Collaborative Learning Community Shaping School Culture by Living

Collaborative Learning Community: Shaping School Culture by Living the Vision and Mission Yellow Group: Brandon Dale, Denita Johnson, Nyla Kenne, & Theresa Thompson. EAD-513 September 12, 2018

Harding Middle School Vision and Mission Vision: “To be an innovative school that empowers each student to be academically, socially, and emotionally prepared for life. ” Mission: “Harding exists to ensure a safe space in which each student is afforded unique opportunities to learn and grow. ”

Embedding the Vision and Mission into the School Culture

Strategy 1: Communication Relentlessly • Statements need to be Strategic. • Relevant to the staff and stakeholders. • Communicate well and often with staff and stakeholders

Strategy 2: Involve Management • Be interested in the day-to-day function of the school. • Management should be involved in the strategic planning of the mission and vision that creates the culture of the school. • The mission critical functions needs to be appreciated.

Strategy 3: Hire Passionate People • Staff should be involved in building the school culture. • The mission and vision should be shared by the school and staff. • Management should motivate stakeholders to spark a passion for the mission and vision for the school.

Strategy 4: Lead with Integrity • “At its most basic level integrity, respect and trust is the assurance people have that one will certainly act in their best interest. ” • “We trust those who are honest and consistent in their actions. ” • As a leader it is important to lead with integrity to show students a path to success in the future. Azar, Shahid (2013) Integrity & Trust: The Defining Principles of Great Workplaces.

Strategy 5: Introduce Programs • Programs that develop a positive school culture that aligns with the vision. • A specific program that will be introduced is a Renaissance Program. • The program is built to reward students with 3. 0 or higher. • No behavior issues. • No tardy or absence issues • Build student rapport, and encourage student success

Strategy 5 Cont’: Recognize Students • Not only through Renaissance students will be recognized in various ways. 1. Postcards home. 2. Positive Referrals 3. Small Awards a. Certificates of excellence b. Student of the month posting c. #Why. You. Matter

Strategy 6: Make School Brand Visible • “Physical characteristics of primary schools do impact on pupils’ learning progress in reading, writing and mathematics. This impact is quite large…” • Display you mission and vision in various places, neatly around the school. • A strategy as simple as making sure the environment is welcoming and warm can encourage student success and safety.

Strategy 7: Create a Sense of Belonging • Develop strong positive relationships with the students and teachers • Create strong Professional Learning Communities • Invite, include and demonstrate the need for parents

Communicating the Vision and Mission to Various Stakeholders “A positive school culture is the underlying reason why the other components of successful schools were able to flourish. ” Habegger (2008)

Strategy 1: Leadership Team School Leadership communicates the shared vision to all stakeholders. • • • Keep the Vision visible Get everyone on board Value stakeholders engagement Use a variety of channels Value your school’s stories “The organizations that achieve this most successfully are rigorous in examining where they are now, where they want to be, and what they need to do in order to get there. (Monteith, 2018)

Strategy 2: Communicating Regularly With Stakeholders • Caregivers-Community • Regular newsletters to caregivers and community members • Open houses to give stakeholders a chance to see the school • Teachers • Weekly emails on how the vision and mission are being implemented in the school • Professional development that supports the vision and mission throughout the year • Students • Allowing student voice to be heard • Pep-assemblies to keep kids focused on the vision and mission

Strategy 3: Communicating Opportunities for Stakeholders to be Involved • Caregivers and Community Members • PTO meetings • School board meetings • Open forums • Teachers • Leadership team input • Professional Learning Communities • Student voice such as student council and clubs

References Barrett, Zhang, Davies, Barrett, (2015). Clever Classrooms. Summary report of the HEAD Project. University of Salford-Manchester. Azar, Shahid, (2013). Integrity & Trust: The Defining Principles of Great Workplaces. Journal of Management Research. Prince Sultan University. Volume 4. Number 5. Saudi Arabia Three ways to embed vision, values, mission and strategy to your corporate culture. (2018). Retrieved from https: //www. blogi. fujitsu. fi/2014/09/mikko-laaksonen-three-ways-to-embed-vision-values-mission-andstrategy-to-your-corporate-culture/ Gun, J. (2018). Wow – Factor Schools: 8 Ways to Build an Awesome School Culture. Retrieved from https: //education. cu-portland. edu/blog/curriculum-teaching-strategies/positive-school-culture/ Habegger, S. (2008). The principal’s role in successful schools: Creating a positive school culture. Retrieved from www. nasesp. org. Peterson, K. D. , & Deal, T. E. (2009). The shaping school culture fieldbook (2 nd ed. ). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from http: //gcumedia. com/digital-resources/wiley/2009/the-shaping-school-culturefieldbook_ebook_2 e. php Vision & Mission Statement | Harding Middle School. (2018). Retrieved from https: //harding. dmschools. org/academics/mission-statement/