Monday Moanin Thoughts #143 Improve Building Climate, Know Who Does What

Happy Final January 2015 Monday Moanin to all of you. Over the past few weeks I have met with several school leaders. Among the topics that are most common is building climate and culture. In the latest book, School Culture Rewired authors  Todd Whitaker and Stave Gruenert write; “If culture is a school’s personality, climate is its attitude. The biggest difference between the two is that attitude is far easier to change than a personality.” 

This week may be a great time to focus on climate. As leaders, reach out to members of your staff for things that are often overlooked and taken for granted. Listed below are questions that may assist you in recognizing actions that enhance your building climate.

Do you know your  early arrivers? Everyday your parking lot is filled with cars of  staff  that are in the building well before their official starting time. They are getting organized, meeting with students, or setting up labs. Reach out to them and validate their efforts.

Do you know your staff that are well planned and their lessons are learner centered and varied? Let them know you appreciate their abilities.

Do you know the staff members that meet with struggling colleagues on their own time to offer support and strategies to help them through challenging times? Consider using one legged conferences to let them know the importance of their actions.

Do you reach out to staff that present at district and building PD days? Consider writing a personal note to all of your staff members that have gone the extra mile being collaborative and taking a  professional risk to share with their colleagues.

Do you know which staff members write letters of recommendation for their students? Don’t assume that all staff embrace this task. There are many special people that always come through when asked. Find out who they are and let them know how wonderful they are for helping their students.

I could continue to list many other examples. The bottom line, if climate is attitude, improve it this week by reaching out and focus on the things that staff does to help build that positive climate. This week , go out and find those people and the things they do!

Have a great week and keep finding the good stuff.