-
Building Strong School Cultures: A Statewide Conversation
Culture is hard to change, but strong cultures are fundamental to organizational resilience.Karen Seashore Handout
To view "Strong Cultures and School Improvement" by Karen Seashore Louis
Click HereStudy guide for leading book discussions: chapter 1.Your
Study Guides
Click Here
Study guide for leading book discussions: chapter 2.
Click Here
Study guide for leading book discussions: chapter 3.
Click Here
Study guide for leading book discussions: chapter 4.
Click Here
Study guide for leading book discussions: chapter 5.
Click Here
Study guide for leading book discussions: chapter 6.
Click Here
Study guide for leading book discussions: chapter 7.
Click Here
Study guide for leading book discussions: chapter 8.
Click HereA collaboration among:
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA)
The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA)
The Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP)
Based on the work of Karen Seashore and Sharon D. Kruse and their book, Building Strong School Cultures: A Guide To Leading Change (© 2009, Corwin Press)
MASA, MESPA, and MASSP (representing Minnesota elementary, middle, and secondary school principals, and district superintendents and central office administrators) are uniting in a yearlong conversation to support integrated school cultures that engage educators with their colleagues and communities. This initiative is based on the work exemplified by the book, Building Strong School Cultures: A Guide to Leading Change, which shows school leaders how to build a climate of collaboration with staff, teachers, and parents as well as how to develop connections with the wider community. The authors call on school leaders to create viable, sustainable school cultures using organizational learning and trust to involve the professional community and to affect teaching and learning. This presents a leadership approach that integrates teachers, parents, and community members into a coherent team.
The goal of our statewide conversation is to focus all levels of school leadership on a common topic and so provide a platform of professional development adaptable according to the needs of individuals and districts. With this program, we are hoping to help school leaders work together to build and sustain strong school cultures that support student success.
To participate, you may choose among a number of options (or create your own!)
Get the book …
Each MASA member attending the MASA Fall Conference has received a copy of the book. To obtain additional copies, you may order through traditional channels, or MESPA will order for you.
Individuals may buy books on their own through Corwin Press, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.: Corwin’s price is $31.95 + 5.95 for shipping and handling = $38.
Or you may order books through MESPA (thank you, MESPA!). MESPA will order books in bulk at a discount; cost with shipping and handling = $30. Order through MESPA online at http://www.mespa.net/Purchase_Building_Strong_School_Cultures.html. MESPA will send your order to Corwin when MESPA receives your payment, and Corwin will mail books to you within a week.
Get 10 CEU’s for reading and responding to the book...
MASA members may read the book, complete a
Reading Response Form (find it on the MASA web site), submit the form to MASA and we will issue the CEU’s. MASA, MASSP, and MESPA all have the ability to issue CEU’s for the book.
Take part in an online discussion …
Mary Hanson (MESPA Ed Ad Committee Chair) invites you to take part in a blog (Web-based) discussion of Building Strong School Cultures. The blog will be open to all members of MASA, MESPA, and MASSP.
If you post six blog responses from January 4 - April 30, 2010, you will receive 3 administrator CEUs.
The blog will be a Google Group, overseen by MESPA. More information is coming soon.
Host a book discussion …
We encourage you to consider hosting a book discussion. You could do this for your district leadership team, your regional colleagues, your “book club,” or simply a group of friends. You may receive CEU’s for this activity also.
You will note that there are opportunities for activities and reflection at the end of each chapter of the book. In addition, Dr. Seashore has generously provided study guides (the “cliff’s notes” for the book). Find them on the left column of this page.
We will also bring you additional resources regarding district culture as they become available. For example, we are exploring the possibility of convening regional meetings with Dr. Seashore for district leadership teams.
Tell us how you are using this material …
send MASA Professional Development Director Mia Urick an email at urickm@mnasa.org and we will share your ideas.
We hope you enjoy this and find it helpful in building and sustaining your own school culture. Let us know what you think!
=====================================The Minnesota Association of School Administrators
1884 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
651-645-6272
toll free: 1-866-444-5251
fax: 651-645-7518
members@mnasa.org • www.mnasa.org
As advocates for children, MASA's educational leaders will establish the statewide agenda for children, serve as the preeminent voice for public education, and empower members through quality services and support.Buy the book
on your ownIndividuals may buy books on their own through Corwin Press, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.
Corwin’s price is $31.95 + 5.95 for shipping and handling = $38.Buy the book
through MESPA
Click here to order your book through MESPA -- and get a discount price!
Cost with shipping/handling
= $30.• MESPA will take in member book orders: online order, fax, paper (mail).
• Order sent to Corwin when MESPA receives member payment (check).
• Corwin will mail books to members within the week.Read the book
and get 10 CEUsThe Minnesota Board of School Administrators has approved 10 CEUs (administrator continuing education units) for reading and responding to "Building Strong School Cultures." To obtain your CEUs:Blog your way
to CEUsTake part in a blog (Web-based) discussion of "Building Strong School Cultures" -- led by Mary Hanson (MESPA Ed Ad Committee chair).
The blog will be open to all members of MESPA, MASSP, and MASA (Minnesota elementary and middle level principals and superintendents).
If you post six blog responses from January 4 - April 30, 2010, you will receive 3 administrator CEUs.The blog will be a Google Group, overseen by MESPA. To sign into the blog, click on the link below!Ready to join
the blog?Any MESPA/MASSP/MASA member may join the book discussion blog.
• Click on the link above to get to the Google Group page.
• Click on “Sign in and apply for membership.”
• Click on “Create an account now.”
• Enter your e-mail address, create a password, and follow other instructions for opening your account.
You will be asked if you are a MESPA, MASSP, or MASA member: type in your name and where you are a school administrator.
All MESPA/MASSP/MASA members will be approved for membership within one day. You’ll receive an e-mail notice from the Google Group that you’re in!
To post an answer to questions from the blog moderator• Click on the blog link above. (You must go to the blog page to post an answer; you can't do it through e-mail.)
• Enter your e-mail address and password.
• Click on the “Discussion” title you would like to respond to. (You will then see a list of all postings for that discussion.)
• Click on “Reply” below the posting. Type your answer and click “Send” at the bottom of the answer box.
Last Modified on November 4, 2009
