Building the Right Culture in our Schools

Nothing matters more than a school's culture in determining the quality of that school. All of its professional development efforts, helping its teachers learn new techniques to differentiate instruction, or addressing different learning styles, or helping students with disabilities, pale in comparison. As one pundit put it, "School culture eats strategies for breakfast."

So when I was asked to begin a new Catholic high school in Fairhope, Al, I was keenly aware that my most important task was to become a kind of "architect" for the culture. But what are the key parts to that? Often, it's easier to "see" or "feel"  a good school culture (or a bad one!) than articulate the component parts.

Early in my career, I came across an excellent article in Educational Leadership entitled "Good Seeds Grow in Strong Cultures" (Jon Saphier and Matthew King, 1985) which has shaped my thinking ever since. In the article, they list out 12 features of a strong school culture. I am convinced their insights are just as poignant, 32 years later:

1) Collegiality--Teachers help each other out. They care for the school as a whole. They assist younger colleagues, help plan in-services, and support each other. 

2) High expectations--Teachers and principals are accountable for high standards. While this adds stress to everyone, including students and parents, everyone is proud to be part of a dynamic organization that takes kids as far as they can go.

3) Experimentation--Teachers and principals are willing to try new things, even if they fail. If they fail, they discard them and try something else.

4) Trust and confidence-Teachers feel supported by the administration to use their best professional judgment so as to get results in the classroom. Saphier and King describe this as a "loose-tight" approach, remarking that "While leaders need to be direct about what they expect, excellent leaders give people plenty of latitude in choosing how to achieve it."

5) Tangible support--Teachers get the resources they need and the time to collaborate with colleagues.

6) Reaching out to the knowledge base--In an "aggressively curious manner," the school constantly discusses the latest research on pedagogy and ways to improve.

7) Appreciation and Recognition--Administrators are aware of what's happening in classrooms, visiting them often, aware of teachers doing a really good job, and affirming them publicly and privately often.

8) Caring, Celebration and Humor--Staff members gather together for celebrations, eat with each other in the faculty room, laugh with each other.

9) Involvement in Decision-Making--Teachers have a meaningful role in the formulation of school policies but are not pestered for every single detail.

10) Protection of What's Important--Class time is regarded as sacred, with minimal disruptions. Absenteeism is addressed. Faculty meetings respect teachers' time and are run efficiently. 

11) Traditions--There are things the school celebrates and enjoys. The school sees itself as "caretaker" to these traditions, tending to them, keeping them focused on the school's mission.

12) Open and honest communication--"Around here," one might say, "we can disagree and discuss, resolving in a constructive way. We care about this place, and care about what we're building here. "

If we can build a school culture with these 12 traits, what an exciting place to work! What an even more exciting place to learn! Build well.