STANDARD THREE: CULTURAL LEADERSHIP
School executives will understand and act on the understanding of the important role a school’s culture contributes 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 “reculture” the school if needed to align with the 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 as 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.
A. Focus on Collaborative Work Environment
The school’s executive understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative environment can play in the school's culture.
The school’s executive understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative environment can play in the school's culture.
To get a sense of the feelings of all new hires for the 2020-2021 school year, I created a survey. The survey also included a space where the staff could express needs that they felt would help them have a successful year.
Once a month for teacher appreciation, I have organized Food Truck Fridays. Teachers are able to choose from a variety of meal choices. The staff has expressed that they have really enjoyed this because the food choices are always good.
B. School Culture and Identity
The school’s executive develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.
The school’s executive develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.
During the 2020-2021 school year, I completed a culture audit of my former elementary school. In this assignment, I collected and analyzed data surrounding: school culture, mindset character analysis, and self awareness.
To give a visual representation of the culture audit I completed for Benvenue Elementary, I created a culture audit presentation. This presentation showed positive highlights that the school had built in their culture.
C. Acknowledges Failures; Celebrates Accomplishments, and Rewards
The school’s executive acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.
The school’s executive acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.
During the 2019-2020 school year, the Covid pandemic made it impossible for the fifth graders at Benvenue Elementary to have their graduation ceremony. I wanted to make something memorable for the families. Parents sent in pictures of their children and I created a video. Each fifth grade teacher and the administrators gave a short speech of words of encouragement for the students. Families were provided a DVD and the link provided on youtube to share this special moment with other loved ones.
During the 2020-2021 school year, we recognized our Teacher of the Year, First-Year Teacher of the Year and Teacher Assistant of the year.
D. Efficacy and Empowerment
The school’s executive develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school's identity, culture and performance.
The school’s executive develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school's identity, culture and performance.
During course ELP 550 I had to complete a teacher empowerment project. The purpose of this artifact was for me to develop a philosophy of leadership informed by the concept of teacher empowerment and leadership. I also developed plans for the strategic development of teachers. The artifact consisted of three parts: Philosophy of Leadership Statement; Strategic Development and the Teacher-Leader Pipeline: Current State; Strategic Development and the Teacher-Leader Pipeline: Future State.