transforming school culture

(1)

Transforming School

Culture

(2)

Outcomes for Today!

• You will understand how

school culture operates from a political, sociological and belief perspective

• You will learn some practical strategies to manipulate

school culture to

intentionally create a

positive atmosphere that maximizes student learning

• You will identify and

(3)

All About Me

• My background

• I was born and raised in Oakland

• I attended OUSD schools K-12th grades

• My experience

• I’ve been an educator for 28 years.

• _{I began teaching in small schools that focused}

on African centered education

• I joined OUSD in 1993 and taught for 14 years before becoming an administrator in 2007

with New Leaders, Cohort 7

• _{My resident year was at Acorn-Woodland} • _{This is my 5}th year as principal at Piedmont

(4)

My Family

• My husband

• Mubarak

• My children

• 1 Daughter

• 3 Sons

(5)

Vital Signs for Reform

• U.S. Census Bureau reports in 2011 that 43% of African American youth live in

homes that have incomes below the national poverty line.

• 65% of African American children live in homes headed by single parents

• _{Of the over two million incarcerated}

Americans, African American males account for 900,000 of the inmates

• _{84% of these inmates are functionally}

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More Vital Signs

• _{The Latino population in the U.S. has grown}

rapidly and they are now facing many of the issues that have plagued African Americans

• Poverty, and health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and mental

health.

• _{Regardless of race, students from poor}

(7)

Identified Links Between

High School Graduation and

the Quality of Life

• _{African American and Latino students}

graduate from high school at a rate slightly above 50%

• Adults without a high school diploma are twice as likely to be unemployed

• _{The life expectance of high school dropouts}

is 9.2 years less graduates

• _{The average 65 year old graduate is in}

(8)

In the words of the

Apollo 13 spacecraft:

“Houston,

we have

a

(9)

Why Are Our Kids

Dropping Out?

• Lack of a quality

education foundation in the early

years-failure in High School • Lack of interest

• Violence

• Family responsibilities • Becoming a parent

(10)

Need for Positive

School Culture and

Climate

• We have to make school a place

where students want to be

• _{It begins with the}

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Defining School Culture

• “School culture is the set of norms, values and

beliefs, rituals

and ceremonies, symbols and

(12)

Positive School Culture

Teachers’ Belief Relationships

• Teachers work together to support student and

teacher growth

• Share best practices

• Students and families feel supported by teachers

and the school

• Positive attitudes

• All children can learn

• All children will learn because of what we do.

(13)

Toxic

• Staff does not believe in the students ability to learn

• Negative attitudes

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My School

• _{SF Examiner ran}

story due to a bullying incident where a

student suffered a skull fracture

• _{Labeled the most} violent school in OUSD due to high number of

suspensions for violent behavior

• Hurt feelings

• Mediocre Teachers

• No trust

• African Americans

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Three Big Rocks: Year One

1. Efficacy: Professional Development on Beliefs! Motto:

Believe You Can! Work Hard! Get SMART! The Future is NOW!

2. College Going Culture: All Classrooms named after colleges and universities with the belief that are students will get there.

3. Celebrations: Weekly Student Summits, Awards for academic growth, Core Values, Charms,

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Piedmont Avenue

Student Behavior

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Smaller Rocks

• Began Professional Learning

Communities-Cycle of Inquiry, Best Practices

• Established a Teacher Leadership Team

• Exposed teachers to other schools that were getting results (Dropping seeds for academic changes for year two)

• _{Kept an open door, visible, smiling,}

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Traits of Leadership

Character to Build Trust

• Do not make promises that cannot be kept.

• _{Back your people when it counts}

• _{Take responsibility and be publicly}

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Year Two: Academics

• Introduced and adopted Si Swun Math for all grade levels. Provided training and

support.

• _{Introduced and adopted “Read, THINK,}

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Year Three

• Change Prep from Art and Dance to Science/Art

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Piedmont Avenue

Proficient and Advanced

• Math 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

51% 67% 61% 73% (+12%)

• ELA 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 44% 49% 49% 55% (+6%)

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Living in Dialogue

Dyad Protocol

• Describe a school culture dilemma at your site and the possible root causes

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Leadership Matters

• Lead teachers in the process of learning. Expose them to knowledge that enlightens their practice and gives them a new context to believe in student growth.

• Familiarize yourself with the history of the school and

community, and articulate a vision that will inspire others to think in new ways.

• Continue to improve your skills and credentials. Nothing says competence like a person who exhibits the quality of lifelong learning.

• Be the change you want to see.

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