The document is a personal reflection on Standard 3: Cultural Leadership. It discusses four key aspects of cultural leadership: (1) focusing on collaborative work environments to improve school culture; (2) using shared vision, values, and goals to define the school's identity and culture; (3) acknowledging failures and celebrating accomplishments to define school performance and culture; and (4) developing efficacy and empowerment among staff to influence school identity, culture, and performance. The reflection emphasizes the importance of the principal understanding these aspects of cultural leadership and acting accordingly.

1. Personal Reflection on
Standard 3: Cultural
Leadership
Tawanda C. Smallwood
NELA Cohort III
DLP #3 Assignment 3.3

2. Standard 3: Cultural
Leadership

3. a. Focus on collaborative
work environment
• The principal understands and acts on the understanding
of the positive role that a collaborative work environment
can play in the school’s culture.
In order to improve the culture of the school as a principal, I understand
the importance of creating a safe place for teachers to work together. I
need to set up an atmosphere where collaboration is routine. I also
understand that this collaboration has to improve student achievement.
As the principal I need to monitor what is going on in the building to
ensure teachers are communicating and collaborating for the betterment
of the students. I also need to pay attention the data from the Teacher
Working Conditions Survey to get a picture of what teachers feel.

5. b. School Culture and
Identity
• The principal develops and uses shared vision,
values and goals to define the identity and culture of
the school.
As the leader in the school, I need to make sure everything
that we do, every decision that is made is driven by the
shared vision, values, beliefs and goals of the school.
Whenever teachers or administration think what to do for
students, it need to be related to the ultimate vision of the
school and the direction the school is going in. As a leader,
I understand that the people working with me are just as
important and that I need to know that they are on the same
page as the school and where we are going.

6. Shared Vision…

7. c. Acknowledges Failures: Celebrates
Accomplishments and Rewards
• The principal acknowledges failures and celebrates
accomplishments of the school in order to define the
identity, culture and performance of the school.
As a leader I understand the importance of celebrating accomplishment. But I
also realize it has to be utilized in a way to promote the accomplishments of the
school. I also understand that if something is not working in the school or
producing the desired results that it is a great opportunity to learn from failure.
All failure is not bad, it’s just what you do with the results. Using the results to
revisit, revamp, or remove all together as a way to improve.

9. d. Efficacy and
Empowerment
• The principal develops a sense of efficacy and
empowerment among staff which influences the
school’s identity, culture and performance.
As a leader I know that in order for the school to succeed and
accomplish its goals that I need to build a sense of efficacy and
empower all teachers and staff. I also know that key players such
as parents, teachers and students need to have a collective sense
of well-being in order to improve student achievement.