For example, faculty meetings became a hotbed of professional dialogue and discussion of practice and published research. Norms of collegiality, improvement, and connection reinforce and symbolize what the school is about. In many other schools, local heroes and heroines, exemplars of core values, provide models of what everyone should be striving for. These deeply committed staff come in early, are always willing to meet with students, and are constantly upgrading their skills. The Role of School Leaders School leaders from every level are key to shaping school culture.
Principals communicate core values in their everyday work.
Teachers reinforce values in their actions and words. Parents bolster spirit when they visit school, participate in governance, and celebrate success. In the strongest schools, leadership comes from many sources. School leaders do several important things when sculpting culture. Leaders should know the deeper meanings embedded in the school before trying to reshape it.