Strengths
Leaders demonstrate courage and collaboration
Collaboration is important among leaders because it offers an increase in the understanding of diverse perspectives. The coordinated efforts of multiple educators can accomplish more than the efforts of one or a few separately. It is important that schools have courageous and collaborative leaders because they are able to put forth their knowledge and beliefs into action. They do this to ensure that practices are for the students' best interests and will implement changes if they are not within the school's vision (AMLE, 2010, p.29). The principal encourages a team of leaders responsible for building a culture of collaboration and values feedback from all invested members of the school community. Based on my observations and interview with Mr. Hunt, the entire staff is dedicated in placing a top priority on the education and healthy development of every student. They show their commitment by having an early dismissal for every Wednesday during the entire school year so faculty members can get together to offer solutions to issues that are not aligned with the students' best interests. They also read out research to ensure that teachers are implementing practices that are not out of date in their classrooms. Each teacher also has a mentor and attends teacher conferences to assess performance.
Organizational structures foster purposeful learning and meaningful relationships
Organizational structure is important because it can have an impact on the learning environment. Students need to feel well acquainted, feel safe, respected, and supported in a sense of a family-like environment (AMLE, 2010, p. 31). By setting this atmosphere, students become confident in engaging purposeful learning and building meaningful relationships. Therefore, in order to promote student learning, schools need to make sure that teams or schools within schools are created so students can have closer relationships among their peers and teachers. Derry Middle School fulfill this task by forming a team through a partnership with Mr. Hunt and the next door 7th grade teacher, Mr. Guetta. This is a strategic move because,
"Student engagement rises as class size falls for both elementary and secondary students," (Nieto, 2012, p. 128).
Additionally, they both understand how essential common planning time is to provide the best learning environment. Therefore, they both get together during planning time to search for ways to integrate the curriculum, analyze assessment data, examine student work, and reflect on the effectiveness of their teaching methods (AMLE, 2010, p. 32). This is important for the success of both students and teachers because by sharing responsibility and working together as a team sets guidance and positive influence among the school community.
Weakness
A shared vision developed by all stakeholders guides every decision
In order to create a school where every student can become successful, it is important that a vision is built around a set core of beliefs that are supported by all stakeholders. However, based on my interview with Mr. Hunt, it appears that administrators are not upholding their beliefs because the majority of administrators will shortly retire. There is also a high turnover rate in teachers and administrators because it is a Title I school which may lead to a decrease in performance. This is detrimental to the school community because a vision needs to be shared with all stakeholders including students, teachers, administrators, families, board of education members, and the community to achieve a truly successful middle school for every young adolescent (AMLE, 2010, p. 27). This is important to accomplish in order to create an environment where any student can experience success. One of the Derry Middle School's core beliefs is emphasizing the importance of partnerships among the school, home, and community to ensure students' success. However, Mr. Hunt is sadly disappointed by the lack of parental and community involvement. I fear that this may be due to the administrators lack of motivation and work-ethic in creating programs that welcome a united partnership. The administrators need to be reminded that they play a crucial role in ensuring that all students learn at high level because improvements cannot depend on any single person.