Transforming School Culture Interview and Theory Analysis Change is inevitable in any organization and education is no exception to this norm. While dealing with change in the educational system, it is essential that educators are given the resources and information necessary to make informed decisions. These resources and information are vital in determining the motivational outcomes that will result. Ultimately, data related to how the proposed adjustment to the system will influence student learning must be shared by school leaders. This analysis will examine evidence on how to create and maintain a positive school culture based on findings from Anthony Muhammad. Throughout the analysis, perceptions related to school culture from a middle …show more content…
The various groups are categorized as believers, tweeners, fundamentalists, and survivalists. The believers are focused on how their efforts impact the learning of students (Muhammad, 39). Tweeners are usually new to a school and still learning the normal culture. Fundamentalists preserve the status quo and are opposed to any attempts to change the system. Survivalist are typically overwhelmed with the demands of the profession and are focused on making in through any given day (Muhammad, 40). When understanding these various groups it is important to understand the interactions each group has with each other, students, and the system as a whole. The following sections will examine how leaders can provide additional influence to believers, create and implement support systems for tweeners, and shift fundamentalists in situations of cultural change that are in the best interest of student learning. These sections will include evidence from Anthony Muhammad, along with perspective from Michelle Weber. Michelle Weber is the building level principal at Liberty Middle School in the West Fargo Public School District. It is this perspective that allows personal reflection of the influence teacher leaders can have on the school culture they are a part …show more content…
Several of these aspects cannot be overlooked. Believers have a high level of intrinsic motivation, a personal connection to the community, exhibit pedagogical skills, and have a unique ability to unify and motivate by positive pressure (Muhammad, 44). School leaders must be able to encourage and provide voices for believers in situations that may aid in developing a school culture or during initiative changes that may benefit students. In these situations, Michelle Weber stated strategies that may get believers to step up and express thoughts and beliefs. These strategies included utilizing talking chips or sticks, making everyone say something when in meetings or PLC, using shout outs to share accomplishments related to student learning, or pictures to communicate successes with staff. She stated that all staff have a voice and it is imperative to highlight each staff member’s strengths (M. Weber, personal communication, October 17, 2017). This capitalization on strengths is vital in sharing the work of believers and providing a platform for believers to share thoughts and beliefs that may develop a healthy culture within a school. Healthy school culture is defined as an unwavering belief that all students can and will learn and there is a willingness to change practice in order to produce learning for all students (Muhammad, 139). Healthy school culture is strengthened when believers are
That broader conception of school allowed those schools to better support the students and address social issues that prevent students from accessing their full potential. This conceptual shift can only be spurred by a clear vision of “good education”—which then caused an improvement in their community’s education
Schultz also stressed the importance of a biblical worldview in the teacher. As the leader in each classroom the students will adapt their teacher’s beliefs, values and finally actions. If they are taught by a teacher who holds a dualistic view of dividing the sacred and the secular, or a postmodern or modern worldview, it will adversely affect the ability of that child to develop Christ centered wisdom based upon the Word of God. Schultz, in referring to the education of children, stated “anything that hinders their moral and spiritual development is the epitome of child abuse.” (2006, p. 163). As such, our curriculum, teaching methods, and moral example, must all reflect a biblical worldview that will evangelize and discipline each student to know and love Jesus Christ.
Only now is evidence emerging testifying to the fact that much of the criticism leveled at public schools is exaggerated and misplaced. It is easy to forget that schools reflect what is happening in society, not cause it. Schools of today have recently shown that they are performing better than ever. Unfortunately, the traditional challenges confronting schools have increased dramatically and broadly as the world and students have changed. Now schools are facing drastic change -- necessary change that must take place quickly so students are able to cope in a dramatically changing world of the future. All of the criticism creates fear in teachers and administrators rather than a desire to embrace change.
This week's assignment has taught me a lot about religious oppression and how it's affecting our world today. One thing that I really found interesting is religious diversity in schools in America. While reading section 58 in our textbook, I grasped more information about the different ways religion has an effect on the lives of students on a school campus. While discussing religion in a school setting; I believe that it is important to remember that a
(“Teacher’s Beliefs affecting students”). This, trying to convince people to think more like oneself is a huge drawback when teaching religion in a classroom. Like mentioned earlier, teachers are not allowed to express their personal views about religion in the classroom. Personal life and professional work life,
However, Religious Accommodation in the classroom has sparked even more debate than the others. The debate has been called a movement but also a “doorway to extremism” (School Prayer). Involving a large variety of people from all over the world, some from the United States, some from Mexico and India, as well as many other destinations, opinions are then formed and sides are
The entire community plays an essential role in the growth and development of children within our community. As a school leader, building an inclusive school culture that is open and friendly to all stakeholders using a variety of effective methods is crucial. There is no magic formula to incorporating a positive school culture, much depends on the leadership of the campus. The leadership on campus cultivates the climate providing support and respect for everyone invested in the student’s education.
Lezotte, L. (2001). Revolutionary and evolutionary: The effective schools movement. Okemos, MI: Effective Schools Products, Ltd.
When all stakeholders share similar core values and agree on the aims of education, reform efforts stand a better chance for success. Knowledge, skills, critical thinking, and citizenship are core values found at the heart of my beliefs for education. I also believe it is the aim of education to prepare students as contributing members of society. In schools where core values and education aims are revisited due to reform implementation, strategies are identified along with a plan for implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The federal government, state, districts, school leadership, teachers, students and parents all have significant responsibilities to make reform efforts a success.
University of Michigan. “Religion in Schools: A look at how religious practices influence education.” .
The aim of my study is to find the importance of School Culture in the development of future of the students studying in a school. In the past years, many studies has been done by different people to find the role of school culture in the life of students, teachers and parents.
In order to be an effective school, all school personnel must work together in a friendly, caring, polite, and respectful manner. There are a number of positions and employees in a school. “A school is a complex social system, and all the people in it contribute to making it run smoothly” (Kauchak & Eggen, 2014, p. 182). It’s important to acknowledge the contributions of all staff and faculty members. The principal, leader of the school is the ...
Before such things can be implemented, there is some specific ground work and strategies that must be done within the schools before situations or dealt with and handled. In this groundwork, principals are vital in the success of the program they implement in their schools (Ballard, Argus & Remley, 1999). They are the conductors of each category needed in a successful program. Principals must hold students and staff accountable for their roles in changing the climate of the school and they must allow for the time and manpower implementing a new program will take. Gil (2002, p. 73) explains that first a solid code of conduct must be in place and operating smoothly. These clearly stated rules are to be communicated to all students and staff what the expectation is for behavior and they must be “enforced without
Much of what is taken for granted in schools today are the things that will form the foundation for lifelong achievements of students. The imperatives are not only for schools to achieve top GSAT scores or have a group of students transitioning to traditional high schools, but to ensure that all the students that pass through the system are mold, shaped and equipped with the appropriate skills that will prepare them for life. Such skills include the ability to think critically, communicate well and work effectively in a team. If students are taught how to live and work together, they will be able to function harmoniously in a group, (Baker, 2006). A sustainable positive school climate fosters holistic development which is necessary for a productive contributory and sustainable life in a democratic society, (National School climate council, 2013.)
As a teacher it’s my job to constantly reflect on information that is being introduced to me and by doing so I feel I will have a greater influence on my student’s educational growth. With reflecting over our reading of “Social Structure and Culture” I learned such a great amount of information from this reading dealing with our schools social norms. The reading gave me great insight for what to really notice with our student’s social changes and culture in our constant changing environment. By noticing culture differences within our students, we will better understand them and not offend any of them.