Creating a Positive School Culture : How Principals and Teachers Can Solve Problems Together

by Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin

• ISBN13: 9781412904919
• ISBN10: 1412904919
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-07-08
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

""""This book is outstanding. It addresses a definite need in schools today and will be very effective in helping people understand some of the school climate-related issues. If educators understand problems and their causes and have potential methods of solving them, only good can come from it.""Charles F. Adamchick, Jr., Teacher/Educational ConsultantBlairsville High School and Learning Sciences International Blairsville, PA"This book is a great resource for those interested in creating an enriching and inspiring school environment. At a time when so many of our schools are in crisis, it is so refreshing to read a book that demonstrates how teachers and administrators can turn a school into a safe and caring community. Beaudoin and Taylor consolidate the expertise of teachers and administrators who know how to realistically build nurturing, constructive, and positive relationships."Gerald Monk, Professor, Department of Counseling and School PsychologySan Diego State University Create and cultivate a supportive, respectful, and positive school climate! Principals and teachers have very different perspectives, pressures, and struggles. As a result, problems of negativity, isolation, or censure often develop among staff members. This may cause principals and teachers to spend a tremendous amount of energy addressing these issues instead of focusing on their primary goal-improved student achievement." ""Creating a Positive School Culture" provides strategies for understanding and solving staff problems, preventing conflicts, and enriching school climates. By combining therapeutic knowledge with day-to-day educational experience, the authorsoffer innovative solutions for overcoming many energy--and morale--sapping problems, including gossip, cliques, negativity, and competition. To help engage and inspire readers, this volume includes: Teacher and principal int

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

1. Understanding the Different Experiences of Teachers and Principals

2. Creating the Environment for Change

3. Typical School Culture Problems and Their Effects

4. When Serious Problems Divide the Staff

5. Changing Staff Habits Without Conflicts

6. Preventing Problems and Creating a Climate of Support

7. Practices to Support a Caring School Culture

8. Working With Parents and Volunteers

Conclusion

Resource A: Glossary

Resource B: Staff Development Activity: Merging Stories Exercise

Resource C: Summary of School Climate Problems and Practices That Prevent Them

Resource D: Job Satisfaction Survey

Resource E: Teacher Survey

Resource F: Principal Interview Protocol

References

Index