Module 3: School Organization and culture

The metaphor/inspiration/connection "A very great vision is needed and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky.” Ta’ Shunke Witko (Crazy Horse), Oglala Sioux of the Lakota people “Team work is the fuel that allows common people to produce uncommon results.” -Unknown

Things all schools have????

History Someone started the school for some reason. Whether it is private schools which might offer a Christian based education, or public schools that are built to handle population economic and social expansion, they were all built to serve a purpose.

The Mission and philosophy The Hawaii Department of Education, in partnership with the family and the community, is committed to having all public school graduates achieve the General Learner Outcomes and content and performance standards in order to realize their individual goals and aspirations. High school students will have opportunities, not limited by time, for college-level coursework and program endorsements to prepare them to be successful in a global society. Therefore, all graduates will be fully prepared for post-secondary education and/or careers and their role as a responsible citizen.

Buildings Each school was constructed in a particular manner. Some have open classrooms, open campuses, gymnasiums, administration buildings, main office, cafeteria, playground, bathrooms, classrooms, libraries, etc.

Schedules It would be impossible to manage numbers of children without them. The help to structure the day, month or school year.

Teachers. Each and every school has people whose job is to transfer, transmit or teach knowledge, values and experiences.

Staff These are the people who help to ensure that students receive an appropriate education. From the cleaning of the janitor to the wisdom of the principal, all staff are necessary to schools.

Rules and Procedures We have to know what to do and how to do it, as well as to know what is not acceptable for schools and communities.

Events and extracurricular activities Schools are the foundation for children in society. Students need to develop relationships outside of the classroom. Schools also need to provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents for parents and caretakers.

Assessments This piece (AKA TESTING) ensures that the school and their students are doing their respective jobs.

Tower of Power Just be aware of who’s who!

Who likes to be in a cage? Know your schools structure and find your place within it. Once you know that structure, how do we get free?

A World of Wildflowers

Kozol Article What are the problems associated with education/school policy? How are schools transforming? What words and concepts do not exist in the language of NCLB? What is often taken out of the NCLB classroom? What can we do as teachers to ensure that we maintain passion?

Do schools create uniform humans and kill creativty?

How do we ensure that we don’t fall into the trap?

By valuing things… Examine yourself. What is important to you? Pass it on.

Think about your classroom!!!!!!!! For Example: Think about a Christian classroom. Think about Capitalist classroom. Think about a Hawaiian classroom. Think about an Environmentalist classroom. Think about a modernist classroom. Think about your classroom!!!!!!!!

Examples: Raising the Bar- The transformation of Campbell High School Yes Schools

YES Prep Core Values 1. Achieve Excellent Results Through Continuous Improvement 2. Attract and Develop High-caliber People as THE Source of Our Strength 3. Build and Maintain Positive Relationships 4. Create Opportunities that Would Otherwise Not Exist 5. Achieve Social Justice

Show and Tell Bring 2 item/artifacts from your life which you value. Come prepared to share and talk about why you value it and the role it serves in you life.