The work of shifting school culture can be overwhelming and often lonely because culture leaders are caught in a tension between where the school's culture currently lies and where it needs to be in order to serve students better. As a dedicated school culture leader in my building I have become comfortable with both feeling like I own the current school culture in both its good and its bad as well as the keeper of the vision for where it needs to be in order for the school to be a more dynamic place for all stakeholders. Below are four lessons I have learned as a first year Dean of Culture and shed light on the long and extensive process of shifting culture. 1. It is essential to have a shared mental model of "school culture". One of the first realizations I had as a Dean of Culture for two schools is that "culture" is such a significant bucket that encompasses the experience of of students, staff and stakeholders in a variety of ways. Culture is the summ...
Dad, dean and doctoral student trying to figure out what I believe about education by reading, watching and listening. These are some thoughts and resources that hopefully help others on their journey as an educator.