Standard 3: Cultural Leadership
Principals will understand and act on the understanding of the important role a school’s culture plays in contributing to the exemplary performance of the school. Principals must support and value the traditions, artifacts, symbols and positive values and norms of the school and community that result in a sense of identity and pride upon which to build a positive future. A principal must be able to “re-culture” the school if needed to align with school’s goals of improving student and adult learning and to infuse the work of the adults and students with passion, meaning and purpose. Cultural leadership implies understanding the school and the people in it each day, how they came to their current state, and how to connect with their traditions in order to move them forward to support the school’s efforts to achieve individual and collective goals.
Element 3a. Focus on Collaborative Work Environment:
The principal understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative work environment can play in the schools culture.
The principal understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative work environment can play in the schools culture.
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During my Principal Residency, I was responsible for communicating the agenda and time/location of our SIT meetings. SIT meetings are always open to the whole staff. The meetings are collaborative in nature as we discuss and take action on important topics like data, instruction and our NC STAR indicators.
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Element 3b. School Culture and Identity:
The principal develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.
The principal develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.
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Academic awards ceremonies are positive culture builders for students, staff and parents. Quarterly, we recognized academic achievement in a formal ceremony where students received awards. Parents were sent invitations to attend. This is an example of the program from our 6th Grade ceremony. I learned how impactful events like these are for our students and community. Note: Student names redacted.
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I learned a lot about the culture of my previous school by conducting a survey with staff. This taught me how important it is to keep a pulse on staff morale. Without a positive school culture, even the best strategies may fail to work. This exercise in analyzing school culture also taught me the importance of taking time to reflect as a leader.
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Element 3c. Acknowledges Failures; Celebrates Accomplishments and Rewards:
The principal acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.
The principal acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.
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Our band director rewarded his students by organizing a trip to Durham Performing Arts Center. I chaperoned the trip and created this video to celebrate the event. We tweeted the video out on social media to recognize our students. Parents and students loved seeing the video and the memories that were made. This experience highlighted the importance of celebrating student accomplishments throughout the school and community.
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Element 3d. Efficacy and Empowerment:
The principal develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school's identity, culture and performance.
The principal develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school's identity, culture and performance.
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I worked with the leadership team and Digital Literacy Coach to create a sign-up for student clubs. Club Day was a 45 minute block of time where students could pursue an interest of theirs with a staff member. Staff members volunteered to host different clubs based on student input. This day happened once a week and gave students a voice in their school day. The document to the left reflects the student choices from a Google form they filled out.
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