Shaping School Culture : Pitfalls, Paradoxes, and Promises

by Deal, Terrence E.; Peterson, Kent D.

• ISBN13: 9780787996796
• ISBN10: 0787996793
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-03
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

The previous edition of this book was notable for explaining how the values and beliefs of educators have a critical impact on school functioning. In this long-awaited new edition, authors focus on new and inspiring case examples from schools across the country to show how culture-based practices are being used to bring purpose, passion, and meaning to the educational experience. They also show how leaders play important symbolic roles in schools and how culture-based strategies can help educators manage everyday challenges and even serve to heal and transform "toxic" school environments.

Author Biography

Terrence E. Deal has been a professor at Stanford, Harvard, and Vanderbilt Universities and is the former Irving R. Melbo Professor of Education at the Rossier School of the University of Southern California. He is coauthor of the best-sellers, Leading with Soul and Reframing Organizations.

Kent D. Peterson is a professor in the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Deal and Peterson are coauthors of The Leadership Paradox.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
The Authors	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
The Elements of Culture
Schools as Tribes: The Power to Transform	p. 19
Artifacts, Architecture, and Routines: Symbols of Culture	p. 32
History: The Value of Lore and Tradition	p. 44
Myth, Vision, and Values: Discovering a School's Highest Calling	p. 58
Stories and Tales: Passing Along the Vision	p. 71
Rituals: Embedding Purpose and Meaning	p. 88
Ceremonies and Traditions: Culture in Action	p. 100
Conveyors of Culture: Positive and Negative Transmitters	p. 116
The Symbolic Role of School Leaders
Weaving the Cultural Tapestry: Seven Schools	p. 129
Transforming Toxic Cultures: Renewal Strategies	p. 160
Building Trust: Connecting to Parents and Communities	p. 181
Strengthening Culture: Eight Essential Roles	p. 196
Living with Paradox: The Bifocal Principal	p. 217
Achieving Balance: Meeting Cultural and Structural Demands	p. 233
Conclusion: Opportunities for the Future	p. 248
References	p. 254
Index	p. 267
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