STANDARD THREE
Cultural Leadership
Principals will understand and act on the understanding of the important role a school’s culture plays in contributing to the exemplary performance of the school. Principals must support and value the traditions, artifacts, symbols and positive values and norms of the school and community that result in a sense of identity and pride upon which to build a positive future. A principal must be able to “re-culture” the school if needed to align with school’s goals of improving student and adult learning and to infuse the work of the adults and students with passion, meaning and purpose. Cultural leadership implies understanding the school and the people in it each day, how they came to their current state, and how to connect with their traditions in order to move them forward to support the school’s efforts to achieve individual and collective goals.
Principals will understand and act on the understanding of the important role a school’s culture plays in contributing to the exemplary performance of the school. Principals must support and value the traditions, artifacts, symbols and positive values and norms of the school and community that result in a sense of identity and pride upon which to build a positive future. A principal must be able to “re-culture” the school if needed to align with school’s goals of improving student and adult learning and to infuse the work of the adults and students with passion, meaning and purpose. Cultural leadership implies understanding the school and the people in it each day, how they came to their current state, and how to connect with their traditions in order to move them forward to support the school’s efforts to achieve individual and collective goals.
Element 3A: Focus on Collaborative Work Environment
The school executive understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative environment can play in the school's culture.
The school executive understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative environment can play in the school's culture.
Recognizing the importance of a Positive Culture is key to successfully implement change within a school building. During my residency I worked to create that culture in our building. I, along with the administrative team, used our resources to give back to the teachers with giveaways at the conclusion of the first semester. Teachers were given different classrooms each day of the first week of the second semester. Knowing that the positive culture of the school should include students, I created Interactive Bulletin Boards for the Staff and Students to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and the 100 Days of School. Teachers and students were allowed to write notes of gratitude, tell what brought them joy and tell what they loved about ECES.
Element 3B: School Culture and Identity
The school executive develops and uses a shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of a school.
The school executive develops and uses a shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of a school.
Kindness is extremely important in all cultures but especially in an elementary school. Using the book, Kindness Starts with You, I challenged three classrooms to complete a Kindness Challenge Bingo board. I went into the classrooms as a guest reader to share the book with the classes and introduce the activity explaining that the students would earn a trip to my office when completing the bingo board. The second, third and fourth grade classes rose to the challenge and within the month of November at least two of the classes had 100% participation.
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3C: Acknowledges Failures; Celebrates Accomplishments and Rewards
The school executive acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.
The school executive acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.
During my residency, attending Bus Coordinator meetings was a monthly task. During the meetings the Bus Coordinator would deliver necessary information to all drivers and present Perfect Attendance Awards. I made sure to acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments like this not just in the meetings but in the entire school community using posts on social media.
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Johnston County Public Schools honors employees for going above and beyond in and outside of the classroom with the district’s annual “Leading with the Heart” Award. This Award is inspired from Mike Krzyewski’s book, “Leading with the Heart,” and recognizes employees throughout the school system that demonstrate leadership, compassion, and heart on a daily basis. Each school and central services department selects one person from their staff to be honored at this special event. Those who were recognized all take pride in their work, are meticulous in their work ethic, and are mentors and good role models. Honorees often volunteer for extra work duties, or they volunteer in the community. They are generous and constantly look for ways to help others, are consistently reliable, respectful, determined, and passionate. During my residency I had the honor of creating the video for Debbie HInes, East Clayton's Leading with the Heart recipient. This video was used at the district's celebration for our recipients and their families.
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3D: Efficacy and Empowerment
The school executive develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school's identity, culture and performance.
The school executive develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school's identity, culture and performance.
Throughout my MSA class experience I was challenged to examine the state of the schools and systems where I worked. One assignment that I completed under those parameters was in ELP 550: Principles of Educational Leadership and Empowerment course, in this assignment I examined how my school was currently building capacity and creating teacher-leaders. This assignment allowed me to recognize the importance of intentionally implementing processes and procedures to ensure staff have opportunities to showcase their own talents and help one another grow as professionals.
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