prof ed

1. CHAPTER 10:
CREATING A POSITIVE
SCHOOL CULTURE
Prepared by: Caliso, Chemil Rose B.
Ferrer, Rema Joy V.
Gajo, Jaira G.
Paniergo, Erica U.

2. INTRODUCTION
School culture matters. This influences to a great extent how well
students perform. School culture is a creation of all the people in school
and in the community especially that of the school heads. It can be
positive or negative. It can facilitate or adversely affect learning. A school
community must therefore strive to create a positive culture.

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this Chapter, you should be able to:
1. explain the meaning of school culture;
2. discuss how school culture affects learning; and
3. cite ways by which you can contribute to the building
of positive culture.

4. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF
SCHOOL CULTURE?

5. THE MEANING OF SCHOOL
CULTURE
According to Spacey (2017) and Scott and Marzano (2014),
school culture is the overall atmosphere and character of a
school. It's shaped by its beliefs, rules, and traditions, and
affects things like student safety and how diverse the school
is. Essentially, it's how the school's daily life is run and how
that reflects its values.

6. CULTURE AS SOCIAL CONSTRUCT
Sean Siade (2014) explains that school culture isn't inherited; it's
created by everyone in the school community—leaders, teachers,
parents, staff, students, and the community. You can often feel the
school's culture immediately upon entering; it might be welcoming or
intimidating, encouraging participation or silencing voices, and
promoting either self-direction or strict leadership.

7. SCHOOL CLIMATE AND SCHOOL
CULTURE
School climate is the overall atmosphere and feeling within a
school, reflecting the daily interactions and relationships among
students, staff, and the wider community. School culture is a
deeper level, encompassing the shared values, beliefs, and
traditions that guide the school's operations and shape its identity.
They are related but distinct concepts; climate is more readily
observable, while culture is more deeply ingrained.

8. THE ROLE OF SCHOOL CULTURE IN
LEARNING
School culture significantly impacts learning. A positive school culture
fosters a supportive environment that promotes improvement,
collaboration, professional development for staff, and ultimately,
student success. Conversely, a negative school culture can hinder
these aspects and create barriers to effective learning.

9. ELEMENTS OF A POSITIVE
CULTURE
1. Collegiality: A friendly atmosphere where responsibility is shared, allowing individuals to be
themselves without pressure to impress.
2. Experimentation: Encouragement of experimentation and acceptance of mistakes as part of the
learning process.
3. High Expectations: Setting ambitious goals for achievement, while being aware of and addressing any
subconscious biases that may lead to low expectations for certain students.
4. Trust and Confidence: Strong relationships built on trust facilitate honest communication within the
school community.
5. Tangible Support: Providing concrete support for positive actions, such as functional classroom
equipment.
6. Reaching Out to Knowledge Base: Commitment to professional growth and updating content
knowledge and teaching methods.

10. ELEMENTS OF A POSITIVE
CULTURE
7. Appreciation and Recognition: Offering sincere praise to foster a positive classroom climate and
encourage good behavior.
8. Caring Celebration Humor: Demonstrating care for students to enhance engagement, with
specific praise for positive actions.
9. Involvement in Decision Making: Engaging the community in decision-making processes to
foster ownership and importance.
10. Protection of What is Important: Preserving traditions and policies that reflect the school's
values, such as health and nutrition initiatives.
11. Traditions: Establishing a culture-based program that promotes shared values, beliefs, and
behaviors, reinforcing community and purpose.
12. Honest and Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue without fear of ostracism,
promoting a culture of respect and understanding.

11. SHARED NORMS: TEACHER AND
STUDENT NORMS
Shared norms between teachers and students contribute to a positive
school culture. According to Boss and Larmer (2018), these shared
norms foster a fair and engaging learning environment, a key
characteristic of a positive school culture. Regular checks on these
norms are recommended.

12. CONCLUSION
School culture encompasses the characteristics of a school, extending beyond
its structure, resources, and practices. It's actively created by the school
community and isn't simply inherited. School culture is broader than school
climate; school climate is the relational aspect, while school culture includes
deeper reflections of shared values and beliefs. A school's culture significantly
impacts learning, with positive cultures fostering learning and negative ones
leading to toxic environments. Therefore, schools must actively cultivate a
positive school culture.

13. THANK YOU!