Search Institute Trainer Don McIntyre offers advice on Building a Socially Responsible School . . . Getting Started
A socially responsible school reflects a climate and culture that supports both academic achievement and personal growth. All of us who work in schools are constantly looking for ways to create and/or extend the positive nature of our school culture.
How do we create a school that is safe and supportive for all members of the school community?
In my work with educators and students, I have observed a close connection between asset development and Positive Behavior Support (PBS). Positive Behavior Support is a broad range of systemic and individual strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes. High schools are structured to operate within compartments. We organize by subject matter and often operate in isolation from others who work with the same students we do. In order to positively impact the culture of a high school you must work to create a structure that transcends this type of structure. In “Breaking Ranks, A Field Guide for Leading Change” (NASSP, 2009) it is suggested that there should be an effort to personalize the school environment.
How can we nurture a culture that is supportive for students, parents, and staff?
I think we have reached a tipping point in education that recognizes higher levels of achievement are only available when the culture of the school creates in students and staff a motivation to strive for higher levels of achievement. Building relational trust amongst educational partners is paramount.
Relationships are the key to creating this kind of a sustainable culture in schools. This is the rich work that is being done in schools that focus on engaging students. This is further enhanced by the training available to schools in a training module I’ve recently developed for Search Institute, which will be available this fall.
For additional information on this workshop, contact a Training Specialist at 800-294-4322).
There is often resistance to pursuing this type of work because of perceived lack of readily available and relevant data sources to track and support future growth. I believe the sources are there, we just have to tap into them. Michael Fullan states that, “if you want to change the culture, you have to change the structure.” Perhaps a good place to begin is by bringing together a group of like-minded students and teachers who believe in the value of a positive school culture – a “School Culture Team.” Their passion is a required part of any change process. Find out what your stakeholders have to say about your school. Take that information and utilize it to formulate a plan to improve their experiences at school. Some schools make use of advisory models to provide a structured time and place to allow dialogue between teachers and students. These meetings focus on relationship building and foster the need for each student to have an advocate at school. Students need more adult role models active in their lives. Relationships, both past and present, provide the richness in our experience as educators. “I may not remember what you taught me, but I will never forget how you made me feel.”
Read more about Don McIntyre and the trainings he offers.
