Teaching to Change the World – Chapter 9 – The School Culture
While teaching 4th grade at my previous school in Clayton County I always felt like I was on the outside looking in. I honestly can’t tell you what the school culture was like, because I didn’t even feel like I was a part of it. At my current school, although our culture isn’t all that it can be, I can now say that I’m beginning to feel as though I’m a part of what’s going on. However, we’ve got a long way to go. There are quite a few teachers that are VERY unhappy about the current state of affairs. There’s a certain level of tension that seems to permeate the building. But I’m NOT going to give up hope. We’ve got to stop moaning and complaining about the things that have already happended and stop perpetuating this negative outlook on things that just won’t go away. I truly believe that we have the potential to develop a strong sense of school culture. We’ve got many capable and hardworking teachers who, if given the opportunity, can make a positive difference in our school. I plan to consistently remind myself of the 4 key principles of a positive school culture mentioned at the beginning of this chapter: 1) A press for learning and social justice, 2) Broad and deep access to learning, 3) Caring relationships, and 4) Teacher inquiry and activism. Wouldn’t it be great if every teacher, every day, did just one thing in order achieve these principles? It’s small, but it’s a start, and we’ve got to start somewhere.
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Corey,
I agree with you that there is hope for creating a positive school culture at SES. The 5 years I have been at SES it seems to have gotten worse; however, sometimes things have to get worse in order to get better. I have high hopes that we can and will accomplish a more productive, positive climate that enhances high student achievement with the new leadership at our school. It won’t happen overnight, but I do see signs of change! Maybe we should post the 4 key principles somewhere very visible in our school.
Corey,
I also like those 4 principles mentioned in the chapter.
We could make a little book for pre-planning with all of the good quotes, article, etc we have received from this program. I agree with what you have said in your blog–I have been one that complains and moans about our school culture but it is the kids that keep me there. We have so many teachers that come in and out of our school and that is not good for the kids. So there is always a part of me that wants to try and stay there for that reason–it is that mission to make our school positive and the kids successful. I think our kids have come a long way since I started teaching there. There is progression and they are being successful.
I agree…and sometimes when one is unhappy it is a sign that maybe the person needs to become an activist for change in the school culture. I am currently the department chair for our grade level and am on the Local School Improvement Team at our school. I see this as an opportunity for me to let my voice and my grade levels voice be heard. Change cannot happen unless someone leads the way…