Campus Culture + Community Connection Presenters: Principal Quinton Courts, Cigarroa Elementary School, Dallas ISD Principal Lynn Ojeda, Academy High School, Plano ISD

Quinton Courts, Principal Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa, M.D. Elementary School

Flipping Campus Culture: A Case Study in School Turnaround 1.State of the school in SY First steps to spark a culture shift 3.Day-to-day leader actions that build a positive school culture 4.Campus culture turnaround results 5.Lessons learned

Opened in Fall students 98.3% Low SES 13 th highest percent poverty of 229 Dallas ISD schools 96% Hisp., 3% AA, 1% Other 3 rd largest number of newcomers of 229 Dallas ISD schools 43 teachers 78 staff members Cigarroa Elementary Facts in SY13-14

7 teacher vacancies in SY13-14 Kindergarten student to teacher ratio of 35:1 60% of teachers set to leave for SY14-15 No action planning for SY14-15 Spring 2014 Climate survey among bottom 5 of 227 Dallas ISD schools State of the School in May of SY13-14

7 teacher vacancies in SY13-14 Kindergarten student to teacher ratio of 35:1 60% of teachers set to leave for SY14-15 No action planning for SY14-15 Spring 2014 Climate survey among bottom 5 of 227 Dallas ISD schools State of the School in May of SY13-14 PK K12345 Some teachers changed grade level/content areas up to 5 times in one year.

7 teacher vacancies in SY13-14 Kindergarten student to teacher ratio of 35:1 60% of teachers set to leave for SY14-15 No action planning for SY14-15 Spring 2014 Climate survey among bottom 5 of 227 Dallas ISD schools State of the School in May of SY13-14 For SY14-15, 60% of teachers were new to the campus and 49% were 1 st year teachers.

Spring 2014 Campus Climate Survey Beliefs and Priorities 145th of 147 Culture of Feedback and Support 145th of 147 Positive Culture and Environment 144th of 147 College-Going Culture 143rd of 147

Spring 2014 Campus Climate Survey: What the Staff Said 28% believed the school was headed in the right direction 22% believed the school’s professional development helped their instruction 28% believed they worked in an environment of support and respect 25% would recommend others to work at Cigarroa

First Steps to a Culture Shift Step One: Assess the state of the school. Interview every staff member and important stakeholders individually for 20 minutes.

First Steps to a Culture Shift Step One: Assess the state of the school. “There is no pulse here. Adults and kids just show up.” “Our personal and family time are not respected.” “Whatever we do, it needs to have a purpose.” “Feedback is harsh and punitive.”

First Steps to a Culture Shift Step One: Assess the state of the school. If you could create three overarching foci for this school, what would they be? What systems, routines, and practices are working in this school and what would you like to keep? Which are not working and you would like to change? What have been you and your students’ biggest challenges at this school? Would you like to be a leader in this school? Would you like to help make plans for this school outside of school hours?

First Steps to a Culture Shift Step Two: Form a team and train as a team. Staff interviews will draw you to those whom you will trust the most.

First Steps to a Culture Shift Step Three: Start with the heart from day one. Collaboratively create a school vision to which all individuals will aspire to reach, and collaboratively create school values which will manifest in everyday decisions and behaviors.

First Steps to a Culture Shift Step Three: Start with the heart from day one. Collaboratively create a school vision to which all individuals will aspire to reach, and collaboratively create school values which will manifest in everyday decisions and behaviors.

First Steps to a Culture Shift Step Four: Invest students and their families. Clearly explain the rationale and the new direction to the school.

Day-to-Day Leader Actions That Build a Positive School Culture Connect everything to the vision and values. Talk about, take pictures of, and highlight the vision and values in action.

Day-to-Day Leader Actions That Build a Positive School Culture Connect everything to the vision and values. Talk about, take pictures of, and highlight the vision and values in action.

Day-to-Day Leader Actions That Build a Positive School Culture Walk the walk alongside your staff. Call them by name. Sit with them in professional development. Plan with them. Always give them face-to-face feedback. Know what they value in their life. Don’t park in the principal’s parking spot.

Day-to-Day Leader Actions That Build a Positive School Culture Rebrand everything!

Day-to-Day Leader Actions That Build a Positive School Culture Rebrand everything!

Day-to-Day Leader Actions That Build a Positive School Culture Rebrand everything!

Day-to-Day Leader Actions That Build a Positive School Culture Love your kids and their parents – always!

Day-to-Day Leader Actions That Build a Positive School Culture Say yes… a lot.

Campus Climate Turnaround Results: Spring 2014 Campus Climate Survey Average group rank = 144/147 schools

Campus Climate Turnaround Results: Fall 2014 Campus Climate Survey Average group rank = 10/147 schools

Fall 2014 Campus Climate Survey: What the Staff Said Domain Spring 2014 Rank Quintile Fall 2014 Rank Quintile Beliefs and Priorities145/14715/1475 Culture of Feedback and Support 145/14719/1475 Positive Culture and Environment 144/147111/1475 College-Going Culture143/147118/1475

Fall 2014 Campus Climate Survey: What the Staff Said 100% believed the campus was lead with values. 100% believed the campus was headed in the right direction. 100% understood their role in implementing the school’s key actions. 100% believed campus leadership helped them understand their role in the school.

Additional Campus Culture Wins 100% believe the campus is lead with values in Fall 2014, Spring 2015, and Fall Cigarroa has the 7 th highest parent satisfaction rating (97.1% positive) of 229 schools and the highest of any comprehensive school. 100% would recommend others to work at Cigarroa in Fall We currently have 16 candidates who want to transfer to Cigarroa. #7

Lessons Learned Relationships are everything and they help you to have successful difficult conversations, including nonrenewals. Never forget what it is like to be a teacher. Respond to their concerns as soon as possible. Acknowledge what they value and celebrate their life as well as you do your students.

Lessons Learned When in a school turnaround situation, be realistic and honest about the time in which the campus will achieve culture and student achievement goals. Celebrate wins along the way and at the same time, be public about what needs to improve. Design a values-based behavioral interview process for any candidate interested in your campus.

Thank you! Quinton Courts (972)

Lynn Ojeda, principal Plano ISD Academy High School

Principal's role = Learner Agent February Examples Toyota and Michael Canes Chicken Aveda and Alex architects and Matthew Mark Cuban

Do you know your learners? How do you know? Based on what?

How does your vision of support align with corporate objectives? How do you get to "yes"?

Who are your community members? Parent Alliance Staff Ed. Foundation Universities Non-Profits Organizations Cold calls...practice with-it-ness for amazing connections! In person communication is BEST!

Now what? Communicate…Ambassadors…Business Cards

Next Steps ~ Make a Plan! Debrief after the tour and discuss possible connections. –What do they need? –What do they have to offer? –Does is align with your vision?

From cowboy boots to calculating the swept volume of a pneumatic actuator … Do you have “woo”?

Be prepared to share specific examples of what they gain in partnership.

Follow Up note of thanks and next steps Allow at least 6 weeks notice for engagement opportunity Recognize businesses have "seasons” too. Consider streamlining process of checking in. Offer hospitality when appropriate Many corporations have employee matching programs for schools = $$$

Show me the money! We are about the brain. Educating the brain requires space, consumable materials, and experiences!

Thank You! Questions?