3 Building Blocks for a Student Success Culture (Part 1 of 4)

Whether you are a first-year principal or a veteran administrator with many years under your belt, at the beginning of every school year you most likely experienced what I did: excitement and some level of anxiety. 

I was committed to improving student learning and results. But I wondered if our school could still provide the environment that our kids needed to thrive and succeed with ___________. You fill in the blanks with your “new” initiatives, changes, etc. For example, all the new teachers I hired or the change in the master schedule and number of classes.

Creating a positive school culture regardless of the circumstances, does not just happen. I learned from my principal and mentor, that intentional actions needed to be put in place to foster and shape a healthy climate. He shared, “It all starts with you, the school leader!”

What do you want for your school? What do you believe about students and student learning? What do you intentionally implement to: 

• Build relationships and connect with staff and students? 
• Inspire and support instruction that makes an impact on student results?
• Manage and organize your processes and systems that cultivate student and staff success?

I quickly learned that culture is everything! I would not be able to impact students’ results until I implemented strategies to build relationships, support instruction, and develop systems that yielded success.

I have been mentoring and advising school leaders for over 20 years, and have consistently seen these 3 leadership building blocks shape a positive Student Success Culture: 

• Relational Leadership
• Instructional Leadership 
• Organizational Leadership. 

This week will focus on Relational Leadership and its importance in creating a firm foundation for achieving student results. 

Have you ever felt like this principal: 

Student performance was at an all-time low. low. Staff Morale was also low as teachers shared their frustrations. They knew they had the worst academic achievement in the district and did not know what to do next. Discussions centered on management issues and/or complaints about students and blaming students for their lack of progress. Teachers wanted to make a difference, but they were burned out and giving up.

Even though this is extreme, this principal was faced with the task of turning around a toxic school culture, where staff did not work together to solve problems. She was committed to student success and began to implement focused strategies to change the school culture. As a result, she was able to put practices into place that impacted their achievement outcomes. 

Your school culture may not be this extreme but are there pieces of your culture that you would like to improve or change? 

If so, it all begins with relationships! 

The most effective principals who are committed to a student success culture focus on building community in a solution-oriented, no-blame, encouraging professional environment. They involve staff and students in a variety of activities that focus on relationship development and creating a safe and nurturing environment. They build trust which sets the stage for collaborative efforts to impact student success and achievement. 

You may be wondering, what are these successful leaders doing? They remember the ABCs for building relationships in a school environment. 

A: Actions Put Students First 

• Set expectations that all staff (from the teaching staff to the support staff) will be Intentionally prepared for your students. 
• Monitor and help students feel valued, safe, and supported.
• Ensure the school provides equitable access for all students to achieve success.
• Be visible, especially during the first few days of school, by greeting staff and students with a welcome and a smile. This sets the tone for the school year.
• Consistently speak with staff that students are the priority.  Evidence that students are important is observed at the school. 

Reflection: What actions are you intentionally implementing that gives evidence that you put students first at your school?  

B: Build and Rebuild Relationships with Staff.

• Build trust with the staff by asking about family updates, summer activities, or meaningful moments in their lives. 
• Go to teacher safety zones – Meeting teachers on their turf, in classrooms and staff rooms. 
• Listen, Listen, and Listen again – staff will feel valued when you are listening.
• Empower teachers with meaningful responsibilities.
• Cultivate a school climate that promotes collaboration, trust, and positive connections. 

Reflection: What actions are you intentionally implementing that gives evidence that you build relationships with staff at your school? 

C: Connect and Communicate with Students and Staff

• Create opportunities for connection throughout the year with meaningful conversations and fun activities.
• Praise and celebrate with recognition, celebrations, and appreciation for staff and students.
• Manage anxiety by demonstrating a sense of calm and support, especially when a new school year begins, or in times of high stress where everyone is anxious.
• Communicate changes and explain why the changes are important. Reassures staff and students that everything will be ok.
• Keep everyone informed about what is going on at the school. 
• Model behavior you want to see by showing students and staff how to be kind, caring, and valuing others. 

Reflection: What actions are you intentionally implementing that gives evidence that you are connecting and communicating to build relationships?

Terrence E. Deal, “Shaping School Culture: Pitfalls, Paradoxes, and Promises”

These ABC’s may confirm what you already know and are doing. If so, celebrate! 

If not, one thing I love about a new school year is that with each new year, comes an opportunity to start again. No matter what your culture or results looked like last year, this year can move you closer and/or achieve your student achievement goals by laying a strong foundation for a positive school success culture.

Motivating and leading a school to success is an effort that lasts throughout the year, and it is time well spent. Investing in people is always an important step forward. When people feel valued, they work harder, stay the course, and follow your lead. Taking time and investing in the lives of your students and staff is a key building block for success! Have fun and enjoy the process!

Over the next 3 weeks, I will be sharing additional strategies for Instructional Leadership and Organizational Leadership.   Come back next week for more on Instructional Leadership.