Standard+III

Standard III: Cultural Leadership

I believe a cultural leader is one that understands how a school’s identity and place in the community directly contributes to it’s past, present and future success. Together with their staff and other valuable stakeholders, a cultural leader should prioritize the values and traditions resulting in positive outcomes for student achievement, community involvement and staff morale. In contrast, a cultural leader should identify those values, traditions and stereotypes having a negative impact on the school’s identity; and in response, a school leader should establish an environment that is able to redefine a school’s identity, by creating a culture directly linked to it’s core values and mission. This environment should encourage collaboration among school staff, parents, community leaders and students.

 *0=Not Demonstrated 1=Emerging 2=Developing 3=Proficient 4=Accomplished

**Related Coursework and Trainings **
 * Distinguished Leadership in Practice Assignment: "Cultural Leadership"
 * Facilitative Leadership Training
 * Schooling by Design Training
 * Visit to AB Combs Leadership Magnet School in Raleigh, NC
 * Visit to KIPP School: Gaston College Prep and KIPP Pride High
 * Social Justice Workshop
 * Crucial Conversations Training

**Related Readings ** //How to Win Friends and Influence People //, Carnegie //The Fifth Discipline//, Senge <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif;">//Reframing Organizations,// Bolman & Deal <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif;">//The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,// Covey


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">3a. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Focus on Collaborative Work Environment **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">: The school executive understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative environment can play in the school’s culture.


 * <span style="background-color: #404040; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5;">Select Experiences and Activities **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Developed and implemented peer-to-peer learning walk observations school-wide
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Participated in grade level weekly PLCs
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Participated in vertical monthly PLCs
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Mentored a co-teaching English-Language Arts inclusion team
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Acted as co-chair of the School Leadership Team, and created and facilitated monthly agendas

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">*insert video reflection/statement about participating in PLCs (add photos)
 * <span style="background-color: #404040; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">Select Artifacts **


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">3b. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">School Culture and Identity **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">: The school executive develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.


 * <span style="background-color: #404040; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5;">Select Experiences and Activities **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">Analyzed internship school vision and mission with mentor principal and select teachers as part of Distinguished Leaders in Practice
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">Worked with the School Improvement Team to revise finalize the 2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Acted as co-chair of the School Leadership Team, and created and facilitated monthly agendas
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Created a back-to-school digital story to highlight the school's mission for the 2012-2013 school year

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">media type="custom" key="22239664"
 * <span style="background-color: #404040; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">Select Artifacts **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Southern Nash Middle School's Mission Digital Story **


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">3c. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">Acknowledges Failures; Celebrates Accomplishment and Rewards **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The school executive acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school.


 * <span style="background-color: #404040; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">Select Experiences and Activities **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Participated in formal observations rounds using the NC Teacher Evaluation Standards to recognize teachers for excellence in instruction and provide constructive feedback.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Created monthly staff newsletters that highlight accomplished support staff and provided space for staff "shout outs"

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px;">
 * <span style="background-color: #404040; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">Select Artifacts **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Monthly Staff Newsletter **


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">3d. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">Efficacy and Empowerment **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The school executive develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff, which influences the school’s identity, culture and performance.


 * <span style="background-color: #404040; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5;">Select Experiences and Activities **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Analyzed internship school's Teacher Working Condition Survey for efficacy with mentor principal and select teachers as part of Distinguished Leaders in Practice
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">Developed and implemented peer-to-peer learning walk observations school-wide
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 1.5;">Using established criteria, participated in informal observations to identify effective teachers and empower staff to implement best teaching practices

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Quick Note After Classroom Observations:** I was able to assist the administrative team with classroom visits both informally and during the formal evaluation cycle. Through this practice, I have learned the importance of giving feedback to encourage and empower good teaching and learning. When conducting informal observations, I would either leave the teacher a brief note or email in which I acknowledged something he/she was doing well and should be encouraged to continue implementing. Through this process, I have learned the impact feedback can have on empowering a staff to try new things and to share with others.
 * <span style="background-color: #404040; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px;">Select Artifacts **