B.J. Berg

Best Practices in School Culture Leadership  (March 2009)

B.J. Berg, principal
South Terrace Elementary School, Carlton

School culture, what is it? “It” is actually something that defines us as a school: who we are and what we are about. It also can be described as the climate of the school. School culture is a compilation of all the focused efforts we employ within our school and how we go about implementing these efforts to support student achievement and growth. Our character building efforts, curriculum delivery and support, academic initiatives, policies and procedures, leadership within our ranks, professional development, programs that align with our overall mission, etc. come together to help define our own school’s culture.

Dr. Christopher Wagner, co-director of the Center for Improved School Culture, defines school culture as “shared experiences both in and out of school, such as traditions and celebrations, a sense of community, of family and team.” Dr. Wagner goes on to say that “a school’s performance never will improve until the school culture is one where people feel valued, safe, and share the goal of self-improvement. Schools that have improved have put the emphasis on culture. Culture should precede programs. If teams of people do not improve, a school never will.”

Three major indicators of the health of a school’s culture are collaboration, collegiality, and efficacy.

• Collaboration is characterized as the degree to which people work together, share information and instructional strategies, and are encouraged to have constructive discussions and debates.
• Collegiality is about a sense of belonging, emotional support, and inclusion as a valued member of the organization.
• Efficacy tends to focus on how stakeholders view themselves. Do they feel as if they have control of their destinies or do they view themselves as helpless victims of “the system?” Do they respect research-supported evidence about good teaching or are they rigidly attached to the status quo?
  

“That is true culture which helps us to work for the social betterment of all.” Henry Ward Beecher

Signs of a positive school culture include:

• Staff stability and common goals permeate the school.
• Curricular and instructional components are well defined.
• Open and honest communication is encouraged, and staff members demonstrate humor and trust.
• Stakeholders are recognized in school-wide celebrations.
• Staff members are recognized; they are called to the center of the gym for recognition.
• School leaders and district leaders provide tangible support.

What is your role as principal and leader of school culture and growth?
The most effective change in school culture happens when principals, teachers, and students model the values and beliefs important to the school. The actions of the principal are noticed by others as “what is important.” A principal who acts with care and concern for others is more likely to develop a school culture with similar values. Principals should work to develop shared visions (rooted in history, values, beliefs) of what the school should be, hire compatible staff, face conflict rather than avoid it, foster collaboration and collegiality, and nurture teachers as leaders on the path to efficacy. Putting people before paper and working on team-building will yield growth towards a more positive school culture.

“Every man’s ability may be strengthened or increased by culture.” John Abbott