ERIC Number: EJ1002400
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Nov
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1529-8957
EISSN: N/A
Knowing All Students: Creating a Culture
Barr, Kristel
Principal Leadership, v13 n3 p40-43 Nov 2012
In spring 2006, the names of all the students in the entire senior class of Truman High School in Independence, MO, were written on individual note cards that were taped to the walls in the cafeteria. When the teachers arrived for the meeting, they were asked to write the answers to the following questions on the note cards: (1) What is a hobby of this senior?; (2) What is the career goal of this senior?; and (3) What are the postsecondary plans of this senior? The teachers were given plenty of time to answer the questions. This activity pointed out the fallacy in the belief that teachers are having a good, solid relationships with their students. The mission was clear: teachers didn't know their kids and that needed to be remedied. And so began their journey to change the culture of their school so that they could truly become what they thought they were. The school altered its vision and mission statements to reflect an increased emphasis on knowing students. New traditions include activities that refocus teachers' attention on students, such as writing students personal notes, restructuring faculty meetings, and sharing stories.
Descriptors: Student Attitudes, Teacher Student Relationship, High School Students, High School Seniors, Grade 12, Institutional Mission, Caring, Teacher Attitudes
National Association of Secondary School Principals. 1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1537. Tel: 800-253-7746; Tel: 703-860-0200; Fax: 703-620-6534; Web site: http://www.principals.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Missouri
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A