Culture In Middle School

Bolman and Deal (2013) states “An organization’s culture and is revealed and communicated through its symbols.” This is undoubtedly true in the educational setting. If you were to enter the middle school that I teach you would see wall covered in knight propaganda. Our school mascot is the black knights and the culture around the school is based on the medieval character. When I was hired the school was just opening for the first year. Before school had started the principal had gathered all the employees for a mandatory faculty meeting. At our initial faculty meeting we were able to formulate a mission statement and start to define our culture as a new school. The initiation ritual involved all the teachers working collaboratively and getting to know each other for the first time. Being a new school people were excited to be a part of a new culture. The teachers described the school as a “kingdom of learning”, which has become a motto of our school environment.
Our school represents a very positive impression in the district. There are nineteen other middle schools in the district and we try to excel to be the best. We are always striving to enhance our students learning, by incorporating new ideas. My school believes the success of students depends on the quality instruction of teachers.
Culture is both a product and a process (Bolman & Deal, 2013). As a product, it depends on wisdom from experience. As a process, it depends on newcomers to learn the old ways and become teachers themselves. My school has now been open three years and we have had people come and go. In my time there, the school has tried to build a culture of safe learning for all students. The success of students is the top priority and the new teacher’s must learn this quickly. It is important for schools to build a culture that is shaped by beliefs, values and customs. If a school is able to build this culture they will become