourself

Strengths (Cont.)

Honesty– Have to be truthful when assessing your staff and

yourself

Symbolism-Allow Mission to dictate your path– You never see a mission that says, “to have all

students pass the FCAT,” but is that the “mission” we strive towards?

Reaction: Weaknesses

Redundant– Chapter 8 not necessary

Weak Action Plan– Too much content, not enough action plan ideas

No discussion of administration/student relationships

FPL Standards

Standard 5, Section D: Provides recurring monitoring and feedback on quality of learning environment– Garage Sale Activity

Standard 6: Decision Making– All decisions should be made by following path

created in mission statement

Standard 9, Section D: High visibility– Lead by positive example through actions and

words

Conclusion

Do not allow school culture to be put on the back burner

Cultural Success leads to academic success Smile