CRTL 4

This artifact was a team project that required collaboration to develop a comprehensive plan for creating a healthy positive school culture and environment. Our team reviewed articles related to creating a positive school culture and applied this information when setting goals for the plan. We created surveys that involved collecting data from all stakeholders, which is essential to any comprehensive plan. We identified our "why" as community, values, and engagement. An action plan was created to ensure the success of each goal, and steps for communicating plans and goals were outlined. 

This artifact addresses CRTL 4, culturally responsive teachers and leaders (who fundamentally believe all students are capable) center learning around students' experiences and position them as co-creators, with emphasis on prioritizing historically marginalized student. The plan developed by the team addresses the importance of gathering feedback from all stakeholders and the value in establishing a strong, cohesive, diverse community. It also focuses on teaching and modeling values in addition to engaging all students and adults in the learning process. 

• Leaders must integrate community, values, engagement, and character education into creating a strong positive school culture. Leaders must promote a caring community where all members are valued, respected, and feel a sense of belonging. School leaders foster the growth of teachers as leaders, empowering all to contribute to a positive school culture. Leaders must ensure that families and the community are actively partnering with the school to foster the virtuous growth of all students. Open communication is focused on. Students are engaged academically, socially, and emotionally in challenging opportunities for growth and success in all areas. Opportunities are designed to engage students in practicing leadership, demonstrating strong values and character. Parents are active in the school environment supporting all learning experiences. There is a shared understanding of what core values are focused on and a common understanding of the meaning of each value. Values are embedded in all areas. Students learn what virtues mean and demonstrate them in authentic ways. Character and values are directly taught, modeled, and developed throughout all learning environments within the school setting and beyond. Staff are mentoring and modeling character development and have the autonomy to integrate values into lessons and discussions. There is a cohesive plan and alignment with the district vision, school mission, learning standards, curriculum, and character education initiatives. While this is a lofty list of expectations, virtuous leaders continuously strive to incorporate all of these elements.