As educational leaders, we must focus on strategies to improve our school culture. Two years ago, we began to intentionally focus on our school culture and we have experienced great success during this time. Below is some of the data that our efforts have produced:
- Received Distinguished status
- Teacher attendance has improved 57%
- Student discipline has declined by 769 events
- Exclusive member of the 2017 TELL KY Winners’ Circle
Over the next several months, I will share strategies that we have used with our staff, students, and community to enhance our school culture. This month, I will share the first set of activities we implemented with our staff. My hope is that something I share will spark an idea that you can apply within your own school/district.
- One Word
- Staff were asked to read One Word by Jon Gordon. After reading each staff member was asked to choose “one word” that will be their personal focus for the school year. Staff members chose words such as: inspire, believe, challenge, patience, purpose, joy, etc. Each staff member was given a 4x6 printout to hang outside their classroom door with their “one word” on it. We also created a banner with all of the “one words” to display in the front lobby. We knew we needed to keep our “one words” in front of us in order to remind us of our focus. It also allowed us to keep each other accountable.
- Voluntary Book Studies
- We have voluntary book studies each Friday morning before school. We have breakfast available and staff receive 30 minutes of professional development for each Friday morning they attend. Doug Gloyd, MSMS Assistant Principal, leads the book studies and creates a fun environment for our staff to grow as a family and to grow professionally and personally as well. Book studies have included: The Energy Bus, The Carpenter, The Seed, and The No Complaining Rule. We are currently reading Soup, and next semester is Training Camp. We have one book study each semester.
- Staff Birthdays
- At the beginning of the year, I tell teachers that on their birthday I will teach one of their classes. If the day of their birthday date doesn’t work for them, then they can set up a different day for me to teach one of their classes.
- Staff Spotlight
- We draw a teacher’s name to be recognized for our Staff Spotlight. I send an email out to the staff letting them know who the staff member is, and then ask them to send me any positive comments they have for this individual. I collect these and then send an email to the staff member with their positive comments. I also use Wordle.com to create a word collage of the positive comments. The wordle is then printed and given to the staff member. I still find these posted in the teachers’ classroom.
Next month, I will share even more activities that we have used with staff to improve our school culture.