Developing a Vision of Learning to Shape Campus Culture Everything we do, say, or research should be something that is going to facilitate obtaining the school vision—the campus’ mater plan for success. Anna Rendon Concordia University Texas EDAD 5351 Principal as Diversity Leader

Building Relationships with Actions that Value Others According to Sandra Harris (2006), author of Bravo Principals, efficient principals will…. Building Relationships with Actions that Value Others Harris is an associate professor in educational leadership program at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX and author of several books She believes that tactical actions to create a shared vision include inviting faculty to answer the following questions: Why did you become an educator? What brings you the greatest satisfaction at school? Answers will vary, but most teachers will answer student success or achievement and that will be the beginning of a clear learning vision for the school. Vision= where organization is going Mission=purpose of organization COLLABORATIVE—leading as a FACILITATOR

Important Steps to Remember (1-2-3-4 Plan): 1. Develop (create, design, plan, build, expand, grow) 2. Articulate (communicate, explain, elaborate, define, discuss, market) 3. Implement (strategize, action plan, techniques used, enhance, just do it) 4. Stewardship (nurture, sustain, enrich, advocate, support, evaluate, measure, assess) Primary role- principal knows how to shape school culture by facilitating everything through collaboration. First or initial step is important. Start with the end in mind. Envision the outcome and develop a research-based plan to achieve it. communicate in a way that others understand and comprehend after it has been developed. People cannot support or accept what they can’t understand. Just do it. Keep in mind that there may be dips but must persevere. Encourage each other to press on. Take care of eachother.

Objectives for school culture: Create a school culture that sets high expectations, promotes learning, and provides intellectual stimulation for self, students, and staff members. Respond appropriately to diverse needs in shaping the campus culture. Use various types of information (e.g. demographic data, campus climate inventory results, student achievement data, emerging issues affecting education) to develop a campus vision and create a plan for implementing the vision. 1. Walk MUST match talk. Staff, students, admin always in touch with most recent research based strategies. Doing everything with excellence. Respond to needs of ALL stakeholders because that shapes the campus culture. Do not avoid change. Be ready for it and respond to it appropriately. The principals values and disposition sets the climate and culture for the entire school. Everything must be done with a multicultural perspective. ASSUME THAT YOU WILL LEARN SOMETHING FORM EVERY PERSON. Diversity includes gender, race, mobility, culture, socioeconomics. It our responsibility as educators and leaders to change our teaching and leading styles to meet the needs of ALL students. Use data driven decision making. Always keeping focus on vision through thick and thin. “Entrophy (regression or decline) has already started the moment you develop a plan.” Linda O’Neal No Child Left Behind or Race to the Top are just words with no vision to shape campus culture behind it.

Use strategies for involving all stakeholders in planning processes to enable the collaborative development of a shared campus vision on teaching and learning Facilitate the collaborative development of a plan that clearly articulates objectives and strategies for implementing a campus vision. Align financial, human, and material resources to support implementation of a common vision. It all falls on the principals shoulders at the end of the day. The leader must set the stage, expect appropriate planning, and include all. Must be the problem solver in group-planning processes. Bring varying opinions together. Heavy responsibility. All school activities should lead to the success of a targeted goal while all goals continue to led to the attainment of the school vision. Benefits ALL students. Goals must match or align with vision to meet needs of every student. Each activity should have a time line, mechanism to assess it, strategies to modify.

Establish procedures to access and modify implementation plans to ensure achievement of the campus vision. Support innovative thinking and risk taking within the school community and view unsuccessful experiences as learning opportunities. Acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of students, staff members, parents, and community toward realization of the school’s vision. 7. Have the right people in the right roles that will help student learn. Avoid phrases such as “that’s not the way we do things around here” Be proactive, change-oriented, take risks…turn failures/obstacles into student-focused learning opportunities Recognize people’s efforts and celebrate them publicly. Whether it be teachers, students, grade levels, entire campus, community….show pride! Also, empathize and show compassion.

Nurturing the Vision Engage all faculty members in developing a collaborating plan that clearly articulates objectives and specific strategies that will increase student achievement. When school decision are being made, begin every discussion by reminding everyone involved to focus on what will most help students achieve success in learning. When school decisions have been reached, consider again the ways in which those decisions will specifically contribute to students’ achieving success in learning. People support what they help create.

Sustaining the Vision Re-state the vision at every opportunity. Always communicate the vision to students, parents, community Invite teachers to share their classroom successes at every faculty meeting Make it a priority Involve faculty, students, and parents to review and evaluate vision outcomes Survey community regularly Commit to dates and follow through Vision must be shaped by an informed awareness of current educational thinking and involves recurring reflection and debate among students, parents, staff and community partners as well as analysis of where the school is at

11/13/2018 1:53 AM I believe a school should teach . . . I want my school to become a place where . . . A successful student is one who . . . The kind of school I would like to teach in is. . . An effective classroom is one in which . . . A productive school faculty is one that . . . A quality instructional program includes . . . It is often helpful for those involved in the process of developing a shared vision to think about the type of school they would like their own children to attend. Providing unfinished statements for these individuals to consider compels them to focus on what they believe this ideal setting would look like. Some good examples include the following

According to Wilmore (2013), important points to remember: It’s all about the vision. If something does not relate…don’t waste your time with it. Use the 1-2-3-4 Plan Collaborate with everyone. Diversity is important. Everyone is important. The educational community consists of EVERYONE.

People support what they help create. Support, encourage, and sustain your people. Everyone can be successful when provided with the right support. Formally and informally assess everything all the time for the purpose of making it better. Be active and informed professionally.