An effective leader creates a culture that fosters mutual accountability; it becomes the responsibility of all staff to make sure that all students are successful. An effective leader advocates, nurtures, and sustains a school culture and instructional program that is welcoming, that is built on mutual trust, and that promotes student learning and staff professional growth.
Key Questions for Reflection
- What are you doing to build a shared mission and vision with your school community?
- How are you creating leadership opportunities that foster shared ownership?
- What systems support collaboration among staff and students in your school?
- How are you celebrating and affirming the diverse identities within your community?
- In what ways do your actions reflect the values you expect of others?
Quick Wins
- Start meetings with a 30-second “mission/vision in action” reflection from a staff member or student.
- Create “Culture Check” walk-throughs where staff give feedback on bulletin boards, signage, and shared spaces.
- Establish rotating staff leadership roles in PD or school-wide initiatives.
- Host a student panel or listening circle to gather feedback on belonging and engagement.
- Recognize staff and students monthly who exemplify your mission and values.
AI Prompts
Message Drafts
Help me draft a message for staff that reinforces our school’s mission of inclusivity and collaboration.
Reflection
Give me three reflective questions I can ask at our next leadership team meeting about our school culture.
Templates
Help me create a staff shoutout template that highlights contributions aligned with our core values.
Building
What are five ways I can build a positive staff culture during a tough month like November?
Tech Tips
- Create a Google Form to collect anonymous student input on school culture, then ask AI to summarize common themes.
- Use Canva or Adobe Express + AI copy tools to co-create a visual version of your school’s mission/vision with student input.
- Translate communication using AI tools to ensure multilingual access for families and staff.
- AI-powered survey analysis (e.g., from Google Forms or Poll Everywhere): Use ChatGPT to summarize open-ended responses from a culture feedback survey.
- Create a collaborative Padlet or Jamboard titled “What Our Culture Looks Like in Action.” Staff can post pictures, quotes, or examples from classrooms, hallways, or events.
Examples of Proficient Behaviors
A proficient leader creates a strong, inclusive school culture by modeling core values, building trust, and distributing leadership.
In practice, they:
- Start meetings by linking work to the mission and vision.
- Delegate leadership roles to staff and students regularly.
- Use surveys and walk-throughs to gather feedback on culture.
- Recognize staff and students who exemplify shared values.
- Host listening sessions to elevate student and staff voice.
- Invite students to co-lead events or school initiatives.
Possible Evidence to Collect
To demonstrate growth in this area, consider gathering:
- Team norms or collaboration protocols developed by staff.
- Results or summaries from staff or student culture surveys.
- Notes or artifacts from leadership team meetings or roles.
- Photos, quotes, or reflections that show shared voice in action.
- Staff communications or agendas referencing mission/vision.
- Examples of identity-affirming practices or inclusive displays.
- Documentation of how leadership roles are distributed or rotated.
More Learning
Learning Lab
The AWSP Learning Lab is our online learning platform with a variety of courses and events, including live and asynchronous options. Check out what we have to support your learning and connect you with your peers.
Reading List
- Culturally Responsive School Leadership – Muhammad Khalifa
Guides school leaders in disrupting systemic inequities and building identity-safe, inclusive schools where all students thrive. - The Art of Gathering – Priya Parker
A human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play. - The Art of Coaching – Elena Aguilar
Provides powerful tools for supporting teacher growth, fostering trust, and building instructional leadership capacity. - Beyond the Bake Sale – Anne T. Henderson, Karen L. Mapp, Vivian R. Johnson & Don Davies
Reframes family engagement as a true partnership, with practical approaches to connect with families from all backgrounds. - Belonging through a Culture of Dignity – Floyd Cobb & John Krownapple
Reveals how belonging and dignity unlock real equity. - We Got This: Equity, Access, and the Quest to Be Who Our Students Need Us to Be – Cornelius Minor
Identifies tools, attributes, and strategies that can augment our listening, allowing us to make powerful moves toward equity.
