School Culture- School Reform and Effective Leadership

There are some factors, one is school culture, that can either support or sabotage school reform efforts. Teachers, students and the school community both influence and are influenced by school culture. School culture refers to the belief systems, values and meanings embedded in the history of the school. I think of culture as the unspoken rules of the organization. School culture reflects local community culture and their beliefs and values also. When discussing school reform and improvement Fullen says that factors affecting implementation, "form a system of variables that interact to determine success or failure" (Fullen, pg. 67).

A positive school culture that includes specific norms can be a bridge to implementation of school reform efforts. In the Journal of Staff Development, the Insight article on Culture states, "(But) without a culture that supports and values (these) structural changes, (these) reforms can fail" (pg. 15). There are then, specific and particular norms that facilitate school reform efforts including a shared vision; collegiality; high expectations of staff and students; trust; support; recognition; a caring environment; celebration; and humor. (SELD-School Context, pg. 8)
Encouraging these norms is important in leading a change movement. These factors are also ones that I have heard over and over as part of not only school culture, but also effective leadership. They are repeated often in the readings, as well as, in the interview I did and in class discussions.

So as I also reflect on effective leadership, I conclude that successful school reform and effective leadership are closely related topics. I find that effective leadership is also multidimensional, including both management and leadership tasks, and these considerations alone make effective leadership a daunting task. Anyone who feels that this kind of leadership is a one-man show, is in for a lot of work and struggle. I have come to understand that an effective leader must have an effective group working with them. This group of teachers and other staff members must be motivated to share the vision. I see the picture as teachers in collaborative teams and learning communities.

This year we virtually implemented online teams and learning communities and recently have won the best practices award for the school. This was a group effort. It would not have happened if the teachers had not been willing and ready to step in and share the vision. Next year we are planning to add differentiation online as well as, the school within a school concept. Technology is part of this picture as we use technology on a daily basis for delivery. This does not mean that we have the latest and greatest technology. As we move forward we will be looking at ways to improve our technology use in the classroom, especially by students. None of this would be possible if we did not have a group of dedicated staff members with skills to lead their own teams and collaborate to innovate.

In the Secrets to Great Groups, Warren Bennis says, "Behind every Great Man ( I am adding Great Woman also) is a Great Group, an effective partnership" (Bennis, pg. 1). Therefore, effective leaders need to be team builders, adding yet another important dimension to leadership. In reflection of the studies we have done, I have also conlcuded that effective leaders are thoughtful about the work that they do. Effective leaders motiviate others to employ the same thoughtful processes as they move forward together to create learning environments.