Creative Strategies to Transform School Culture
Purchase
Description
"Principals at all levels will find this book valuable. It translates espoused theories of climate and culture into practical ideas."
—Boyd Dressler, Associate Adjunct Professor
Montana State University
"Focused, to the point, and direct—a quick read for a busy principal looking for ideas."
—Leslie A. Standerfer, Principal
Estrella Foothills High School, Goodyear, AZ
Set the tone for educational success!
School culture is one of the most important factors in student and staff performance. Positive climates foster superior achievement, while negative climates discourage learners, educators, and parents alike. Based on thirty years of combined experience as school principals, staff developers, and educational leaders, John F. and Sheila Eller present a wide spectrum of unique, practical, and proven strategies to improve school climate and culture.
Divided into chapters that emphasize the main components of school culture, this guide allows busy school leaders to go directly to the section that best addresses their specific needs. The authors provide a clear definition of culture along with diagnostic tools to help readers determine the state of their school's culture. Chapters feature activities and ideas to:
- Foster personal rapport and collegiality between staff members
- Develop collaborative work relationships
- Improve staff meetings
- Address issues related to office operations
- Deal appropriately with conflict
Creative Strategies to Transform School Culture offers fun and inventive ideas for school leaders who are working diligently to create a collaborative teaching and learning environment.
Contents
Preface
Preface
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
- 1. Culture and Climate
- About This Chapter
- School Climate Versus Culture
- Rapport, Trust, Climate, Culture, and Their Interrelationship
- The Importance of Trust
- Building and Sustaining Organizational Trust
- Strategies to Build Trust and Impact School Climate
- Summary
- 2. Diagnosing the Present Climate and Culture of Your School
- About This Chapter
- Informal Diagnostic Strategies
- Formal or Structured Diagnostic Instruments
- Planning Templates
- Summary
- 3. Building the Foundation for Success
- About This Chapter
- Working With the Office Staff
- Strategy: Planning and Developing an Effective Office Staff
- Creating a Positive Physical Environment for Staff
- Strategy: Through These Doors
- Welcoming Staff Back to School
- Activity: Getting to Know Your Teachers and Staff
- Activity: Welcome Back Barbeque
- Refreshments for Staff
- Business Cards for Staff
- Name Plates for Teachers
- Positive Message
- First Day Survival Kit
- Ice Cream Social Event
- Breakfast for Staff
- Wrapping Up the Classroom
- Book Fair Gifts
- Summary
- 4. Building an Emotional Base for Your Climate and Culture Improvements
- About This Chapter
- Activity: Measuring Their Impact
- Activity: I Remember When...
- Activity: Descriptive Footwear
- Activity: The Boot Award
- Activity: Jack-O-Lanterns
- Activity: Block of Support
- Activity: Artifact Introductions
- Activity: The Thank You Blitz
- Activity: Candle Ceremony
- Activity: Bag of Positive Phrases
- Activity: Spread the Word
- Activity: Reward With a Smile
- Activity: A Novel Staff
- Activity: Floating or Traveling Trophy
- Activity: Jelly Bean Questions
- Activity: Snowball Fight
- Summary
- 5. Staff Meeting Starters to Build Culture
- Activity: Good News
- Activity: Human Bingo
- Activity: Who's Connected
- Activity: My Piece of the Pie
- Activity: I'm a Card
- Summary
- 6. Activities to Couple With Tasks and Decisions
- About This Chapter
- Activity: Future Set
- Activity: Carouseling
- Strategy: Leafing Out With Goal Attainment
- Activity: Comparison Diagram
- Activity: Buy What Is Most Important
- Activity: It's a Star
- Activity: Criteria Rating
- Activity: Progressive Problem Solving
- Activity: From My Perspective
- Activity: Ripple Effects
- Activity: Small Group Ripple Effects
- Activity: Sticky Note Ripple Effects
- Activity: Ripple Effects Contest
- Activity: Carousel Ripple Effects
- Summary
- 7. Building a Sense of Team
- About This Chapter
- Interdependence, Community, and Their Impact on School Climate and Culture
- Activity: Toxic Waste Transfer
- Activity: Figure It Out
- Activity: Communication Problems
- Activity: All Tied Up
- Activity: Passing the Hoop
- Activity: Building a Poker Hand
- Activity: Hula Hoop Relays
- Activity: Circle of Support
- Activity: Rising Tower
- Activity: It Takes a Village
- Summary
- 8. We're Not Getting Along; Now What?
- About This Chapter
- The Nature of Conflict
- Activity: Pack Up Your Baggage
- Activity: Parking Lot Meeting
- Activity: Transfer the Anger
- Activity: Ashes to Ashes
- Activity: Go to Your Corners
- Activity: Corner on Perspectives
- Activity: Victory Laps
- Activity: Half-Full or Half-Empty
- Activity: Compare our Perspectives
- Activity: Peeling the Onion
- Mediating Between Conflicting Parties
- Productive Influence of Conflict on a Team
- Conflict and Chaos
- Summary
- 9. Celebrating Your Success
- About This Chapter
- Strategy: Planning the Celebration at the Start of the Initiative
- Activity: High Fives
- Activity: Banana Splits
- Activity: Gallery Walk
- Strategy: Trophy Case Displays
- Strategy: Get Out of Duty Cards
- Strategy: Success Thermometer
- Summary
- 10. Supporting Climate and Cultural Change as a Leader
- About This Chapter
- Step 1: Understand Your Strengths, Weaknesses, and Inhibitions
- Step 2: Build a Seedbed
- Step 3: Plant the Seeds
- Step 4: Nurture Them, Watch Them Grow
- Step 5: Pull the Weeds
- Step 6: Harvest the Crop
- Summary
References
References
Index
Index
Description
"Principals at all levels will find this book valuable. It translates espoused theories of climate and culture into practical ideas."
—Boyd Dressler, Associate Adjunct Professor
Montana State University
"Focused, to the point, and direct—a quick read for a busy principal looking for ideas."
—Leslie A. Standerfer, Principal
Estrella Foothills High School, Goodyear, AZ
Set the tone for educational success!
School culture is one of the most important factors in student and staff performance. Positive climates foster superior achievement, while negative climates discourage learners, educators, and parents alike. Based on thirty years of combined experience as school principals, staff developers, and educational leaders, John F. and Sheila Eller present a wide spectrum of unique, practical, and proven strategies to improve school climate and culture.
Divided into chapters that emphasize the main components of school culture, this guide allows busy school leaders to go directly to the section that best addresses their specific needs. The authors provide a clear definition of culture along with diagnostic tools to help readers determine the state of their school's culture. Chapters feature activities and ideas to:
- Foster personal rapport and collegiality between staff members
- Develop collaborative work relationships
- Improve staff meetings
- Address issues related to office operations
- Deal appropriately with conflict
Creative Strategies to Transform School Culture offers fun and inventive ideas for school leaders who are working diligently to create a collaborative teaching and learning environment.
Contents
Preface
Preface
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
- 1. Culture and Climate
- About This Chapter
- School Climate Versus Culture
- Rapport, Trust, Climate, Culture, and Their Interrelationship
- The Importance of Trust
- Building and Sustaining Organizational Trust
- Strategies to Build Trust and Impact School Climate
- Summary
- 2. Diagnosing the Present Climate and Culture of Your School
- About This Chapter
- Informal Diagnostic Strategies
- Formal or Structured Diagnostic Instruments
- Planning Templates
- Summary
- 3. Building the Foundation for Success
- About This Chapter
- Working With the Office Staff
- Strategy: Planning and Developing an Effective Office Staff
- Creating a Positive Physical Environment for Staff
- Strategy: Through These Doors
- Welcoming Staff Back to School
- Activity: Getting to Know Your Teachers and Staff
- Activity: Welcome Back Barbeque
- Refreshments for Staff
- Business Cards for Staff
- Name Plates for Teachers
- Positive Message
- First Day Survival Kit
- Ice Cream Social Event
- Breakfast for Staff
- Wrapping Up the Classroom
- Book Fair Gifts
- Summary
- 4. Building an Emotional Base for Your Climate and Culture Improvements
- About This Chapter
- Activity: Measuring Their Impact
- Activity: I Remember When...
- Activity: Descriptive Footwear
- Activity: The Boot Award
- Activity: Jack-O-Lanterns
- Activity: Block of Support
- Activity: Artifact Introductions
- Activity: The Thank You Blitz
- Activity: Candle Ceremony
- Activity: Bag of Positive Phrases
- Activity: Spread the Word
- Activity: Reward With a Smile
- Activity: A Novel Staff
- Activity: Floating or Traveling Trophy
- Activity: Jelly Bean Questions
- Activity: Snowball Fight
- Summary
- 5. Staff Meeting Starters to Build Culture
- Activity: Good News
- Activity: Human Bingo
- Activity: Who's Connected
- Activity: My Piece of the Pie
- Activity: I'm a Card
- Summary
- 6. Activities to Couple With Tasks and Decisions
- About This Chapter
- Activity: Future Set
- Activity: Carouseling
- Strategy: Leafing Out With Goal Attainment
- Activity: Comparison Diagram
- Activity: Buy What Is Most Important
- Activity: It's a Star
- Activity: Criteria Rating
- Activity: Progressive Problem Solving
- Activity: From My Perspective
- Activity: Ripple Effects
- Activity: Small Group Ripple Effects
- Activity: Sticky Note Ripple Effects
- Activity: Ripple Effects Contest
- Activity: Carousel Ripple Effects
- Summary
- 7. Building a Sense of Team
- About This Chapter
- Interdependence, Community, and Their Impact on School Climate and Culture
- Activity: Toxic Waste Transfer
- Activity: Figure It Out
- Activity: Communication Problems
- Activity: All Tied Up
- Activity: Passing the Hoop
- Activity: Building a Poker Hand
- Activity: Hula Hoop Relays
- Activity: Circle of Support
- Activity: Rising Tower
- Activity: It Takes a Village
- Summary
- 8. We're Not Getting Along; Now What?
- About This Chapter
- The Nature of Conflict
- Activity: Pack Up Your Baggage
- Activity: Parking Lot Meeting
- Activity: Transfer the Anger
- Activity: Ashes to Ashes
- Activity: Go to Your Corners
- Activity: Corner on Perspectives
- Activity: Victory Laps
- Activity: Half-Full or Half-Empty
- Activity: Compare our Perspectives
- Activity: Peeling the Onion
- Mediating Between Conflicting Parties
- Productive Influence of Conflict on a Team
- Conflict and Chaos
- Summary
- 9. Celebrating Your Success
- About This Chapter
- Strategy: Planning the Celebration at the Start of the Initiative
- Activity: High Fives
- Activity: Banana Splits
- Activity: Gallery Walk
- Strategy: Trophy Case Displays
- Strategy: Get Out of Duty Cards
- Strategy: Success Thermometer
- Summary
- 10. Supporting Climate and Cultural Change as a Leader
- About This Chapter
- Step 1: Understand Your Strengths, Weaknesses, and Inhibitions
- Step 2: Build a Seedbed
- Step 3: Plant the Seeds
- Step 4: Nurture Them, Watch Them Grow
- Step 5: Pull the Weeds
- Step 6: Harvest the Crop
- Summary
References
References
Index
Index
Reviews
July 2009 | 176 pages | Corwin
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperback | 28/04/2023 | 9781412961189 | $39.95 |
| Hardcover | 27/02/2023 | 9781412961172 | $79.95 |
| Lifetime | 28/04/2023 | 9781452272634 | $36.00 |
"Principals at all levels will find this book valuable. It translates espoused theories of climate and culture into practical ideas."
—Boyd Dressler, Associate Adjunct Professor
Montana State University
"Focused, to the point, and direct—a quick read for a busy principal looking for ideas."
—Leslie A. Standerfer, Principal
Estrella Foothills High School, Goodyear, AZ
Set the tone for educational success!
School culture is one of the most important factors in student and staff performance. Positive climates foster superior achievement, while negative climates discourage learners, educators, and parents alike. Based on thirty years of combined experience as school principals, staff developers, and educational leaders, John F. and Sheila Eller present a wide spectrum of unique, practical, and proven strategies to improve school climate and culture.
Divided into chapters that emphasize the main components of school culture, this guide allows busy school leaders to go directly to the section that best addresses their specific needs. The authors provide a clear definition of culture along with diagnostic tools to help readers determine the state of their school's culture. Chapters feature activities and ideas to:
- Foster personal rapport and collegiality between staff members
- Develop collaborative work relationships
- Improve staff meetings
- Address issues related to office operations
- Deal appropriately with conflict
Creative Strategies to Transform School Culture offers fun and inventive ideas for school leaders who are working diligently to create a collaborative teaching and learning environment.
Table Of Contents:
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- About the Authors
- 1. Culture and Climate
- About This Chapter
- School Climate Versus Culture
- Rapport, Trust, Climate, Culture, and Their Interrelationship
- The Importance of Trust
- Building and Sustaining Organizational Trust
- Strategies to Build Trust and Impact School Climate
- Summary
- 2. Diagnosing the Present Climate and Culture of Your School
- About This Chapter
- Informal Diagnostic Strategies
- Formal or Structured Diagnostic Instruments
- Planning Templates
- Summary
- 3. Building the Foundation for Success
- About This Chapter
- Working With the Office Staff
- Strategy: Planning and Developing an Effective Office Staff
- Creating a Positive Physical Environment for Staff
- Strategy: Through These Doors
- Welcoming Staff Back to School
- Activity: Getting to Know Your Teachers and Staff
- Activity: Welcome Back Barbeque
- Refreshments for Staff
- Business Cards for Staff
- Name Plates for Teachers
- Positive Message
- First Day Survival Kit
- Ice Cream Social Event
- Breakfast for Staff
- Wrapping Up the Classroom
- Book Fair Gifts
- Summary
- 4. Building an Emotional Base for Your Climate and Culture Improvements
- About This Chapter
- Activity: Measuring Their Impact
- Activity: I Remember When...
- Activity: Descriptive Footwear
- Activity: The Boot Award
- Activity: Jack-O-Lanterns
- Activity: Block of Support
- Activity: Artifact Introductions
- Activity: The Thank You Blitz
- Activity: Candle Ceremony
- Activity: Bag of Positive Phrases
- Activity: Spread the Word
- Activity: Reward With a Smile
- Activity: A Novel Staff
- Activity: Floating or Traveling Trophy
- Activity: Jelly Bean Questions
- Activity: Snowball Fight
- Summary
- 5. Staff Meeting Starters to Build Culture
- Activity: Good News
- Activity: Human Bingo
- Activity: Who's Connected
- Activity: My Piece of the Pie
- Activity: I'm a Card
- Summary
- 6. Activities to Couple With Tasks and Decisions
- About This Chapter
- Activity: Future Set
- Activity: Carouseling
- Strategy: Leafing Out With Goal Attainment
- Activity: Comparison Diagram
- Activity: Buy What Is Most Important
- Activity: It's a Star
- Activity: Criteria Rating
- Activity: Progressive Problem Solving
- Activity: From My Perspective
- Activity: Ripple Effects
- Activity: Small Group Ripple Effects
- Activity: Sticky Note Ripple Effects
- Activity: Ripple Effects Contest
- Activity: Carousel Ripple Effects
- Summary
- 7. Building a Sense of Team
- About This Chapter
- Interdependence, Community, and Their Impact on School Climate and Culture
- Activity: Toxic Waste Transfer
- Activity: Figure It Out
- Activity: Communication Problems
- Activity: All Tied Up
- Activity: Passing the Hoop
- Activity: Building a Poker Hand
- Activity: Hula Hoop Relays
- Activity: Circle of Support
- Activity: Rising Tower
- Activity: It Takes a Village
- Summary
- 8. We're Not Getting Along; Now What?
- About This Chapter
- The Nature of Conflict
- Activity: Pack Up Your Baggage
- Activity: Parking Lot Meeting
- Activity: Transfer the Anger
- Activity: Ashes to Ashes
- Activity: Go to Your Corners
- Activity: Corner on Perspectives
- Activity: Victory Laps
- Activity: Half-Full or Half-Empty
- Activity: Compare our Perspectives
- Activity: Peeling the Onion
- Mediating Between Conflicting Parties
- Productive Influence of Conflict on a Team
- Conflict and Chaos
- Summary
- 9. Celebrating Your Success
- About This Chapter
- Strategy: Planning the Celebration at the Start of the Initiative
- Activity: High Fives
- Activity: Banana Splits
- Activity: Gallery Walk
- Strategy: Trophy Case Displays
- Strategy: Get Out of Duty Cards
- Strategy: Success Thermometer
- Summary
- 10. Supporting Climate and Cultural Change as a Leader
- About This Chapter
- Step 1: Understand Your Strengths, Weaknesses, and Inhibitions
- Step 2: Build a Seedbed
- Step 3: Plant the Seeds
- Step 4: Nurture Them, Watch Them Grow
- Step 5: Pull the Weeds
- Step 6: Harvest the Crop
- Summary
- References
- Index