Creating a Positive School Culture
How Principals and Teachers Can Solve Problems Together
- Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin - Bay Area Family Therapy & Training Associates (BAFTTA)
- Maureen Taylor - Elementary Teacher
In this book for headteachers and other school leaders, the authors explain how administrators, teachers, parents, and staff can all work together to create a positive school climate. Principals and teachers have very different perspectives of the school and different pressures that they are working under. But everyone is working toward the same goal-improved student achievement. By breaking down the misconceptions and misunderstandings that commonly crop up between teachers, principals, parents, volunteers, and other school staff, these different groups can work together to solve problems and build a culture of caring and respect.
This book is authored by a psychologist and a teacher and the ideas and strategies are based on 200+ interviews with principals and teachers. Some of the problems addressed include gossip, cliques, negativity, and competition - the authors provide innovative solutions for overcoming these energy and morale sapping problems. The authors also offer preventive strategies that help principals create a climate of trust and support and stop problems from developing in the first place.
This book is outstanding. It addresses a definite need in schools today and will be very effective in helping people understand some of the school climate-related issues. If educators understand problems and their causes and have potential methods of solving them, only good can come from it.
This book is a great resource for those interested in creating an enriching and inspiring school environment. At a time when so many of our schools are in crisis, it is so refreshing to read a book that demonstrates how teachers and administrators can turn a school into a safe and caring community. Beaudoin and Taylor consolidate the expertise of teachers and administrators who know how to realistically build nurturing, constructive, and positive relationships.
