Dr. Anthony Muhammad spoke last week at WMEP in partnership with Dr. Hollie on their book The Will to Lead, The Skill to Teach. Dr. Muhammad made a perfect compliment for Dr. Hollie’s strategy-focused approach by addressing the importance of “tilling the soil” in school culture and classrooms in order for culturally-responsive teaching and polices to be effective. Muhammad warned that too much attention is spent on strategies and not enough on culture. He asked if we take great strategies and policies plant them in a poor environment, how do we expect those seeds to grow?
It was a powerful reminder of the importance of continuing to pursue healthy school culture. I saw this pursuit first hand in several coaching conversations this week with educators.
- Educators talking about their most challenging students with a focus on their strengths
- Educators purposely exploring how to incorporate and validate student cultures in discussion
- Educators reflecting on the assets and needs of our student body
- Educators creating space for and intentionally listening to student voice before making decisions
Did you see someone till the soil this week? Tell them. Encourage them. Creating a healthy school culture takes work so we all can use little reminders we’re in this together.
“Educators have an unwavering belief in the ability of all of their students to achieve success, and they pass that belief on to others in overt and covert ways. Educators create policies and procedures and adopt practices that support their belief in the ability of every student.” —Kent D. Peterson
The book The Skill to Lead, The Will to Lead is available for check out in our Professional Learning library in the staff lounge.