Last prompt regarding Culture.
We don't get to autonomously change/create/import a culture on a campus. One existed long before we got there and one will exist long after we leave. All we get to do is influence the culture while we're there.
List 2-3 specific things can you do in your first 90 days as a school principal (or assistant principal) to begin positively influencing the culture of the school you inherit.
1. Get to know EVERYONE and build positive relationships with people.
ReplyDelete2. Make your vision known - learning, learning, learning
3. Walk your talk, and do it visibly
I think the first thing to do is to listen. You want to understand the culture that is currently there, and you want your staff to know that you actually hear and understand them. Next, I think staff get togethers are extremely underrated. It is hard to work so closely with people on such important tasks if you know nothing about them. I would have a get together at my house in order for my staff to see how open I am and that I am open to them as individuals and humans. Last, I think kindness goes a long way. Kind words, like you were saying about calling students by name or a nice distinguishing feature, often go far in how people think you view them.
ReplyDelete1. Meet with each staff member: chat, get to know each other, ask questions and really listen to the answers! Build relationships
ReplyDelete2. Meet with key stakeholders: from the uber-volunteers and helicopter parents to custodians to students - ask questions! Listen! Build relationships
3. Make everything you do, say and write shout out your vision: We're all about the learning! Everyone plays a role, everyone counts, everyone is needed.
4. (sorry!) Meet with important stakeholder groups regularly (Coffee with the principal, dessert with the principal --> for parents; Meet with new teachers once a week, even if it's brief; team leaders, etc.)
ReplyDelete1-Learn about the culture that is in place and honor those things that are working (don't move the fence).
ReplyDelete2-Get to know your people. In the first 90 days the focus is the people. I liked what NC shared in class--I think he credited his wife on this--"take care of the people and they people will take care of the things."
3-Be visible and be involved, but not in a way that is intimidating to others. Be in the classrooms and the hallways, the cafeteria and library and playgrounds etc. and just allow people to 'size you up' for themselves.
1. Always make time for people and be present. They will in turn make time and be present with their students.
ReplyDelete2. Form a book study group with your leadership team to model adult learning. Meet with them regularly with the sole intention of open discussion. Dr. Coulter, you are the only principal I've ever heard of doing this. I love the idea.
3. During staff meetings, begin with celebrations. We used to do this on my campus and it was nice to begin each meeting with applause, laughter and teachers complimenting each other.
1. Get staff involved in data and decision making right off the bat. Have them sort the whys? of data into control and influence, using Dr. Gideon's strategy.
ReplyDelete2. Make your presence KNOWN. Be AT and involved in the beginning of the year PTA meetings, in classrooms, and all over the place! Be active, intentional, and involved. Show that everything you do is about the main thing.
3. Know every staff member's name and one unique thing about them - make true connections. Meet with each grade level to determine the culture of that group and their particular needs.
1. Making respect a focus in all that you do and how you interact with students, teachers, parents... relationships is key.
ReplyDelete2. Back what you say through action.
3. Walk in humility, people will follow.
Put academics first--- for every person on campus.
ReplyDeleteWe are at school--- kids should have backpacks, books, writing utensils, and have
academic language in their mouths.
Have a vision, influence others. Stay the course--- VISIBLY.
Build capacity--- let people know they are learners, encourage development, start asking what people need in order to grow---LISTEN
#1 From our earlier discussion:
ReplyDeleteMichael June 17, 2015 at 1:32 PM
The quote on slide 20..."You have to walk in stupid every day." This is so true. We are all talented individuals with tons of knowledge. We need to make sure we mix in a ton of humility with that knowledge and talent. We don't have all the right answers. You have to continuously want to learn and get better.
#2 Build purposeful relationships
#3 Analyze the fence and repair not tear down!
-Find the strengths of the school recognize, foster, and write those thank you notes.
ReplyDelete-Clearly set our purpose that we are about learning and what's best for students and repeat it, and live it (visiting classrooms a lot)
-Make myself visible and accessible (we are growing and learning together, I am the lead learner)
I agree with Hannah, listening is BIG. 1) Make intentional time with each staff member in a non-threatening way(visit classroom, stop by between classes in the hallway, stop by meetings, stop by during free time) 2) Be seen EVERYWHERE. Go to events, go to all parts of the campus during the day, let the students and staff see you everywhere. 3) take time speaking with students and staff about their history, what's important to them, and being opened to answering questions they have for you
ReplyDeleteIncreased visibility and communication...
ReplyDelete...though making classroom observations and campus walk-throughs a priority. Trust is initially developed through open lines of communication, and when productive communication and capacity building around a subject that teachers value most (learning) becomes the norm, then quite naturally trust is cultivated.
Heightened Community involvement...
...through various outreach efforts to parents and community. This will expand the web of trust.
1. Conduct a listening tour. What has gone well/could be better in the past?
ReplyDelete2. Organize a vision-setting committee of teachers, students, and parents
3. Prioritize instruction by conducting walk-throughs, holding excellent PDs, etc. This way the staff knows that at the center of the school culture is instruction and learning