A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.
Case Study: A Safe School Environment for Learning
Key Questions
Have the decisions made by the school leadership team provided a safe environment which enhances learning and teaching?
How have stakeholders embraced the changes made by the leadership team?
The Situation
This educator’s school population has changed over the past eight years. The current student body is made up of students from middle class families as well as 58% of the student population qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Many students come from single parent homes. Parents often work many hours to meet the financial needs of the family. Students have less guidance from home than ever before. The administration felt the need for a change to the behavior/character education program currently being implemented at the school in an effort to establish the school as a “safe place” for all stakeholders to learn. The administration and leadership team acknowledged the need for students to feel safe when present. The leadership team researched many different behavior interventions as well as character education models. The leadership team adopted the philosophy of Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey. When implementing Conscious Discipline throughout the school, the students will learn to solve their own problems and resolve conflicts.
Answers to Questions
Has the decision made by the school leadership team provided a safe environment which enhances learning and teaching?
The decision to adopt and train the faculty on Conscious Discipline has enhanced learning in some classrooms. The students in these classrooms have developed a sense of ownership in the classroom. The students help make decisions and solve problems which may occur. Discipline issues have decreased from the previous school year. The administration knows that with fewer behavior disruptions more learning can occur.
How have stakeholders embraced the changes made by the leadership team?
Most teachers have implemented the ideas of Conscious Discipline with success. The students in these classrooms have also embraced the philosophy of Conscious Discipline. However, as with all change, some teachers have resisted the implementation of Conscious Discipline. These teachers will continue to participate in professional learning and peer observations in an effort to transform their behavior intervention strategies.
Evaluation
At this time, the implementation of Conscious Discipline is in the developing stage. The philosophy of Conscious Discipline is worthy of implementation by all teachers. However, at this time, not all teachers are implementing the philosophy on a daily basis. The administration supports the philosophy and will continue the expectation of all teachers implementing the philosophy which will move the school towards the proficient and accomplished stages.
