Greetings,
I just listened to a podcast given by Baruti Kafele during the NJPAECET2 Teachercast Broadcast and was floored by something he said. Mr. Kafele highlighted the idea of closing the attitude gap in our schools and I could agree more with Mr. Kafele. Like many schools, our school is fixated on closing the achievement gap. I refuse to make this about color or income concerning attitude as we do achievement. I believe if we put as much emphasis on the attitudes of our students as we do achievement we would see an improvement in all areas. However, Mr. Kafele also likened the attitudes of students to the overall school culture that exist in the school itself. I am in a school where student attitudes are not valued and it shows in our school culture. Students are routinely told "no" and have become so used to being rejected they have stopped asking for what I consider normal student activities. The end result of this is the overall moral in the building has suffered because student excitement to be here is at an all time low. If students are not excited to be in school, there is no possible way many of these students will be excited to learn. School culture is so important for everyone in the building. Conversely as a classroom teacher, I am not assessed using school culture as a standard the way our leaders are but even this leadership assessment standard seems to go unnoticed in our building.
I just listened to a podcast given by Baruti Kafele during the NJPAECET2 Teachercast Broadcast and was floored by something he said. Mr. Kafele highlighted the idea of closing the attitude gap in our schools and I could agree more with Mr. Kafele. Like many schools, our school is fixated on closing the achievement gap. I refuse to make this about color or income concerning attitude as we do achievement. I believe if we put as much emphasis on the attitudes of our students as we do achievement we would see an improvement in all areas. However, Mr. Kafele also likened the attitudes of students to the overall school culture that exist in the school itself. I am in a school where student attitudes are not valued and it shows in our school culture. Students are routinely told "no" and have become so used to being rejected they have stopped asking for what I consider normal student activities. The end result of this is the overall moral in the building has suffered because student excitement to be here is at an all time low. If students are not excited to be in school, there is no possible way many of these students will be excited to learn. School culture is so important for everyone in the building. Conversely as a classroom teacher, I am not assessed using school culture as a standard the way our leaders are but even this leadership assessment standard seems to go unnoticed in our building.
Chris YES YES YES. Attitude gap. I LOVE IT! I never thought to include attitude gap as a goal for a school. I work on this individually but not collectively with my peers. I try to "check" myself when it comes to "unlovable" students but I'm quickly reminded there were/are times when I'm not lovable.
ReplyDeleteAttitude is everything! Not only do the attitude of our students have to change, but the attitude of our teachers and the attitude of our leaders. We have to have a growth mindset set so that we can improve.
ReplyDeleteThe timing of this post is apropos. Attitude is everything. School culture can be affected and infected if we continue to tell both teachers and students no. School spirit does ultimately shape the school's culture. Students and teachers should feel school pride. Allowing teachers and students to be a part of the decision-making processes will contribute to the closing of the achievement gap.
ReplyDeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I feel sadness for students who do not feel valued. How can they possibly believe in themselves if the adults who "care" for them all day do not believe in them? I'm not saying your student morale is that bad, but I think that the PBIS project (which we are getting ready to start) is perhaps an answer to the attitude gap. Students are recognized for their positive behaviors and work in school. They feel respected and valued as learners. If negativity rules the school, I don't see how success can overrule! I love that you're excited about looking at the attitude gap. I know that it will have to start with the adults in the building before it can reach the students. But, while that seems like a lofty goal, perhaps if the attitudes of the adults change, and are very visible and obvious to the students, then the students will want to follow suit and become more positive.
Chris, this is great. When I am called for students regarding "attitude" we talk a lot about how our attitude makes a huge difference in the type of day we are going to have. At our school we are trying to build a culture where everyone is valued including our students. We have our well dressed Wednesdays where boys wear their slacks, shirts, and ties and our girls wear dresses. The students walk with pride and are excited about their demeanor! we often remind them that attitude is everything! As an administration staff we try to model that positive attitude with our students and teachers!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the previous posts that "Attitude is everything" but also that "Attitude determines altitude." How high you can soar is solely dependent on your attitude. One of my favorite quotes to teach my students every year is by Viktor E. Frankl, a holocaust survivor. Frankl said, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." As a teacher-leader, I translate that as, regardless of what my administrators and colleagues say and/or do, I have the power to lead by example and influence others' attitudes. I think that you could ultimately change your school culture, but I do realize the challenge you face by not having that kind of attitude already established and modeled from the top. Good luck!
ReplyDelete