You have the opportunity to observe more closely the values and beliefs stated and unstated in your school that contribute to your school culture: mission statements, language used by teachers, staff and students, expectations of students, etc. Include this school cultural observation as an introduction to your community observation presentation. For your presentation try using tother presentation app called emaze, prezi.)
School’s Mission/Philosophy – values, beliefs, language, unique characteristics spoken-unspoken
How do I fit into the school culture?
§ Culture involves shared beliefs, values, customs and behaviors. “A school’s culture includes the obvious elements of curriculum and policies, as well as the social interactions that occur within those structures and give a school its look and feel. This look might lend itself to school labels such as “friendly,” “elite,” “competitive,” “inclusive,” and so on. Some have noted that school culture is the unwritten rules about interactions, problem solving, and decision making that give schools a “unique character,” and almost everything in a school can have a set of unwritten rules about how to behave. These unwritten rules often reflect what the school and staff members care about (think mission and/or philosophy), what they are willing to spend time doing (what goes on in the classroom and parent involvement), how and what they celebrate (career accomplishments, birthdays, weddings, births, etc.), and what they talk about (the all-important school newsletter and teacher’s lounge conversations).
§ During your first few weeks as a guest in your school, observe the School’s Mission/Philosophy – values, beliefs, language, unique characteristics spoken-unspoken that reflected in your school. As an outsider, you can be more aware of what your school values by looking at the mission statements and other language visible on the walls throughout the school; listening to key phrases shared by principal, staff and faculty; recognizing spoken and unspoken beliefs and values that permeate the school culture. Also consider how do I fit into the school culture?