THE INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL CULTURE

School culture generally refers to patterns, beliefs and traditions that form within the school and remain constant over a period of time. These behaviors are passed down from generation to generation as new teachers come into the education system.

When new leaders arrive, they have the ability to influence these patterns and traditions. But making changes can have a detrimental effect on morale if they are resisted by the faculty. For example, some older teachers might become upset if they are forced to incorporate more technology in the class.

SCHOOL CULTURE

The concept of culture refers to a group’s shared beliefs, customs, and behaviour

Culture affects what people focus on and also affects motivation. Motivation affects productivity. Culture is key to productivity.

"School culture is the set of norms, values and beliefs, rituals and ceremonies, symbols and stories that make up the 'persona' of the school," says Dr. Kent D.

Here the culture of the school will be viewed as the existence of an interplay between three factors: the attitudes and beliefs of persons both inside the school and in the external environment, the cultural norms of the school, and the relationships between persons in the school.

Culture affects how people think, feel, and act (Peterson & Deal, 2002) and has been shown to play an important role in the professional growth of educators (Peterson, 2002)

In a school with a positive culture, Peterson says, “There's an informal network of heroes and heroines and an informal grapevine that passes along information about what's going on in the school... A set of values that supports professional development of teachers, a sense of responsibility for student learning, and a positive, caring atmosphere" exist.

On the other hand, in a toxic school environment, "teacher relations are often conflictual, the staff doesn't believe in the ability of the students to succeed, and a generally negative attitude" prevails, notes Peterson.

POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE?

Staff and administrators in a positive school culture believe they have the ability to achieve their ambitions. Their counterparts operating in a negative school environment lack faith in the possibility of realizing their visions.

School culture has a profound effect on staff development. "It affects attitudes toward spending time to improve instruction, motivation to attend workshops, and the activities people choose to participate in," Peterson says.

Toxic or Positive?

Which term describes your school's culture?

A toxic school culture blames students for lack of progress, discourages collaboration, breeds hostility among staff.

A positive school culture celebrates success, emphasizes accomplishment and collaboration fosters a commitment to staff and student learning.

CHANGING A TOXIC CULTURE According to Peterson, schools with a

negative or toxic culture• lack a clear sense of purpose• have norms that reinforce inertia• blame students for lack of progress• discourage collaboration• often have actively hostile relations among staff.

For ‘school culture’ to contribute to improve student learning it requires:

A focus on learning (students and teachers) A focus on collaboration A focus on smart goals and results It needs timely and relevant information

For this to be achieved, there must be shared values including:

A willingness to acknowledge ‘I don’t know’ Being ‘critical friends’ can be helpful, both for teaching and curriculum development teams Admitting you need help is not a sign of weakness but an indication of self awareness and growth

Asking for help from a department head or team leader is ok, even expected, and will not be used against the teacher A willingness to listen to all ideas, and contribute regardless of acceptance of one’s ideas or not Accepting responsibility for improving student learning and active research to decide how and what to improve, avoiding isolation

BUT: this is not easy to achieve when some accept these as normal and others don’t

Ben Walden:

Before we can influence others we must understand how they influence themselves because it will be different to how we influence ourselves…

In order to lead effectively, you ‘need compelling narratives framed to the people you are talking to’

THE INFLUENCE OF STAKEHOLDERS

Who are the stakeholders of a school?

School stakeholders are not only the school board, parents, staff, and students, but also local business owners, community groups and leaders, professional organizations, potential enrollments, youth organizations, the faith community, media, etc. Anyone who affects or is affected by the school's actions.

The roles of distinctive educational stakeholders-school board members, teachers, parents, and students-who are closely involved in the overall operations of schools.

School Board Members

A school board is comprised of members that are usually elected by the residents of the school district

The size of a school board varies between districts and from city to city; similarly, the power of the boards will vary between districts and from city to city.

School boards have the power to hire and fire teachers and administrators. They are the guardians of the policy that help implement changes that will benefit the district.

Teachers The teacher, along with the student, plays an

interactive role in the education process because one cannot function without the other.

The teacher as a stakeholder is expected to possess the professional knowledge to lead the students in instruction. In addition to serving in an instructional role the teacher can be a mentor, supervisor, counsellor, and community leader.

The teacher can be a mentor to students or other teachers. The role of supervisor is present in every aspect of a teacher's daily responsibilities. The teacher's role as counsellor can be used to offer advice to students or school advisory committees.

Parents

Parents play key roles as educational stakeholders. Parents' primary objective is the assurance that their children will receive a quality education, which will enable the children to lead productive rewarding lives as adults in a global society.

For instance, parent involvement with their children's educational process through attending school functions, participating in the decision making process, encouraging students to manage their social and academic time wisely

Students

The student plays the lead role in the educational process and as stakeholders are expected to participate in the process.

Although the student's primary role is that of a recipient, students should be encouraged to exercise their decision-making role in the education process.

By giving aid to the decision-making process students become an integral part of a successful institution.

"Successful schools encourage significant participation by

parents, students and teachers (Wilson, 2008)."

“ A school’s culture is not static. It is a continual process in which attitudes, values and skills continually reinforce each other.”

With respect to the above statement, you are about to innovate and try something new for the children in your school. You are thinking big and you know you cannot do it alone. Whom do you involve and why?