1
Clinical Field Experience A: Shaping School Culture Interview and Observation
Jorge Romero II
College of Education, Grand Canyon University
EAD-513: Shaping School Culture
Justin Greathouse
July 14, 2021
2
Clinical Field Experience A: Shaping School Culture Interview and Observation
For my first interview, I had a discussion with a third-grade teacher. The way she
supports the school’s vision and mission is by being a role model to her students through her
behavior and actions towards them. She sets high expectations, builds relationships with students
and families, and supports them with any individual needs. As well, they open the doors each
morning to welcome students with a smile and prioritizes creating classroom environments
where students feel safe and accepted.
One of the strategies she uses to promote the school’s vision and mission with students include
using the Second Step program for students to practice problem solving skills with person and
academic problems. Another strategy that she uses is the implementation of Positive Behavioral
Interventions and Supports. This strategy helps students to follow PACT expectations (Personal
best, accountable, critical thinkers, tolerant). Furthermore, she keeps consistent communication
with parents and guardians about their child’s progress and achievements to keep them informed
and involved in their educational experience.
For my second interview, I talked with a kindergarten-second grade special education
teacher. The way she supports the school’s vision and mission is by focusing on students that are
struggling academically to help them succeed and decrease the achievement gap within the
classroom. As well, she strives to learn the strengths and weaknesses of every student to find the
appropriate resources and instruction approach to connect with them. According to her classroom
motto, every student deserves a teacher that believes in their potential to be a better version of
themselves.
One of the strategies she uses to promote the school’s vision and mission with other students and
teachers include using visuals that they review each morning to remind them what their goal of
3
receiving an education is. She has wall posters, sticky notes, and written quotes on the white
board to address the vision. As well, she has discussions with parents on her role to support
students academically and teaching life skills that will be used beyond the school setting.
Another strategy she uses is ClassDojo to build connections with parents by posting classroom
highlights and successful events weekly.
As a future athletic director, I will implement standard 1 of the Professional Standards for
Educational Leaders within my school culture. Based on what I learned through discussions with
peers, it is important as a leader to create a vision and mission that focuses on positively
influencing students and their educational experience. As stated in standard 1.3 of the PSEL
standards, “effective leaders articulate, advocate, and cultivate core values that define the
school’s culture and stress the imperative of child-centered education; high expectations and
student support; equity, inclusiveness, and social justice; openness, caring, and trust; and
continuous improvement” (p. 9). Most teachers ultimately chose a teaching career to impact the
lives of children and creating a school culture that gives them a platform to make this goal
possible is important. Furthermore, it is critical that I model the intended school culture with my
words and actions for the community to learn from and follow along. As illustrated in standard
1.7, effective leaders “Model and pursue the school’s mission, vision, and core values in all
aspects of leadership” (p. 9). Overall, if the community members observe that I am fully
committed to the school’s vision and mission, they will emulate it with colleagues, students, and
families.
4
References
National Policy Board for Educational Administration. (2015). Professional Standards for
Educational Leaders. https://www.npbea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Professional-
Standards-for-Educational-Leaders_2015.pdf
William C. Jack. (2021). Homepage. https://portals.gesd40.org/jack
