Page 33 - EdViewptsSpring2018-web_Neat

school in general. Our HOUSE pro- (coaching) and teaching. Advisory at
gram was launched in an effort to build our school meets on Wednesday and The most important
student relationships between grade brings small groups of students (10-12 factor in building a
levels and create a “team culture” per group) together with an assigned
throughout our school. All students faculty member (Advisor) who, through “team” culture in a
were divided into eight houses. Each various group discussions and activi- school is getting full
house named after a pillar of charac- ties, helps assist students in achieving buy-in from the faculty
ter and leadership and made up of his or her social, emotional, personal,
students from the 6th, 7th, and 8th and academic goals. Students iden- and staff who will be
grades. Students in each house were tify their strengths and support one your “coaches” called
responsible for designing a flag and another with weakness. As trust is built
motto for their house. Throughout within the groups, student develop on to practice and
the year, HOUSE teams compete empathy and support for one another. promote the programs
against one another for points or Like successful coaches, our teacher being implemented.
“bricks for their house. Activities range advisors work to build relationships
from academic challenges and athletic with students by connecting and car-
competitions to community and service ing for the individual student. This can faculty member who is overseeing these
projects. At the end of the school year, only be achieved by building trust, type of programs, you must continually
houses celebrate with field day, and communicating, and demonstrating a stress to your faculty that the success
the house that has earned the most commitment to the advisory program will not occur overnight. Building positive
“bricks” throughout the year is crowned and the students.The weekly advisory team culture is a process — “Trust the
champion. Their team flag is hung meetings serve as locker room time process.”
outside and flown the following year between a coach and his/her players. Middle School is the perfect time to
until a new champion is crowned. Our When each advisory group begins focus less on the grade and more on
House program has successfully: (1) to “click,” the positive impact of the teaching students how to build rela-
Helped build a team culture and bring program becomes contagious, and a tionships and work as a team to better
“school” and “team” spirit to our school. student commitment to the program themselves and their community. Many
(2) Students across grade levels devel- and school culture takes effect. of the same principals that are used
oped positive relationships and worked The most important factor in building a in sports to make players and teams
collaboratively towards a common “team” culture in a school is getting full successful can be used to build team
goal. (3) Fostered stronger teacher- buy-in from the faculty and staff who will culture within schools. Imagine the
student relationships (teachers serves be your “coaches” called on to practice school culture if an entire student body
as House advisors). All of these result and promote the programs being imple- took joy in rallying together towards a
in a school culture where students feel mented. It is important to involve faculty goal and applauded each member’s
liked and respected by their peers and from the first step of the way. Very rarely successes. Strong teams, not individu-
teachers and are more likely to find in sports has there been a successful als stars, build and deliver the best
success in the school — academically, program that has been controlled from “culture” in schools. By implementing
socially, and behaviorally. the top with no input from coaches. programs like the HOUSE program
Advisory Faculty must feel that their input is im- and advisory groups, students focus on
portant. Team culture is built on commu-
individual strengths, develop team-
The value of student advisory pro- nication and commitment. Faculty must work, learn to collaborate, and learn
grams and their importance on build- know they can communicate their input the importance of trust in their relation-
ing relationships for students is no right from the planning process and ships with each other and teachers.
new breakthrough in education. Look- throughout. The more they are involved These qualities improve learning in the
ing at advisory programs and teacher the more likely they are to take owner- classroom and offer the best chance for
advisors as the “coach” again draws ship and be committed to the programs. continued future growth.
on the parallels that exist with athletics As an administrator, supervisor, or

About the Author

Jim Brown is Principal at Grover Cleveland Middle School in Caldwell, New Jersey. During his 21 years
in education, Mr. Brown has taught English, served as a high school Vice Principal, and as a coach for
football and girls' basketball.

Educational Viewpoints -31- Spring 2018