BY HERMAN M. LAGON
ONE KEY task for school leaders is to understand the existing culture. This means recognizing the deeper meanings and historical context behind current behaviors and attitudes. Leaders must then highlight and reinforce core values that support students’ best interests and create a professional environment centered on student success. This process involves addressing the negative aspects of the culture and celebrating the positive ones.
Successful schools often use rituals and traditions to strengthen their culture. Celebrations of student achievements, recognition of innovative teaching, and meaningful parental involvement all contribute to a positive environment.
Take Ganado Primary School in Arizona, for example. Regular meetings on instructional techniques and celebrations of student accomplishments have transformed its culture, supporting both learning and professional development.
Influential school leaders do not just talk about core values—they live them. They recognize and honor those who contribute to the school’s mission, observe rituals that uphold the school’s ethos, and celebrate the accomplishments of the entire community. Doing this creates a space where students and staff feel valued and motivated to excel.
Beyond fostering a positive culture, school leaders must also manage change effectively. This requires leaders to be visionary, proactive, and attuned to the school community’s needs. Those who can manage the complexities of change while staying focused on core values and objectives are more likely to foster a lasting, positive culture.
There are many facets to school leaders’ role in forming and preserving the school’s culture. They must act as historians, understanding the school’s history; as anthropologists, identifying the values and beliefs that shape behaviors; as psychologists, providing emotional support and understanding their mental well-being; as confidants, building strong, trusting relationships that foster a positive and inclusive environment; and as visionaries, guiding the school toward a more inspiring, systematic, and shared future.
To make a healthy school culture, they need to model desired behaviors, articulate a clear and compelling vision, and create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration.
It is essential to have strong leadership to construct and maintain a culture of collaboration inside the school. Leaders are pivotal in shaping the environment, establishing standards, and demonstrating behaviors that influence the entire community. By fostering a positive culture, they create an atmosphere where students and faculty can thrive, enhancing academic performance and a more cohesive and supportive school climate.
Effective leadership can transform school culture, promoting collaboration and support, thereby enriching the educational experience for all members of the community. This is clearly shown by my past school experience, demonstrating that this transformation, given the right intentions and actions, is indeed possible.
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Doc H fondly describes himself as a ‘student of and for life’ who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with./PN
