For the past few years I’ve had the opportunity to work with Michael Greening, Principal of Royal Oak High School in Royal Oak, MI. My role was to support Michael’s work to enhance his school’s services to students. Royal Oak High School was created in the fall of 2006 with the merger of Dondero and Kimball High School and was confronted with the need to create its own unique culture out of the legacy of the two former high schools.
Each summer Michael’s invites the staff to meet with him in one of three roundtable discussions about the school, its program, and its services. The discussions are transcribed, shared with all staff and serve as of the ways to focus continued improvement efforts. For the past three summers Michael has asked that I observe the sessions. I've been impressed with the open, transparent discussion and the lack of defensiveness among participants.
Out of these discussions emerged a shared recognition that Royal Oak High School could benefit from a recommitment to serve key principles of professionalism and ethical behavior. A Code of Professionalism/Educator’s Guide was created and referenced throughout the year. It said that “everything we do must be governed by the fundamental principles of integrity, compassion, excellence, creativity and accountability.” Further, it committed adults to being “respectful, fair, and courteous in all professional interactions with our educational partners, including colleagues, parents, students, and the wider Royal Oak community.
The statement reminded people that “all members of our school community have a sense of responsibility and accountability to each other.” It concluded with “The strength of our school is build upon the relationships within it.”
What a powerful statement! More importantly, it was developed based on the staff’s interest in affirming their core beliefs about how they should work with one another and with students and their community. This shared commitment is what makes such statements impact school life.
This summer Michael scheduled more roundtable discussions. One of the things that will be discussed is how well they are doing on making their shared commitment to students work.
I'd enjoy hearing from you about ways you work with your teachers and community to build shared commitment and to keep the focus clearly on student success.
