ERIC Number: EJ806563
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 19
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1555-4589
E Pluribus Unum: Culture, Subcultures, and Teams at Alpha Middle School
Barbour, JoAnn Danelo
Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership, v8 n2 p34-48 2005
Attempting to build teams within existing cultures often leads to unintended consequences for school administrators. A subculture can become weaker or stronger than the particular department or grade level within which it is housed. Perhaps a team stays so weak that it never becomes as strong or effective as the department; perhaps a grade-level team is so creative and cohesive that it builds a subculture stronger than other grade-level teams. In this case, a principal is faced with the complex issues of understanding grade-level subcultures while making decisions that will grow effective campus teams and, ultimately, building a school culture, creating "one from the many," as the title of the case suggests. This case is appropriate for courses such as organizational culture, instructional leadership, staff development, teambuilding, or school change. Because of its rich context and multilayered nature, the case may be used most appropriately during multiple class meetings. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Subcultures, School Culture, Educational Change, Instructional Leadership, Middle Schools, Administrators, Principals, Teamwork
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

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