Much has caused me to reflect on the issue of culture and whose responsibility it is to shape the culture of a school? Much can be said about the saying "Culture eats programs for breakfast" which can be true in some of my experiences. One cannot expect meaningful change as a leader if they haven't created a culture that is positive and conducive to change. Shaping a culture may the most difficult thing a prospective leader has,but I have identified a few key ways to get started on the right foot.
Truly Get to Know Your Staff:
It is imperative to take the time to form a meaningful relationship with the people that will be working with you, especially if you are new to a district. A faculty yearns for a connection with their leader and hope that you have some semblance of humanity. Find ways to foster fun, team building activities inside and out of the school setting to form those relationships. Visit classrooms in a non-evaluatory manner just to visit with students, participate in lessons, or find time to talk to your staff about what's going on in their life.
But Know Where to Draw the Line: We have had a professor talk extensively about how it is almost impossible to maintain prior friendships with people who know work under you. The idea of friendships or preferential treatment for staff is a culture killer and must be avoided at all costs. Some of the best administrators I have seen are able to form valuable relationships with their staff, but do so in a way that is equitable to your staff. Basically, there should be no difference in how well you know and the amount of rapport you have with your worst, grumpiest, smelliest, teacher and your most outgoing or best teacher.
Recognize and Value your Staff:
Teachers and staff work tremendously hard in often times less than ideal circumstances. Raises and bonuses are not possible in our field, but we can reward and recognize our staff with a positive handwritten note, verbal praises, or opportunities to explore/take ownership. Taking the time to let the people that work with you know that what they do is being appreciated will go a long way towards gaining buy in when it is time to implement any kind of meaningful change. Todd Whitaker routinely says that it is "People, not Programs, that make a difference" and we must live by that adage. Invest in the people and they will run through a wall to make your school a great place to be.
Truly Get to Know Your Staff:
It is imperative to take the time to form a meaningful relationship with the people that will be working with you, especially if you are new to a district. A faculty yearns for a connection with their leader and hope that you have some semblance of humanity. Find ways to foster fun, team building activities inside and out of the school setting to form those relationships. Visit classrooms in a non-evaluatory manner just to visit with students, participate in lessons, or find time to talk to your staff about what's going on in their life.
But Know Where to Draw the Line: We have had a professor talk extensively about how it is almost impossible to maintain prior friendships with people who know work under you. The idea of friendships or preferential treatment for staff is a culture killer and must be avoided at all costs. Some of the best administrators I have seen are able to form valuable relationships with their staff, but do so in a way that is equitable to your staff. Basically, there should be no difference in how well you know and the amount of rapport you have with your worst, grumpiest, smelliest, teacher and your most outgoing or best teacher.
Recognize and Value your Staff:
Teachers and staff work tremendously hard in often times less than ideal circumstances. Raises and bonuses are not possible in our field, but we can reward and recognize our staff with a positive handwritten note, verbal praises, or opportunities to explore/take ownership. Taking the time to let the people that work with you know that what they do is being appreciated will go a long way towards gaining buy in when it is time to implement any kind of meaningful change. Todd Whitaker routinely says that it is "People, not Programs, that make a difference" and we must live by that adage. Invest in the people and they will run through a wall to make your school a great place to be.