Throughout the course you have learned the importance of collaboration between teachers in an inclusive teaching environment, how each person plays an important role as part of a team effort, and how an array of opinions can be united into one common goal using proactive problem-solving strategies. The same foundational theories can be applied to a larger system when creating a proactive school culture that is fully inclusive, and requires each stakeholder to play an important role in the team and to use proactive problem-solving to avoid potential conflicting situations.

According to Nadine Engels article Principals in Schools With a Positive School Culture (as cited in School Culture Matters, (2013), contributing factors to positive culture include “a shared sense of purpose and values, norms of continuous learning and improvement, collaborative collegial relationships… and sharing experiences” (para. 4). Furthermore, according to chapter eight in Murawski and Spencer (2011), creating a collaborative school culture is akin to writing an IEP, where team members evaluate the school’s present level of performance; create a long-term goal to be reevaluated annually and short term, scaffolded objectives for meeting the long-term goal (p. 139). As Murawski and Spencer (2011) explain, we begin by thinking about where the school is in its current condition as a social culture, the parent/teacher collaboration dynamic, the emotional environment, and overall instructional practices. Then, using proactive problem-solving steps, stakeholders will share perceptions and emotions of their “Collaborative Culture” vision. Using that shared information, the overall issue will be identified (i.e., the long-term goal), and the team will brainstorm ideas for how to accomplish it. Finally, the team will determine how the school’s culture will be improved over a period of time (short term objectives) and each person’s role in the team’s success.

Initial Post – Start by reflecting on all you have learned throughout this course. Then, develop one long term goal in creating a collaborative school culture and four short term objectives that will scaffold to enable your school to achieve that goal. Additionally, explain how the special education team and site administrators will each play a part in your overall goal.