Building an Intentional School Culture

Charles F. Elbot was born in Europe and lived his first twenty years as part of three cultures-French, German and American. After graduating from Wesleyan University, he pursued his dream to see the world. With his backpack, sleeping bag and only a few hundred dollars, he traveled west, crossing Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe over a three year period. For funds, he worked on ships out of Bali and Singapore. These were three extraordinary years of being exposed to a rich array of the world's cultures. Upon returning to the United States, he began teaching and then helped to found an alternative high school, September School, in Boulder, Colorado. After several years of teaching and serving as a principal, he attended Harvard University, earning his masters' degree in moral development and educational administration. This was followed by serving as a principal in public and independent schools over the next twenty-one years. Charles served as principal of Slavens School, a K-8 Denver public school, which in 2001 was honored as one of eight schools in the nation as a National School of Character. This school was also recognized for its extraordinary student academic achievement. These accomplishments attracted educators from around the country who spent days observing "how" things were done at the school. The following year Charles founded the Office of Character and School Culture and began to take these ideas to other schools in Denver and around the country. In 2003, the New Zealand government invited Charles to share these approaches with educators in New Zealand. Since then the Office of Character and School Culture has continued to develop the work of harnessing a school's culture to build excellence in academics and character, culminating in this book. Charles is married to Barbara Robertson Elbot and they have two children, Jason and David. After graduating from Emory University, David Fulton taught high school and middle school for four years in Denver, Colorado. While in graduate school, he worked for the State Department of Education in Wisconsin, was a researcher for a National Science Foundation-funded school reform project, and supervised preservice social studies teachers. After completing his MA and PhD from University of Wisconsin-Madison in foundations of education, he lived in Northern Ireland as part of the International Forgiveness Institute. In 2003, he joined the Denver Public Schools Office of Character and School Culture. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver-School of Education and has taught courses at the University of Colorado-Boulder and at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Building an Intentional School Culture: Excellence in Academics and Character The Importance of School Culture Laneer Middle School: The Shaping of School Culture Resource 2. The School Touchstone Resources 3. The Four Mind-Set Model Teachers and the Four Mind-Set Model Students and the Four Mind-Set Model Parents and the Four Mind-Set Model Leadership and the Four Mind-Set Model How to Use the Four Mind-Set Model Resources 4. Introduction to the Eight Gateways Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Relationships Problem Solving Expectations, Trust, and Accountability Voice Physical Environment Markers, Rituals, and Transitions Leadership Resources 5. Applying the Four Tools Timeline: The First 36 Weeks (Year 1) Timeline: The Second 36 Weeks (Year 2) Pulling It All Together Closing References Index

"Many school leaders realize that a school's culture impacts everything, including the quality of relationships, staff morale, and student achievement, and most would like to know how to go about changing their school's culture in deep and lasting ways. The authors offer a powerful set of strategies for getting staff to think and work together to make their school the very best it can be. They have packed a wealth of practical wisdom into this small volume." -- Tom Lickona, Director "Theoretically engaging, yet with clear and tested practical strategies for creating a positive school culture." -- Alan L. Lockwood, Professor "The authors bring a wealth of wisdom and practical experience to a fundamental and complex challenge for schools, namely, how to understand and shepherd a positive school culture. They offer impressive creativity and true practical tools and guidance in a concise form that can be invaluable to educators." -- Marvin Berkowitz, Professor of Character Education "It is clear that a school's culture has an enormous impact on how well students learn and on the values they develop. This book will help principals and staff shape the kind of school culture that students deserve." -- Michael F. Bennet, Superintendent "Charles Elbot and David Fulton get it! They get how dominant a force a school's culture is in assisting-or thwarting-the development of learning and character. They get how extraordinarily difficult it is to change a culture. But, unlike most of us, they also get how possible it is to build a desirable school culture. I see this tidy little volume as the authors' first step in sharing their inventive 'lesson plans' from their successful work as builders of school culture. When we take these lessons learned to heart, we too will get it!" -- Roland Barth, Education Consultant "Charles Elbot and David Fulton have given educators a great gift. Here is a book that is strong in both theory and practical application that can help thoughtful educators create a school culture that is energizing and life giving for all concerned." -- Parker J. Palmer, Author "From explorations of decision-making processes to school character, chapters provide plenty of practical, applied ideas especially useful for college-level education collections." -- The Bookwatch, February 2008