The Benefits of all Stakeholders of a Positive School Climate and Culture

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Mount Zion Elementary

Second Presenter's Institution

NA

Third Presenter's Institution

NA

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Location

Poster Session (Harborside)

Strand #1

Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Academic Achievement & School Leadership

Relevance

This presentation aligns with strand II Heart: Social & Emotional Skills. Participants will leave with practical applications to increase a positive school climate and improve school culture. They will learn how to make all students feel valued and accepted in their school and community.

Brief Program Description

The presentation will start off with a quick but in depth description of what school climate and culture is by definition and then compare and contrast the two. Throughout the presentation the audience which are educators and school leaders will learn about positive school climate and culture, while reflecting on their own current schools, they will have interactions and fun ice breakers that will enable them to create or enhance positive inviting schools that will make learning fun and embrace good character traits that students can learn and feel good about.

Summary

The presentation will explore the definitions of school climate and culture. Once those definitions are discussed and clear to the audience, we will explore the comparison and contrast of the two topics. Then we will discover what influences school climate and why climate and culture is important. We will see some examples of what a high quality school environment looks like. I will then incorporate a group activity about how to build relationships. Once we do that activity and reflect we will then look at ways to build a positive school culture. The audience will walk away with at least ten things that they can do to build a positive culture as soon as they return to their schools. We will also involve stakeholders to make sure that they know how to actually involve parents and community in the positive culture so that the school will be perceived in the community well. We will have time to reflect about what is at the core of your culture today. The audience will be equipped with how to build school pride, some things that they can take back to the building to start celebrating/recognizing the students, staff, and community. I will then introduce some reflective questions about who leads the charge on changing school culture and allow more reflection time lead by guiding questions. Finally, I will conclude with an overview of a plan to connect with students, staff, and community including parents to create a positive climate and thereby producing a positive climate.

Evidence

These practical solutions to school climate have been enlisted at local schools in a current metro district and have shown to increase test scores and teacher retention over the past several years that the school climate has been focused on. Evidence included CCRPI index scores going up. Test scores going up, and finally teachers returning year after year because they enjoy the family atmosphere that these practices have created in the school building.

Biographical Sketch

Wendell M. Span has spent his career working in schools. From teaching Social Studies and coaching girls and boys sports to currently working as an administrator on various levels of K-12 education. His love for education keeps him researching ways to embrace all learners so that no students will feel out of place and unwelcome in the learning environment.

Keyword Descriptors

Climate, Culture, Positive, Student Retention, Staff Retention, Teacher Retention

Presentation Year

2019

Start Date

3-5-2019 4:00 PM

End Date

3-5-2019 5:30 PM

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Mar 5th, 4:00 PM Mar 5th, 5:30 PM

The Benefits of all Stakeholders of a Positive School Climate and Culture

Poster Session (Harborside)

The presentation will start off with a quick but in depth description of what school climate and culture is by definition and then compare and contrast the two. Throughout the presentation the audience which are educators and school leaders will learn about positive school climate and culture, while reflecting on their own current schools, they will have interactions and fun ice breakers that will enable them to create or enhance positive inviting schools that will make learning fun and embrace good character traits that students can learn and feel good about.