Creating the Vision and Mission for Our Campus
by Julie English
Setting:Jamesville School District is a large school district with four high schools, eight junior highs, and 24 elementary schools. One of the junior highs in the district is located in the south part of town and has been open for two years. The campus principal wrote the site-based plan the first year they were open, and the plan is still currently in effect. The school has 42 teachers. Fifty percent of the teachers have more than 10 years of experience; 30% have between 5 and 10 years of experience; and the remaining staff has less than 5 years of experience. The ethnic population consists of 80% White, 10% African American, 8% Hispanic, and 2% other.
Scenario:It is the third month of the second school year. Jane Jenks is the principal at the school for the second year. The staff appears to be working well together and teachers seem to be happy. Jane was a teacher for eight years before entering into administration 15 years ago. She has been a principal for the past 10 years and opened two new campuses. Jane brought many trusted friends and colleagues with her to this new school and asked three of them to be team leaders.
However, it has come to Jane's attention that there are a few teachers on campus who are discontented and are revealing their feelings to other staff members. Jane calls Marcy Pope, the assistant principal, into her office to discuss the situation.
"Marcy, I heard from one of our team leaders today that there are a some teachers on campus who seem to be a little dissatisfied with a few things on campus and are beginning to talk to other teachers about it,” Jane begins. “I am concerned that if we do not get to the bottom of these issues, we may have more serious problems to deal with down the road. What have you been hearing?"
"Well, it is my understanding that one of our teachers is pretty distraught with some of the accountability issues that have been established in our district, as well as on our campus,” Marcy answers. “She is also upset that she has not had a voice in any decisions that have been made on our campus and is making her feelings well known to other members of the staff. I have seen her behind closed doors talking with a few teachers and have heard that she is creating quite a stir. I was also told that she feels as though she cannot express her feelings because it wouldn’t make any difference."
"I understand that the staff has not been involved in the creation of the site-based plan or the vision for our school,” Jane responds. “As a matter of fact, I just received a copy of the results of our Organizational Health Inventory and I am not surprised by some of the findings. For the most part, the staff is happy about most issues, but we do have a problem in one area: There were several teachers who felt as though they were not involved in the decision-making. I certainly want to create an atmosphere in which the teachers feel they have a voice in the decisions made on our campus. In order to help our students be successful, I have tried to create norms in which teachers and other staff members feel a sense of ownership in our mission. I have every intention of creating a new vision statement for our school as well as a site plan. Do you have any suggestions about how we should proceed?"
“I definitely think we need to form a site-based committee,” Marcy says. “We need to make sure we include teachers from all grade levels as well as other members of the staff. Are you planning to write a new mission statement for the school as well?"
"Absolutely. That is the first thing I would like to do, and I really want some input from the staff. Before you came in here, I printed off the district vision and list of goals. As long as we are in line with the vision and goals, we’re headed in the right direction. Now, of course, we want to involve other members of the community as well. I think I will present my plans at the next team-leader meeting and give them a few weeks to get some responses from the rest of the staff. On second thought, I think I will address this in the faculty meeting planned for next week. I’ll convey the message to the teachers that I want to hear their opinions about the vision for our school. I also want them to start thinking about volunteering to sit on the site-based team. Hopefully we can get some of those teachers involved who feel as though their voices are not heard. I want the staff to also understand that the original plan was written because, at that time, there was not staff here to help write it. But now we need to collaborate and make a plan that the entire staff can own."
"You know, Jane,” Marcy says. “I have a great idea. As soon as the plan is written, we could display the different parts in the teachers’ lounge and check each one of them off as they are accomplished. The principal at my last school did that and everyone knew exactly where we stood."
"That's a great idea,” Jane says. “I would like to ask the site-based team to plan part of our staff development for the beginning of the school year; this can include activities that help familiarize the entire staff with the plan. When they see each component posted, they will have a greater understanding of the activities. Let's start with the writing of the vision statement for our campus. I will write up my ideas for presenting to the staff and involve them in the establishment of the vision. I would really like for you to look it over when I am finished and give me your input. I’ll then give the teachers one week to come up with some ideas for the mission statement. What do you think about getting the team leaders together to create one vision statement from the various inputs we receive?"
"I think that sounds great. I really believe our teachers have the same basic vision in mind for our school: They want children to be successful and they care about how they might influence their character and respect for others. I really hope this helps everyone feel as though they are participating in the decision-making process for our school.”
"After we establish the vision statement,” Jane continues, “We can assemble the committee and begin the process of aligning a revised site-based plan. I would really like for the members of the site-based team to go back to their grade levels and receive input from each member of the staff. The committee members will be familiar with our goals and will be able to convey the process to the staff. After we have received feedback, we can begin the process of putting the plan together. My only concern is the time element. The teachers at our school work long hours everyday. I am worried that this may prevent some teachers from volunteering to be on the site-based committee. What if we asked the P.T.D. to pay for half-day subs once a month so that we can get these established? This way, teachers won't be overburdened with more after-school meetings and will be more willing to serve on the committee."
"I think that's a wonderful idea. Let's do that."
Questions:
1. Describe how Jane is establishing a positive leadership climate.
2. Explain the effectiveness of establishing goals in the manner in which Jane is proposing.
3. Explain how you would establish a vision statement for your school.
4. How would Jane’s leadership framework influence the vision for the school?
5. What type of plan do you think Jane is using to establish a vision for the school?
6. What evidence, if any, do you see for each of the ELCC (Educational Leadership Constituent Council) standards (#1-7) in this case study?