Cultural Leadership
School executives will understand and act on the understanding of the important role a school’s culture plays in contributing to the exemplary performance of the school. School executives must support and value the traditions, artifacts, symbols and positive values and norms of the school and community that result in a sense of identity and pride upon which to build a positive future. A school executive must be able to “re-culture” the school if needed to align with school’s goals of improving student and adult learning and to infuse the work of the adults and students with passion, meaning and purpose. Cultural leadership implies understanding the school and the people in it each day, how they came to their current state, and how to connect with their traditions in order to move them forward to support the school’s efforts to achieve individual and collective goals.
Element 3A: Focus on Collaborative Work Environment: The school executive understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative work environment can play in the school’s culture.
The Dynamics of a Team
In working as a classroom teacher, I have been on productive leadership teams, participated in a leadership team, and everything in between. My residency has vindicated my learning throughout my NELA Journey in that team building has to occur in everything that is done. I have watched my mentor principal create a leadership team that is willing to look at the good of the school, even when it might not be the good of the individual. |
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Element 3B: School Culture and Identity: The school executive develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.
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School Culture and Climate
Taking classes and hearing presenters speak on school climate and culture throughout NELA has been beneficial, however; it is not until I was in the throws of my residency that I learned how quickly this can blossom, be squished, and regrown. Relationships play a much larger role in this than any gift. The picture shows a simple pack of tissue given to teachers when coming in to work on an inclement weather make-up day. These tips and tricks are stored in my brain for it truly does make a difference in the amount of effort given from teachers to their students on a daily basis. |
Teacher Working Conditions Survey |
3C: ACKNOWLEDGES FAILURES; CELEBRATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND REWARDS:
THE SCHOOL EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES FAILURES AND CELEBRATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE SCHOOL IN ORDER TO DEFINE THE IDENTITY, CULTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SCHOOL.
THE SCHOOL EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES FAILURES AND CELEBRATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE SCHOOL IN ORDER TO DEFINE THE IDENTITY, CULTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SCHOOL.
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Breaking Compartmentalization
Teachers by nature tend to work in silos, and my school wasn't any different. Participating in professional learning communities, they are encouraged to collaborate among their grade levels. One of the benefits in working in administration is the ability to view what is taking place in every classroom. Middlesex Elementary has great things going on throughout the building. Encouraging teachers to share that and be recognized for their accomplishments is tremendous. Sunshine The Cougar helps this happen! |
3D: EFFICACY AND EMPOWERMENT:
THE SCHOOL EXECUTIVE DEVELOPS A SENSE OF EFFICACY AND EMPOWERMENT AMONG STAFF WHICH INFLUENCES THE SCHOOL’S IDENTITY, CULTURE AND PERFORMANCE.
THE SCHOOL EXECUTIVE DEVELOPS A SENSE OF EFFICACY AND EMPOWERMENT AMONG STAFF WHICH INFLUENCES THE SCHOOL’S IDENTITY, CULTURE AND PERFORMANCE.
Creating an Academic Culture
In knowing that there are teachers who are doing great thing within their individual classrooms, we wanted to create the opportunity for all teachers to experience this. Our buddies were decided on based on grade, framework implementation, procedures, and classroom management. Buddies then have specific time periods where they complete a walkthrough on each other and meet to offer specific feedback. Administrators are not a part of these conversations. This is on purpose, we feel as though that this is the time for constructive peer conversations to occur. We are always available if need be, and receive a copy of the walk-through feedback form. |
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