Valley Insight: Well-Defined Core Values at Center of Success
Posted
Kirk Doehrmann-
A well-defined set of core values is at the center of any successful organization.
Through our administrative team’s studies we identified five core values: Consistently Put Kids First, Shared Leadership, Differentiated Instruction-Meeting Students at Their Ability Level, Collaboration, and Build Positive Relationships with Stakeholders. These beliefs are not only discussed but lived every day. They guide our decisions as we build relationships with students to better prepare them for life after high school.
At Tippecanoe Valley High School, we have been able to help students and staff move into leadership roles that have benefited the school and community while helping them grow as individuals. This core value, shared leadership, has been instrumental in moving our school forward both academically and socially. By involving teachers and students in key decisions, there is greater chance that they will have buy in to a new program, class or cause.
At Tippecanoe Valley collaboration time has been an instrumental part of providing more opportunities for shared leadership. Two times a week, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the high school, teachers meet in various groups to look at student data or school policy and ways we might be able to support students more effectively.
Relationship building is a key component in any organization, especially one that values shared leadership. Without positive relationships, collaboration would not be nearly as effective. It is through these professional relationships that teachers are able to better communicate the best practices that are going on in their classrooms effectively providing positive reinforcement for improving classroom instruction.
One key component to moving a school forward is professional development. At Tippecanoe Valley we have many experts on staff, particularly in the area of literacy. Adding literacy coaches to our staff in all levels of the corporation has shown a great commitment this area. This also provides experts on staff to help train teachers in strategies to help improve student success in the classroom.
Through shared leadership and a focus on literacy we have been able to move Tippecanoe Valley High School forward and provide opportunities for our students and staff to better themselves, their school and their community. As we continue our quest to provide the best education possible for our students, shared leadership and literacy will continue to be in the forefront of our efforts.
