Creating a Positive School Climate Alabama State Department of Education Team 7 - Special Services Teachers

Systematic Staff Development High Expectations Strong Leadership Positive School Climate Research shows that these are the reoccurring elements found in successful schools. Notice that they fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Our focus in this inservice will be on “positive school climate”. Systematic Staff Development Emphasis & continuous assessment of basic skills.

Essentials for an Effective School Climate Supportive & stimulating environment Student-centered Positive expectations Feedback Rewards Sense of family Closeness to parents & community Communication Achievement Trust A positive school climate provides the very foundation for a sound educational program. When the climate is right, people are inspired to do their best. Achievement generally rises, individuals succeed and so does the school. Climate is a term used to describe how people feel about their school. It is a combination of beliefs, values, and attitudes shared by students, teachers, administrators, parents, bus drivers, office personnel, custodians, cafeteria workers and others who play an important role in the life of the school. When a school has a “winning climate” people feel proud, connected and committed. They support, help and care about each other. There is a a joy in coming to school either to teach or learn.

Supportive & Stimulating Environment Spruce up the physical environment Exude enthusiasm. Promote positive student attitudes. Promote fun. Emphasize growth. Set & maintain standards for student behavior. Be inventive & creative. Help & support colleagues. Champion respect & acceptance. Teachers teach best and students learn and enjoy more in a positive, vital and robust learning environment. Here are some ways to create that special environment: 1. Spruce up the physical environment- Develop sense of pride. Paint, display photos, artwork, ... 2. Exude enthusiasm- Show your positive inner spirit through you smile, posture, voice and words. Encourage others to do the same. 3. Promote positive students attitudes.- Expect the best from students. Help them to see their potential. Use books, videotapes, film and exposure to positive role models during class and assemblies. 4. Promote fun- Students enjoy a good sense of humor. Have fun in the classroom. Participate in skits and special dress-up days. Tell and listen to funny stories. 5. Emphasize growth- Everyone wins in an environment that promotes doing your best. Work hard to catch students making progress both academically and socially. Develop theme and slogans that emphasize growth. 6. Set and maintain standards for students behavior- Students and teachers tend to live up to what is expected of them. It is human nature. Involve students in sharing expectations in a positive manner. Share through handbooks, posters, or intercom announcements. Catch people succeeding. 7. Be inventive & creative- Create an environment that supports new ideas. Recognize teachers who try new methods in the classroom. Brainstorm, problem-solving sessions, suggestion box,… 8. Help & support colleagues- They need support & understanding. Make time for those who are feeling “down”. Make the lounge a support shelter. Share, pinch hit, advise, … 9. Champion respect & acceptance- Treat others as worthy human beings. This country was founded on diversity. Discourage ridicule, put downs, & favoritism.

Student-Centered Tune in to students. Include students in decision making. Promote active learning. Provide variety. Allow for student differences. Conduct follow-up studies. 1. Tune in to students- Find out what students are thinking and feeling. Spend time in asking them what is happening in their lives. Regularly conduct a survey which could include questions e.g. “Are classes interesting? Are you getting the help you need? Are you being challenged? Do you feel you are being treated with respect and dignity? Do you feel safe and secure in this school? Do you enjoy coming to this school? What about this school do you really like? 2.Include students in decision making- Provide leadership training and activities that offer students opportunities to assume leadership. Make strengthening the student council or other advisory groups a top priority. Talk individually with students and in small groups. 3. Promote active learning- have students actively participating in the class. Provide interesting problems to solve, issues to discuss or debate projects, mock elections, skits , letters to politicians and interview people in the work force. Take field trips. 4. Provide variety- Plan for variety. Change bulletin board and classroom configuration periodically. Include group work and student presentations for reflection and fun. 5. Allow for student differences- Provide maximum challenges through a flexible curriculum. Use contracts, enrichment materials, differentiated assignments, extra credit, peer tutors. Be sensitive to students’ needs. 6. Conduct follow-up studies- Ask students to come back and tell how they benefited from school. Ask how their needs could have been better met. Students listen better when they are actively involved in the process.

Positive Expectations Expect the best from each other. Send positive messages. Model high standards. Setting a good example for your students is twice as good as giving them advice. 1. Expect the best from each other- Research tells us that our beliefs & attitudes about others influence how we treat them, which in turn influences their attitudes, behavior, & performance. Be professional, & expect it from others. 2. Send positive messages- Make sure facial expressions & body language convey a positive message. 3. Model high standards- Arrive early & be prepared. Dress & act professionally. Attend professional inservices & share what you learn.

Feedback Catch others succeeding. Watch your praise. Be candid but positive. 1. Catch others succeeding- When a colleague does something well, recognize that achievement. 2. Watch your praise- Praise privately as well as publicly. Provide praise on the spot. 3. Be candid but positive- When you give negative feedback, do it in a positive way. Be open & sincere, but be sensitive. “Kind words can be short & easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” --Mother Teresa

Rewards Applaud pacesetters. Use multiple & varied award programs. Showcase academic achievement. 1. Applaud pacesetters- Reward those who go over & above the call of duty. Use media to announce achievements. 2. Use multiple & varied award programs- Give fun & serious awards. Teacher of the week, Extra Mile Award, Best Dressed, Most Creative, etc. 3. Showcase academic achievement- Display any signs of tangible achievement in the hallway. Make announcements. Publish in school newsletter. Doing little things well is a step toward doing big things better.

Sense of Family Help new people. Support school activities. Be involved. Acknowledge & deal with conflict. Celebrate special occasions. 1. Help new people- Welcome newcomers & help them “learn the ropes.” Be sure they understand policies & procedures. Share materials & resources. 2. Support school activities- Attend plays, games, & PTA meetings. It gives a clear message that you care. 3. Be involved- Join committees. Examine issues. Do your part. When decisions are made, be supportive & positive. When everyone does their share, no one will have an overload. 4. Acknowledge & deal with conflict- When conflict is suppressed, it festers. Be factual, not accusing. Strive for compromise. Consider what is best for students/school. 5. Celebrate special occasions- Recognize birthdays, weddings, & new births. Create a hospitality/courtesy committee.

Closeness to Parents & Community Assure parents & community of a commitment to quality. Showcase your school. Invite feedback. Respond positively to feedback. 1. Assure parents & community of a commitment to quality- Be your school’s best PR person. Tell others of the school’s commitment to excellence. Promote a “kids first” message. 2. Showcase your school- Open House, Parent Night, newspaper articles, Science/Social Studies Fair, display art at museums & local businesses, enter contests, etc. 3. Invite feedback- Need assessments & surveys help. Place suggestions boxes in the school & community. Parents & teachers need to be in partnership. 4. Respond positively to feedback- Don’t be defensive. Listen to the problem & try to view it through their eyes. Let them know you appreciate their concern. Help them leave school feeling that you have done your best to help them. Strive not only to be understood but also to understand.

Communication Keep others posted. Be an active listener. Choose your words carefully. Communicate progress. 1. Keep others posted- Make sure student, coworkers, & administrators have the information they need. Use e-mail or written notes. People forget what they hear. Provide a calendar of events. 2. Be an active listener- Use active listening techniques, such as listening to voice tone and observing facial expressions and body language, to determine feelings and emotions. Use reflective and clarifying statements to check for understanding. 3. Choose your words carefully- Be sensitive. What we see on the outside is not what others feel on the inside. Soft words soothe and motivate. Harsh words sting and repel. 4.Communicate progress- Formally & informally share the good things with parents, coworkers, and administrators. Plan for conferences. You get further by persuading people than by arguing with them.

Achievement Set & track personal goals. Set & track classroom goals. Set & track grade level goals. Set & track school goals. 1. Set & track personal goals- Research tells us that people who set goals & write them down are most likely to succeed. Set goals that are slightly out of reach but not out of sight. Pick a few, not many. 2. Set & track classroom goals- Develop an action plan and monitor student progress. Celebrate success. 3. Set & track grade level goals- Working together to reach a goal enhances communication, trust, feedback, and binds the group together. Achieving transforms that group into a proud team of people who want to continue experiencing success. 4. Set & track school goals- Formulate goals that will make a difference. Develop and implement the plan. Monitor and evaluate progress.

Trust Be reliable. Guard confidentiality. Be understanding. Forgive & forget. Tell the truth. Be respectful. 1. Be reliable- Be dependable & trustworthy. Be someone your coworkers & administrators can count on. Where there is trust, leaders can lead and teachers can teach. 2. Guard confidentiality- Nothing destroys trust more quickly or painfully than a slip of the tongue. Avoid gossip & encourage others to do the same. Treat conversations as special & private. 3. Be understanding- Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Be considerate. 4. Forgive & forget- Begin each day with a clean slate. Remember to smile and say hello the day following an incident. 5. Tell the truth- Avoid conflicting messages. If you have to be the bearer of bad news, do it sensitively. Some things are better left unsaid. 6. Be respectful- Ridicules and put downs undermine our trust in each other. Set the example by showing respect for students, parents, coworkers, and administrators. Give value to others by recognizing their positive attributes. Respond to students’ answers in a constructive manner. Trust is the glue that holds the school together.

School improvement is a process, not an event. Each individual in a school can affect its climate. By working together you can have an even greater effect.