On to the reflection request...
When attempting to analyze the culture of leadership at AB Combs Mr. Covey used the five factors of behaviors, language, artifacts, traditions, and folklore. First of all, do you agree with using these factors to analyze a school’s culture? Secondly, what are some of our strengths and areas for growth using this analysis method?
In the section on language Mr. Covey writes of the positive message the students receive each day. Some of the quotes mentioned are “you are wonderful”, “we focus on what they can do not what they can’t” “we tell them we love them every day”, “I respect you”, etc. Mr. Covey himself says at the end of this chapter “the world needs more models and fewer critics; less focusing on what is wrong with today’s youth”. If we could focus on this aspect of culture how big of a difference would it make in our school?
The five factors --behaviors, language, artifacts, traditions & folklore--are a very good way to uncover a schools culture. I think if we were all very honest we can see how disjointed we've become. In the spirit of Dr. Covey 's comment "fewer critics", I will say that I think we need to make these changes. Our students (and us) are worth the discomfort that we may feel during the process of aligning our vision and our actions.
ReplyDeleteLet's start giving our students as say in what behaviors are acceptable, giving our student positive comments in hall & as the enter the room, let's set up some issue bins & but kids in charge of our restroom, make some lasting traditions and improve the ones we have so the run smoother, if we do these things then we can have some stories to pass on!
Again I was doing the typing from my phone...sorry for the typing mistakes.
DeleteI believe that the five factors are good indicators of a school's culture. The first one, behavior, has my mind in a whirlwind of various thoughts. First, they mention some of the things that one might hear in the hallway during any given day; "We focus on what they can do, not what they can't do;" We tell them we love them every day." I don't want to be negative, but the hallway is an area that needs a drastic makeover. I can't hear anything in the hall except screaming, and if I am being honest, I have to say that I avoid the hallway most of the time because of the chaos. I was shocked at the number of times teachers were literally plowed over in the hallway by students without so much as an "excuse me" or "I'm sorry" from the responsible student. I have heard stories from parents about their child being trampled in the hall. What?! This should not be happening. I am not sure what the answer is, but I think if we all put our heads together, we could determine a way to make our hallways a more peaceful place, so that we COULD compliment the students' behavior, rather than constantly trying to run interference and play referee. Also, I understand that this is not exactly what the book was referring to when it was touching on things heard in the hallway, but I also feel that in order for deeper change to take place, there will have to be some surface change in the process :) This concept applies to us, as teachers, as well. I am not always as positive as I should be each day. I aspire to be more like those teachers who (*almost, let's face it--we are human) *always have a smile on their face, and something positive to share. I know with my own children that when I am grumpy or wake up on the wrong side of the bed, their behavior tends to mirror my mood in many cases.
ReplyDeleteOn a positive note, I think that many teachers spend time the first week teaching and explaining procedures and expectations. However, like Mrs. Hughes pointed out, I like the idea of students being involved in mission statements and identifying positive and negative behaviors. This provides students with the opportunity to truly consider the benefits of exuding positive behavior.
I love this quote from Stephen Covey, "Culture is not what is proclaimed out of someone’s mouth. Rather, culture is how people actually behave and treat each other on a consistent day-in and day-out basis. Culture can be seen, felt, and heard." I believe this is where we need to make major changes. Our students need to learn how to treat people and the best way to do this is by our example. I agree with Mrs. Hughes no matter how uncomfortable we are with these changes we can't afford not to make them!
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Mrs. Hughes about letting the students have a say in the day to day running of the school. We have a student council, why not make it a true student government by adding homeroom representatives (not just the model students) and letting them meet once a month and discuss issues that are bothering them like the hallways and restrooms. I think we would be amazed at the solutions they come up with. I have also heard of schools that had a student committee that came up with punishments for their peers when they had broken one the rules set by the student government. Giving them some ownership in their school will help to create the school spirit that is lacking at our school.
I really agree with the quote about culture, too! We, the teachers, have to make these changes in order to effect change with the students. I am guilty of avoiding the halls during class changes so as not to see or hear the behavior Mrs. Elliott described, and I need to get out of my 'comfort zone' and step up and model more what I expect from my students. This everyday behavior that we don't want to see is unfortunately the only 'culture' alot of our students know.
DeleteI agree that having the students involved in procedures and definitions of consequences would go a long way in improving ownership in our school. I plan to do some of this with my classes this year, too. I like the idea of student representatives that meet monthly. That will enable students to give input into the process and actually feel that someone is listening to them. Having adults that listen and care is what Dr. Covey is promoting here and is something we can all do to help these students gain confidence in themselves.
I believe that these five factors are good indicators of culture in a school. I also believe that in our school there are some good points and not so good points in each area. In looking at the list and thinking of our school,I realize how we as a school have to become 'out-of-sight-out-of-mind we have become.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Cecil, I agree. The quote about culture is my favorite, I even underlined it in the book! I think it is very true. I also think that it is something we can't afford to ignore. Culture is the basis for everything that goes on. I think it is very important to understand that "culture is not just talking the talk, it is walking the walk." Beyond the fact that it has to begin with us.......it has to continue with us; not drop off after about 4-5 months. Students take notice when things continue and when they dissolve; and so do teachers.
Students, as well as teachers, feel an ownership when they are in the decision making process. The key to making all feel apart and not just 'something we HAVE to do', is in someway have all students and faculty feel as they have had a part in the decision making. It is like a sports team, when you make the team take care of the field, and surrounding areas they are more apt to make sure others take care of everything as well.
If we as a school focused on the 'models and fewer critics', I think that we would see a change in EVERYONE! I think it would be absolutely great! One thing that we need to keep in perspective is the statement on page 90 " One caution, however: it is important to understand that this did not all happen overnight.".
The previous comments pretty much say the same thing that I have to say. I like the idea of including students and providing them more ownership. I also believe that the 8th graders should have some special activities that are just for them since they are the oldest group. They should set the example for the younger ones. Why not let 8th graders apply and interview to be the school's Ambassadors? Starting traditions of our own also sounds like a great idea. One of the schools in our area has Safety Monitors that help monitor students entering the building in the morning and leaving in the afternoon. I know of another middle school that has a group of students in charge of maintaining the flower beds by pulling weeds and picking up trash. We might even have students that would want to help empty trashcans in the classrooms at the end of the day and/or the outside areas for car riders and bus riders. If the students felt more responsible for the school, they might help keep it cleaner and safer. A suggestion/idea box would be a great idea.
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