Embedded Files
I hesitate to establish universal norms for professional conduct because the work I do varies greatly from teacher to administrator to fellow coaches to students, from one-on-one coaching to team coaching to professional learning communities, from middle school to high school to district office. Just as instruction and classroom management strategies vary based on the dynamics of the group, so too do norms vary based on the professional situation.
I also believe that, in order to have people respect and abide by established norms, it is important for them to have a voice in creating and owning them. Once established, it is crucial to model and consistently abide by agreed upon norms to maximize the effectiveness of group dynamics.
Community Agreements
In the summer of 2022, both the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) and the School and the School Advisory Leadership Team (SALT) at ACMS met with Tammy Gibbons to establish a set of Community Agreements:
We commit to:
Making decisions that are student-centered versus adult-preferred while being mindful of capacity.
Ensuring there is a process for decision-making on all teams and clarifying the why.
Creating a safe space where we use multiple modes of communication so all people feed safe to share divergent viewpoints and vulnerabilities.
Focusing on solution-based thinking while interrupting any comments/language that suggested students and/or staff "can't".
Assuming positive intent, actively listening, and asking clarifying questions to seek understanding of perspective.
Being an inclusive environment that prioritizes improvement for all students and focuses on strengths and abilities, not deficits.
Reflecting critically on our instructional practices while refraining from defending a practice or tradition that is not supported by data/information.
Acknowledging that "fair" is not always equal.
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