A Culture of Learning to Support Reform

From my perspective, school culture is the most important helper or hindrance to school reform and change initiatives. It is dictated by perspectives of students, parents, community members, and teachers. A sense of purpose can be created through many aspects of a school – the classroom, PLC (Professional Learning Community) meetings, staff meetings, PTA meetings, at after-school activities, in the parking lot, and more. The Peterson reading reminds us that every member of the school is a learner, and modeling that behavior for all stakeholders is important to establishing a positive school culture. Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) models require buy-in and trust in order to succeed, and a positive school culture can assist with the creation of these necessary factors.

When students, teachers, and administrators share common beliefs and values, and have a sense of purpose and vision about the school’s mission, positive relationships abound. Productivity increases, and the school community is more willing to tackle all types of problems through first-order AND second-order change initiatives. The CSR will have the support of the PLC at the school, and administrators will have an easier time monitoring and evaluating its effectiveness as teachers, students, and parents will be more willing to provide their “two cents.”

I have realized that I am very fortunate to work where I do when it comes to school culture. We have established a very positive culture of shared inquiry and dialogue, and our PLC meetings have produced interdisciplinary products which have extended the scope of our students to include the “bigger picture” of their work in school. We embrace diversity and special needs learners, and do our best to inspire students to build their own experiences and perspectives out of our curriculum and after-school activities. I am in some ways at the epicenter of school reform in the greater context of the American educational dilemma through the lens of a small (about 360 students) liberal arts charter school in the heart of New Mexico. We are merging the intellectual freedom components of a liberal arts education with the 21st century demands of technology integration and continually changing expectations of our students, and, when coupled with a more manageable student:teacher ratio and advisory groups, it’s created a tremendously positive school culture and effective learning environment.