This is my principals first year at my school. She has been re-assigned from a high school of 400+. to an Alternative school of 36. It is taking a ittle time for her to learn and adjust to the culture of this learning environment. However, I think with all the change (we also moved to a new location this year)she is adapting. She has been adding too, and modifying parts of our school cultural.
I think that my principals THINK they are utilizing this force. In reality, they play a very small role in the creation of our culture. I would say that what the students hold important is what they deem important. For example, being good at sports is important to our students and passing classes with decent grades isn't. Our school culture says it's okay to just squeak by. I think if our principals decided to influence the culture, they could change that mindset. I also think that the culture among teachers says, just do the best you can with what you have. I think that's a sorry way to be thinking about our kids. It does not encourage us to reach for excellence, it gives us an excuse to simply do the bare minimum. Cultural force is SO important, but very underutilized. If this changed, I think that our school could see so many improvements we wouldn't even recognize it.
Our school's culture is changing. We have staff that do function as one in many ways (traditions, unstated understandings, habits, norms, etc.), but their are those who don't seem to share all the values. Some are new staff, some are old staff. Which tends to not make our school function as a family so well. I think our principal is trying to be the "high priest," and get us to function as one, with the same goals in mind. But, at this time it is not registering with all. We do have a bond with our students inspite of the differences among staff. Melissa Gillie
I think our principal displays and utilizes Cultural Force. She does act as our "high priest" by how she emphasizes the need for us to work as a team. She encourages the grade level team, but wants us to concentrate more on the school as a the entire team. We have some who like to stay in their own little worlds, but there are others who take her advice by communicating and seeing how other grades teach their core areas. For example, she wants all teachers, escpecially 3rd-7th to share ideas and strategies with each other.(test-taking skills/reviews) I am a parent at the school as well and I can see a big difference in our school since she came aboard. The community as a whole loves to go into our school and they all say how welcome they feel. She really wears her beliefs and values on her sleeve which in turn helps set the stage for the faculty to have the same ideas and mindset. Israel Easter
My principal at my home school does a great job acting as high priest. My first year teaching there the school was on its last thread on becoming accredited and was the only school in my county that wasnt already. Well we passed all criteria and sols and now we are. He spent so much time and effort convincing us to buy into researched based ideas and methods. It worked great, we all came together understood what needed to be done and got the mission accomplished. His values and experience that he used as his driving force to get the staff and the school working as one towards a common goal is what got us where we are today.
At my school, we have a theme each year to bring together faculty and students to address goals we would like to meet for the year. My principal encourages all of her teachers, Title I teachers, and special education teachers to collaborate and work together and share resources in order to meet the needs of all chilren. I believe our school culture is what it is because the principal works hard to promote unity among everyone.
In the middle school where I taught, I do believe my principal was ATTEMPTING to utilize culture as a force. The school was undergoing a large curriculum change and there was often a lot of grousing - which is ususally part of change. Her role as "high priestess" was probably not firmly established when I left, but I do believe she changed the school culture to one of teachers working together to improve student achievement, as opposed to individual silos of excellence (sometimes) or mediocrity (too often).
I believe that my principal does utilize the cultural force as described in Chapter 6. She has just completed her forth year at my school and seems to have a handle on the community and the school. I feel that she strives to build a culture that promotes success for not just the school, but for individuals – staff and students. By encouraging team efforts and cross-grade level communications regarding student achievements, I feel that she is striving to get all on the same page. In team meetings she promotes successes of groups and individuals and encourages others to get on board. Our school truly is the shining star in our community – especially since our $10 million dollar renovation and expansion four years ago. Our new facility and our new administrator came on board together, so she may have had some added success because of the beauty and the technology that our school now has to offer. Either way, I believe that she is serving as “high priest” in strengthening and articulating that which is important to our staff, our students, our families, and our community members. Movita Utt
I believe that my principal does utilize cultural force. My current administraiton utilizes cultural aspects of leadership. My administration does act as the "high priest". Ny current principal is from the area and knows the community and the social and political needs of the school. My school is over 100 years old, so they are a lot of students whose grandparents went to my school at some point. There is tradition when parents walk in, because they remember it when thhey were students. My current administration does a good job showing the school as it used to be and what is has become.
I feel like my current principal does an "OK" job with the cultural force. There is a culture within our school, however, new teachers are not introduced into it willingly, you have to work for it. There is also not a stong culture among the students either. Those students that play sports or have influential parents are introduced into the culture, otherwise those other students are left on the outside. -- Jennifer Campbell
I feel like my current prnicipal does a great job with cultural force. The students and teachers absolutely love him. He has been the principal at my school for a long time and he has gotten the community really involved with the school. The parents, students, and teachers know what to expect and are not afraid to go and talk to him if they need to. My prinicpal also does a really good job at keeping everyone involved in everything that is going on withing the school.
I believe that my principal does not demonstrate the cultural force as of yet. This is her 4th year at the school and she took over from a principal who had been there for many years. The two have very different leadership agendas and personalities. Because of this, I believe my principal has been focused on the fundamental forces (technical, human, and educational) in order to implement her way of leadership. I see in the beginnings of a cultural force taking shape, but it has yet to be completed. I see in the next year or two this cultural force becoming more important in our school as the fundamental forces are fully engaged.
At my school, my principal has just begun a new adventure as the head of the school. For the past 10 years he has been the assistant in the middle school and high school and has taken over as the principal at our high school. Over the years he has stepped on some toes and lost respect of some of the faculty. Our previous principal had served as the "highpriest", therefore our school was successful. Our school has been accredited for the past three years and it is looking like it will happen again. I feel to continue success again he is going to have to maintain the cultural force that has been going on for the past few years.
My Principal uses the Cultural Force as the most powerful force. Like many other universities, RU is embarking on a "branding" campaign to build a culture that bonds students, teachers, and others to believe in Radford as an instution. By creating school customs, traditions, norms, expectations, and common meaning the school is creating a Radford "brand."
I believe that my principal does utilize her schools as a cultural force. She does in her way act as the “high priest” for the school. I think she does a great job of defining what our school is all about and giving it a unique identity. I have noticed that staff that is new do get to know “how things are done.” I believe that over the last four years she has developed into this role. Of course the first couple years there were many more immediate issues than the culture of the school. But, as time has passed and she has slowly began to chance the face of the way the school is perceived and the way the school is operated. From my perspective there are many new traditions compared to the first couple years our administration begin at our school.
I do feel that the principal at our school assumes the role of "high priest" He leads us in a way that the school purpose is clear. He protects the school's identity by remaining true to the mission and making sure that all members of the faculty and staff understand how things are done. For example, our principal has just done PD on Covey's rules...Being Proactive, Beginning with the End in Mind, Think Win Win, and etc.
I feel that our principal at our school assumes the role of "high priest". She encourages us to be a team throughout the school. This includes faculty,staff,and students. Other schools visit our school for various reasons to see how we are doing or using certain things. She encourages us to have grade level meeting but she encourages us to help each other throughtout the school. Teamwork is very important to our success at our school. Jamie Cain
I feel that my princiapl is the "high priest" of our school. He is from the community and wants our school to be open and welcome to our community members. He takes great pride in our school having its own identity. He encourages his staff to work together. We do numerous activities where parents and the community come into our school and can witness our values and beliefs. Samantha Reed
I also believe that the principal in my school is the "high priest". She takes pride in attending all PTA meetings, and many, many activities ouside school hours. She knows the community and the community knows her. And the school being the size that it is,it helps encompass have the cultural force.
I do feel that the principal at our school assumes the role of "high priest" He encourages collaboration among teachers and keeps everyone on the same page. I think he uses the cultural force to the positive. Jacob Leonard
My principal does use the cultural force effectively in our school. We are an open school in an area of the county that is often forgotten about but we have a strong identify, shared history and common beliefs. We are bonded together in real ways that make a difference in the lives of all who enter our doors. Teachers and students feel like our school is a special place. Angie Cornett
Within the past several years our school was transformed from a k-7 institution to a 6-7th grade school. Use of the cultural force relies on “...traditions, and beliefs; explaining 'the way things operate around here.'” I do not believe everyone (leadership included) has had time to figure out “the way things operate around here” since the change. The “habits, norms, and expectations” are still under development, which means the cultural force is currently under utilized; regardless of leadership's desire to do so. Thanks, Marlin
I don't think my principal ultilizes the Cultural Force in Chapter 4. Our theoretical constructs mainly come from the teachers who've been there the longest. They try to articulate the school purpose and mission. Socializing new members to create a bond is what they do best. Our values and beliefs embedded in the school have not yet spread to all new employees. Rewards are seldom seen. This would definitely be an area for our school leader to focus and improve on. Melissa Gillie
My principal does use the cultural force. From the beginning of his term at my school he started discussing the notion of having a community day where the community would come together to discuss the history of my school and the school that closed down and "fed" into our school. He wanted to celebrate that history. He also used the "Seven Habits" program by Steven Covey to help keep the family-like atmosphere of our staff by having monthly trainings of the program. Shelly Goad
I think my princpal thinks he is in touch with the school culture. We have a very large school with staff who came from around the county. The origional staff members were resistant to the new teachers and any different ideas they held. i do not think our leader is aware of the extent of the problem. Because of the size of our school and the resistance to change, we do not have a strong Cultural Force at this time, I hope that will change over time. Misty Z
I feel that my principal utilizes the Cultural Force. He definately bonds and motivates the staff and recognizes accomplishments and successes. He additionally recognizes what makes us special both in the community and with in our walls. Rusty
I would say yes, that my principal does maintin the cultural force. Actually it seems that is the predominant force used. He great with managing students and teachers alike by introducing meaning to everyone's role in the school. The best thing about him that sticks out is that he always comes down to the cafeteria during their busiest lunch and helps out. By doing so, the cafeteria employees and the students see him not as the feared principal but as an everyday Joe that likes to help out anyway he can.
This is my principals first year at my school. She has been re-assigned from a high school of 400+. to an Alternative school of 36. It is taking a ittle time for her to learn and adjust to the culture of this learning environment. However, I think with all the change (we also moved to a new location this year)she is adapting. She has been adding too, and modifying parts of our school cultural.
ReplyDeleteI think that my principals THINK they are utilizing this force. In reality, they play a very small role in the creation of our culture. I would say that what the students hold important is what they deem important. For example, being good at sports is important to our students and passing classes with decent grades isn't. Our school culture says it's okay to just squeak by. I think if our principals decided to influence the culture, they could change that mindset. I also think that the culture among teachers says, just do the best you can with what you have. I think that's a sorry way to be thinking about our kids. It does not encourage us to reach for excellence, it gives us an excuse to simply do the bare minimum. Cultural force is SO important, but very underutilized. If this changed, I think that our school could see so many improvements we wouldn't even recognize it.
ReplyDeleteOur school's culture is changing. We have staff that do function as one in many ways (traditions, unstated understandings, habits, norms, etc.), but their are those who don't seem to share all the values. Some are new staff, some are old staff. Which tends to not make our school function as a family so well. I think our principal is trying to be the "high priest," and get us to function as one, with the same goals in mind. But, at this time it is not registering with all. We do have a bond with our students inspite of the differences among staff. Melissa Gillie
ReplyDeleteI think our principal displays and utilizes Cultural Force. She does act as our "high priest" by how she emphasizes the need for us to work as a team. She encourages the grade level team, but wants us to concentrate more on the school as a the entire team. We have some who like to stay in their own little worlds, but there are others who take her advice by communicating and seeing how other grades teach their core areas. For example, she wants all teachers, escpecially 3rd-7th to share ideas and strategies with each other.(test-taking skills/reviews) I am a parent at the school as well and I can see a big difference in our school since she came aboard. The community as a whole loves to go into our school and they all say how welcome they feel. She really wears her beliefs and values on her sleeve which in turn helps set the stage for the faculty to have the same ideas and mindset. Israel Easter
ReplyDeleteMy principal at my home school does a great job acting as high priest. My first year teaching there the school was on its last thread on becoming accredited and was the only school in my county that wasnt already. Well we passed all criteria and sols and now we are. He spent so much time and effort convincing us to buy into researched based ideas and methods. It worked great, we all came together understood what needed to be done and got the mission accomplished. His values and experience that he used as his driving force to get the staff and the school working as one towards a common goal is what got us where we are today.
ReplyDeletezack dotson carroll co-hort
At my school, we have a theme each year to bring together faculty and students to address goals we would like to meet for the year. My principal encourages all of her teachers, Title I teachers, and special education teachers to collaborate and work together and share resources in order to meet the needs of all chilren. I believe our school culture is what it is because the principal works hard to promote unity among everyone.
ReplyDeleteIn the middle school where I taught, I do believe my principal was ATTEMPTING to utilize culture as a force. The school was undergoing a large curriculum change and there was often a lot of grousing - which is ususally part of change. Her role as "high priestess" was probably not firmly established when I left, but I do believe she changed the school culture to one of teachers working together to improve student achievement, as opposed to individual silos of excellence (sometimes) or mediocrity (too often).
ReplyDeleteI believe that my principal does utilize the cultural force as described in Chapter 6. She has just completed her forth year at my school and seems to have a handle on the community and the school. I feel that she strives to build a culture that promotes success for not just the school, but for individuals – staff and students. By encouraging team efforts and cross-grade level communications regarding student achievements, I feel that she is striving to get all on the same page. In team meetings she promotes successes of groups and individuals and encourages others to get on board. Our school truly is the shining star in our community – especially since our $10 million dollar renovation and expansion four years ago. Our new facility and our new administrator came on board together, so she may have had some added success because of the beauty and the technology that our school now has to offer. Either way, I believe that she is serving as “high priest” in strengthening and articulating that which is important to our staff, our students, our families, and our community members. Movita Utt
ReplyDeleteI believe that my principal does utilize cultural force. My current administraiton utilizes cultural aspects of leadership. My administration does act as the "high priest". Ny current principal is from the area and knows the community and the social and political needs of the school. My school is over 100 years old, so they are a lot of students whose grandparents went to my school at some point. There is tradition when parents walk in, because they remember it when thhey were students. My current administration does a good job showing the school as it used to be and what is has become.
ReplyDeleteCory Hawks- Carroll County Cohort
I feel like my current principal does an "OK" job with the cultural force. There is a culture within our school, however, new teachers are not introduced into it willingly, you have to work for it. There is also not a stong culture among the students either. Those students that play sports or have influential parents are introduced into the culture, otherwise those other students are left on the outside.
ReplyDelete-- Jennifer Campbell
I feel like my current prnicipal does a great job with cultural force. The students and teachers absolutely love him. He has been the principal at my school for a long time and he has gotten the community really involved with the school. The parents, students, and teachers know what to expect and are not afraid to go and talk to him if they need to. My prinicpal also does a really good job at keeping everyone involved in everything that is going on withing the school.
ReplyDeleteI believe that my principal does not demonstrate the cultural force as of yet. This is her 4th year at the school and she took over from a principal who had been there for many years. The two have very different leadership agendas and personalities. Because of this, I believe my principal has been focused on the fundamental forces (technical, human, and educational) in order to implement her way of leadership. I see in the beginnings of a cultural force taking shape, but it has yet to be completed. I see in the next year or two this cultural force becoming more important in our school as the fundamental forces are fully engaged.
ReplyDeleteAt my school, my principal has just begun a new adventure as the head of the school. For the past 10 years he has been the assistant in the middle school and high school and has taken over as the principal at our high school. Over the years he has stepped on some toes and lost respect of some of the faculty. Our previous principal had served as the "highpriest", therefore our school was successful. Our school has been accredited for the past three years and it is looking like it will happen again. I feel to continue success again he is going to have to maintain the cultural force that has been going on for the past few years.
ReplyDeleteMy Principal uses the Cultural Force as the most powerful force. Like many other universities, RU is embarking on a "branding" campaign to build a culture that bonds students, teachers, and others to believe in Radford as an instution. By creating school customs, traditions, norms, expectations, and common meaning the school is creating a Radford "brand."
ReplyDeleteI believe that my principal does utilize her schools as a cultural force. She does in her way act as the “high priest” for the school. I think she does a great job of defining what our school is all about and giving it a unique identity. I have noticed that staff that is new do get to know “how things are done.” I believe that over the last four years she has developed into this role. Of course the first couple years there were many more immediate issues than the culture of the school. But, as time has passed and she has slowly began to chance the face of the way the school is perceived and the way the school is operated. From my perspective there are many new traditions compared to the first couple years our administration begin at our school.
ReplyDeleteJason Morris
I do feel that the principal at our school assumes the role of "high priest" He leads us in a way that the school purpose is clear. He protects the school's identity by remaining true to the mission and making sure that all members of the faculty and staff understand how things are done. For example, our principal has just done PD on Covey's rules...Being Proactive, Beginning with the End in Mind, Think Win Win, and etc.
ReplyDeleteI feel that our principal at our school assumes the role of "high priest". She encourages us to be a team throughout the school. This includes faculty,staff,and students. Other schools visit our school for various reasons to see how we are doing or using certain things. She encourages us to have grade level meeting but she encourages us to help each other throughtout the school. Teamwork is very important to our success at our school. Jamie Cain
ReplyDeleteI feel that my princiapl is the "high priest" of our school. He is from the community and wants our school to be open and welcome to our community members. He takes great pride in our school having its own identity. He encourages his staff to work together. We do numerous activities where parents and the community come into our school and can witness our values and beliefs.
ReplyDeleteSamantha Reed
I also believe that the principal in my school is the "high priest". She takes pride in attending all PTA meetings, and many, many activities ouside school hours. She knows the community and the community knows her. And the school being the size that it is,it helps encompass have the cultural force.
ReplyDeleteShane Reed CC
I do feel that the principal at our school assumes the role of "high priest" He encourages collaboration among teachers and keeps everyone on the same page. I think he uses the cultural force to the positive.
ReplyDeleteJacob Leonard
My principal does use the cultural force effectively in our school. We are an open school in an area of the county that is often forgotten about but we have a strong identify, shared history and common beliefs. We are bonded together in real ways that make a difference in the lives of all who enter our doors. Teachers and students feel like our school is a special place. Angie Cornett
ReplyDeleteWithin the past several years our school was transformed from a k-7 institution to a 6-7th grade school. Use of the cultural force relies on “...traditions, and beliefs; explaining 'the way things operate around here.'” I do not believe everyone (leadership included) has had time to figure out “the way things operate around here” since the change. The “habits, norms, and expectations” are still under development, which means the cultural force is currently under utilized; regardless of leadership's desire to do so. Thanks, Marlin
ReplyDeleteI don't think my principal ultilizes the Cultural Force in Chapter 4. Our theoretical constructs mainly come from the teachers who've been there the longest. They try to articulate the school purpose and mission. Socializing new members to create a bond is what they do best. Our values and beliefs embedded in the school have not yet spread to all new employees. Rewards are seldom seen. This would definitely be an area for our school leader to focus and improve on. Melissa Gillie
ReplyDeleteMy principal does use the cultural force. From the beginning of his term at my school he started discussing the notion of having a community day where the community would come together to discuss the history of my school and the school that closed down and "fed" into our school. He wanted to celebrate that history. He also used the "Seven Habits" program by Steven Covey to help keep the family-like atmosphere of our staff by having monthly trainings of the program.
ReplyDeleteShelly Goad
I think my princpal thinks he is in touch with the school culture. We have a very large school with staff who came from around the county. The origional staff members were resistant to the new teachers and any different ideas they held. i do not think our leader is aware of the extent of the problem. Because of the size of our school and the resistance to change, we do not have a strong Cultural Force at this time, I hope that will change over time. Misty Z
ReplyDeleteI feel that my principal utilizes the Cultural Force. He definately bonds and motivates the staff and recognizes accomplishments and successes. He additionally recognizes what makes us special both in the community and with in our walls.
ReplyDeleteRusty
I would say yes, that my principal does maintin the cultural force. Actually it seems that is the predominant force used. He great with managing students and teachers alike by introducing meaning to everyone's role in the school. The best thing about him that sticks out is that he always comes down to the cafeteria during their busiest lunch and helps out. By doing so, the cafeteria employees and the students see him not as the feared principal but as an everyday Joe that likes to help out anyway he can.
ReplyDelete