"Principals at all levels will find this book valuable. It translates espoused theories of climate and culture into practical ideas."

-Boyd Dressler, Associate Adjunct Professor, Montana State University

"Focused, to the point, and direct-a quick read for a busy principal looking for ideas."

-Leslie A. Standerfer, Principal, Estrella Foothills High School, Goodyear, AZ

Set the tone for educational success!

School culture is one of the most important factors in student and staff performance. Positive climates foster superior achievement, while negative climates discourage learners, educators, and parents alike. Based on thirty years of combined experience as school principals, staff developers, and educational leaders, John F. and Sheila Eller present a wide spectrum of unique, practical, and proven strategies to improve school climate and culture.

Divided into chapters that emphasize the main components of school culture, this guide allows busy school leaders to go directly to the section that best addresses their specific needs. The authors provide a clear definition of culture along with diagnostic tools to help readers determine the state of their school's culture. Chapters feature activities and ideas to:

- Foster personal rapport and collegiality between staff members

- Develop collaborative work relationships

- Improve staff meetings

- Address issues related to office operations

- Deal appropriately with conflict

Creative Strategies to Transform School Culture offers fun and inventive ideas for school leaders who are working diligently to create a collaborative teaching and learning environment.

John Eller has had a variety of experiences in working with adults over the years he has been in education. His experiences include work educational leaders at Virginia Tech University, developing teacher leaders in a Maters program, serving as the Executive Director of Minnesota ASCD, work as a principal's training center director, a position as an assistant superintendent for curriculum, learning, and staff development, and several principal positions in a variety of settings. In addition to the work he does in training and supporting facilitators, John also does work in the areas of dealing with difficult people, building professional learning communities, employee evaluation, conferencing skills, coaching skills, strategic planning strategies, school improvement planning and implementation, differentiated instruction, leadership for differentiation, employee recruitment, selection, and induction, supervisory skills, and effective teaching strategies.

He has his PhD. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University-Chicago and his MS in Educational Leadership from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. John has authored books on substitute teaching, wrote The Training Video Series for the Professional School Bus Driver, The principals' Guide to Custodial Supervision contributes articles for the publication Superintendents Only. He wrote Effective Group Facilitation in Education: How to Energize Meetings and Manage Difficult Groups, and co-authored So Now You're the Superintendent, the best selling, Energizing Staff Meetings and Creative Strategies to Improve School Culture all through Corwin Press.

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. Culture and Climate
About This Chapter
School Climate Versus Culture
Rapport, Trust, Climate, Culture, and Their Interrelationship
The Importance of Trust
Building and Sustaining Organizational Trust
Strategies to Build Trust and Impact School Climate
Summary
2. Diagnosing the Present Climate and Culture of Your School
About This Chapter
Informal Diagnostic Strategies
Formal or Structured Diagnostic Instruments
Planning Templates
Summary
3. Building the Foundation for Success
About This Chapter
Working With the Office Staff
Strategy: Planning and Developing an Effective Office Staff
Creating a Positive Physical Environment for Staff
Strategy: Through These Doors
Welcoming Staff Back to School
Activity: Getting to Know Your Teachers and Staff
Activity: Welcome Back Barbeque
Refreshments for Staff
Business Cards for Staff
Name Plates for Teachers
Positive Message
First Day Survival Kit
Ice Cream Social Event
Breakfast for Staff
Wrapping Up the Classroom
Book Fair Gifts
Summary
4. Building an Emotional Base for Your Climate and Culture Improvements
About This Chapter
Activity: Measuring Their Impact
Activity: I Remember When...
Activity: Descriptive Footwear
Activity: The Boot Award
Activity: Jack-O-Lanterns
Activity: Block of Support
Activity: Artifact Introductions
Activity: The Thank You Blitz
Activity: Candle Ceremony
Activity: Bag of Positive Phrases
Activity: Spread the Word
Activity: Reward With a Smile
Activity: A Novel Staff
Activity: Floating or Traveling Trophy
Activity: Jelly Bean Questions
Activity: Snowball Fight
Summary
5. Staff Meeting Starters to Build Culture
Activity: Good News
Activity: Human Bingo
Activity: Whös Connected
Activity: My Piece of the Pie
Activity: I¿m a Card
Summary
6. Activities to Couple With Tasks and Decisions
About This Chapter
Activity: Future Set
Activity: Carouseling
Strategy: Leafing Out With Goal Attainment
Activity: Comparison Diagram
Activity: Buy What Is Most Important
Activity: It¿s a Star
Activity: Criteria Rating
Activity: Progressive Problem Solving
Activity: From My Perspective
Activity: Ripple Effects
Activity: Small Group Ripple Effects
Activity: Sticky Note Ripple Effects
Activity: Ripple Effects Contest
Activity: Carousel Ripple Effects
Summary
7. Building a Sense of Team
About This Chapter
Interdependence, Community, and Their Impact on School Climate and Culture
Activity: Toxic Waste Transfer
Activity: Figure It Out
Activity: Communication Problems
Activity: All Tied Up
Activity: Passing the Hoop
Activity: Building a Poker Hand
Activity: Hula Hoop Relays
Activity: Circle of Support
Activity: Rising Tower
Activity: It Takes a Village
Summary
8. We¿re Not Getting Along; Now What?
About This Chapter
The Nature of Conflict
Activity: Pack Up Your Baggage
Activity: Parking Lot Meeting
Activity: Transfer the Anger
Activity: Ashes to Ashes
Activity: Go to Your Corners
Activity: Corner on Perspectives
Activity: Victory Laps
Activity: Half-Full or Half-Empty
Activity: Compare our Perspectives
Activity: Peeling the Onion
Mediating Between Conflicting Parties
Productive Influence of Conflict on a Team
Conflict and Chaos
Summary
9. Celebrating Your Success
About This Chapter
Strategy: Planning the Celebration at the Start of the Initiative
Activity: High Fives
Activity: Banana Splits
Activity: Gallery Walk
Strategy: Trophy Case Displays
Strategy: Get Out of Duty Cards
Strategy: Success Thermometer
Summary
10. Supporting Climate and Cultural Change as a Leader
About This Chapter
Step 1: Understand Your Strengths, Weaknesses, and Inhibitions
Step 2: Build a Seedbed
Step 3: Plant the Seeds
Step 4: Nurture Them, Watch Them Grow
Step 5: Pull the Weeds
Step 6: Harvest the Crop
Summary
References
Index