Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
EdD Program for Educational Leaders
Advisor
Paul Terry
Committee Member
Ron Newell
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
administrator leadership, collaborative planning, collaboration, collegial relations, collegiality, communication, cooperative planning, elementary schools, educational administration, expectations, inspirational storytelling, Leadership Team, organizational culture, positive school culture, professional growth, Professional Growth Teams, school administrator, school culture, socialization, staff development, teacher commitment, team building, teachers, work in progress
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to study the role of the school administrator in building a positive school culture in a new setting. As an administrator in a newly established elementary school, the writer found that, with staff coming from various prior work settings, set rituals and culture were nonexistent. The applied dissertation was designed to provide a vehicle for establishing a positive school culture in this setting.
The writer provided opportunities for staff to plan collaboratively and to develop collegial relations over a 9-month period of time. Staff development that focused on team building and collaboration was planned and implemented. Professional Growth Teams and a Leadership Team were established. Opportunities for socialization were planned and carried out. In addition, the writer incorporated behaviors associated with building a positive culture, including inspirational storytelling and communication of clear expectations.
An analysis of the data revealed that a positive school culture was emerging at the conclusion of the study. Teachers and staff planned collaboratively and developed collegiality. The results indicated that this was a work in progress and that, at the conclusion of the study, there were areas for improvement in school culture. Teachers expressed their support of the process that had begun and their commitment to continuing this process.