Is your school culture one that’s focused on teaching, or is it focused on learning?
Depends on what you believe, right? If you believe that learning is measured by test scores, then odds are you’re focused on helping teachers become technically better at delivering the outcomes spelled out in the curriculum. The focus is on getting better. But if you believe that learning is measured by a desire to learn more, to continue learning, then the focus is on creating the conditions for that to happen. Doing real work that matters. Starting with kids’ interests and passions. Seeing the adults in the room as learners as well. The aim is to do things differently.
Culture is palpable. Listen to kids and teachers talk about their work. Look into classrooms to see who is in charge. Walk down a hallway and tune in to what you feel. It’s usually not hard to tell which you’ve got.
What’s harder is deciding which you want.