1. The Shaping School Culture Fieldbook
Joe Childers
2/13/2012

2. Introduction Please answer the following question on the Post it:
If my school was an animal, it would be a______
because_______

3. The Book Written by Terrence Deal and Kent Peterson in 2009
Instructional Content and Reflection guide
Two parts
Assessment
Action Plan

4. Part I: Assessing School Culture
Chapters are broken down into “core values”
Vision and Values
Rituals and Ceremonies
History
Informal Relationships
Artifacts and Symbols

5. Vision A dream of what a school can become Key terms related to vision
Mission
Not just the poster in the hallway
Values
What is “good” (Ott 1989)

6. Vision (cont.) Beliefs Norms Assumptions
Understandings about the world around us
Norms
Expectations of all aspects of schooling
Assumptions
System of beliefs that guide behavior

7. Vision Activity If my school were an animal… Divide into small groups
Analyze the meaning of the metaphors
Octopus
Arms reaching out everywhere and connected to the center
Arms reaching out everywhere with no backbone

8. Ritual and Ceremony Rituals Traditions Ceremonies
Allow students and staff to stay connected
Beginning of the year rituals
Traditions
Allow for reflection on cultural roots
FCAT/Testing
Ceremonies
Allow for recognition of all sorts

9. Rituals, Traditions & Ceremonies
“symbolic glue that binds a school together”(Deal & Peterson, 2009, p. 42)

10. History
Leaders should understand the triumph and tragedy of their school
Use history as a motivator
Storytelling
Ups and Downs
Present message of hope or success

11. Informal Roles Every school has a unique cast of characters
School leaders need to understand the unassigned roles each teacher has
Both negative and positive

12. Keeper of the Dream/Nightmare
Keepers of the Dream tell stories of success and hope, no matter the topic
Keepers of the Nightmare dwell on the negative, with no hope

13. Gossips vs. Rumor Mongers
Every school has an inside source for “juicy” details
Rumor Mongers spread with negative outlook

14. Martyrs Make great personal sacrifice for their job
Want all of the recognition and adulation
May be “good” teachers academically, but demoralizing to a school

15. Symbols and Artifacts The aesthetics of culture How we “show off”
Physical Symbols
Trophy Cases
Mission Banners
Non-physical Symbols
Actions
Presentation

16. Symbolic Garage Sale
Staff members decide what should be done with certain ideals, objects, programs and teaching philosophies
Excellent way to reflect

17. Garage Sale Museum Not For Sale Needs Repair
Symbols that were once successful and should be remembered, but not used actively
Not For Sale
Symbols crucial to student success
Needs Repair
Symbols that have potential but need tweeking

18. Garage Sale (Cont.) Reclaimed Toxic Waste Dump
Lost symbols that have worked in the past
Toxic Waste Dump
Symbols that need to go and never return

19. Part II: Taking Action
Negativity spreaders should be confronted head-on
Use public forum for air grievances
Festivus
Recruit and retain positive players who buy into school mission
Spread positivity, not negativity

20. Taking Action: Bifocal Leader
Principal is not only a manager (discipline, etc.)
Symbolic Leader
Historian-Delve into the past
Anthropological Detective-uncovers norms/values
Visionary-spread deeper purpose
Poet-articulates core values
Actors-improvise to lead in social drama
Healer-minister to wounds during tragedy/conflict

21. The Road Ahead Identify cultural values in school
Assess what works and what needs to be changed
CHANGE!
“In today’s world, everyone is for change, as long as they or those around them do not have to do anything differently (Deal and Peterson, p. 255)

22. Reaction: Strengths Format-easy to jump to and use
Writing Style-uses similarities and differences
Marzano-Instructional strategy that yields highest gains
Content Rich
Honesty-have to be truthful to yourself

23. Strengths (Cont.) Honesty Symbolism-Allow Mission to dictate your path
Have to be truthful when assessing your staff and yourself
Symbolism-Allow Mission to dictate your path
You never see a mission that says, “to have all students pass the FCAT,” but is that the “mission” we strive towards?

24. Reaction: Weaknesses Redundant Weak Action Plan
Chapter 8 not necessary
Weak Action Plan
Too much content, not enough action plan ideas
No discussion of administration/student relationships

25. FPL Standards
Standard 5, Section D: Provides recurring monitoring and feedback on quality of learning environment
Garage Sale Activity
Standard 6: Decision Making
All decisions should be made by following path created in mission statement
Standard 9, Section D: High visibility
Lead by positive example through actions and words

26. Conclusion Do not allow school culture to be put on the back burner
Cultural Success leads to academic success
Smile 