With foreword by Richard DuFour and Rebecca DuFour

Transforming School Culture provides a school improvement plan for leaders to overcome staff division, improve relationships, and transform toxic school cultures into healthy ones.

Dr. Anthony Muhammad contends that in order to transform school culture, we must understand why teachers continue to hold on to models or beliefs contrary to those put forth by their school or district. He explores the human behavior, social conditions, and history that cause the underlying conflict among the four different types of teachers in a school.

The second edition of this best-selling resource delivers powerful new insight into the four types of educators (Believers, Fundamentalists, Tweeners, and Survivors) and how school leaders can work with each group to create positive school culture. The book also includes Dr. Muhammad's latest research as well as a new chapter dedicated to answering frequently asked questions on culture and school leadership in education.

How this new edition will help you create a positive school culture:

• Study the author's research and observations of 34 schools--11 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, and 9 high schools--and how each school's staff supported or hindered student achievement.
• Consider the characteristics of positive school cultures and how your school's culture and climate may differ.
• Learn how laws such as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and No Child Left Behind ( NCLB) impact teachers and school culture.
• Understand why teachers must work together to improve student performance.
• Obtain tips for creating a positive school culture and producing synergy.

New in This Second Edition:

• An updated research base, including over 60 new references
• Connections to ESSA as well as reflections on NCLB's impact on education
• Additional insights into the four types of educators
• Further guidance on what it takes to be a transformational leader and redirect Fundamentalists through communication, trust, capacity, and accountability
• A new chapter of frequently asked questions in regard to school culture, leadership, and the four types of educators

Teachers today have a window of opportunity to shape education in a way that will impact the profession for generations. In this compelling and comprehensive book, educator and best-selling author Anthony Muhammad explores the educational hurdles of the past in the context of present-day concerns and envisions an education system where all schools energetically embrace the PLC at Work(R) process.

This book will help K-12 educators:

• Reflect on the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on student learning and educator approaches
• Gain insight on what professional learning communities are
• Differentiate between PLC and PLC Lite and understand the role of commitment in an effective PLC
• Apply lessons learned from past challenges in education to present-day concerns
• Determine how to face teacher morale and retention, student trauma and mental health, inequitable funding and accountability systems, and student academic achievement gaps
• Understand the racial, gender, and disability movements of the past

Contents:
Foreword by Robert Eaker
Introduction
Chapter 1: A Moment of Clarity
Chapter 2: The Past--How Did We Get Here?
Chapter 3: The Present--Where Are We Now?
Chapter 4: The Future--Where Do We Go From Here?
Chapter 5: Staying the Course--Are We Implementing PLC Right or PLC Lite?
Afterword
Appendix
References

In Culture Keepers, renowned educator and author Anthony Muhammad compiles essays from leading names in education on how to build and sustain a strong school culture. Contributors provide guidance on how to transform school culture post-pandemic, how to confront staff resistance and chronic absenteeism, and how to address achievement gaps in English learners schoolwide, among other pertinent topics.

K-12 school and district leaders will:

• Understand how to approach school culture transformation post-pandemic
• Identify and confront implicit bias
• Navigate common roadblocks with tried-and-true protocols
• Address staff resistance, chronic absenteeism, and other challenges
• Commit to practices that foster motivation, empathy, and a focus on goals and values

Contents:
Foreword
Chapter 1: Developing Collective Commitment to Mission, Vision, and Values
Chapter 2: Transforming Post-Pandemic School Culture
Chapter 3: Addressing Implicit Bias Using a School Discussion Protocol
Chapter 4: Getting School Boards on Our Side
Chapter 5: Exploring a Leadership Model to Address Chronic Absenteeism
Chapter 6: Using a Four-Step Process to Create a Thriving School Culture
Chapter 7: Starting a PLC and Its Effects on School Culture
Chapter 8: Engaging Adult Learners to Improve Student Outcomes
Chapter 9: Igniting and Sustaining Teacher Motivation
Chapter 10: Responding Collectively to Deficits in English Learner Achievement
Chapter 11: Turning Around a Culture of Complacency
Chapter 12: Fostering a Collaborative Culture Through Differentiated Staff Evaluation

Transformational leaders have four distinctive skills: strong communication, the ability to build trust, the ability to increase the skills of those they lead, and a results orientation. Time for Change offers powerful guidance for those seeking to develop and strengthen the educational leadership skills needed for change management and overcoming resistance to change. Throughout this authoritative guide, Anthony Muhammad and Luis F. Cruz share concrete tools and strategies that will prepare you to lead your school toward lasting, meaningful, and strategic change.

Use this educational leadership book to inspire a shared vision and help in overcoming resistance to change:

Develop an understanding of educational leadership and change management as skills that can be practiced and improved.Consider three questions of transformational leadership-Why? Who? How?-and then Do!Learn about the technical and cultural dimensions of change and the ways in which both must be addressed.Understand the reasons behind resistance to change and how to manage it through effective leadership.Synthesize your skills as a school leader and utilize them to effect strategic change

School improvement begins with self-examination and honest dialogue about socialization, bias, discrimination, and cultural insensitivity. The authors acknowledge both the structural and sociological issues that contribute to low-performing schools and offer multiple tools and strategies to assess and improve classroom management, increase literacy, establish academic vocabulary, and contribute to a healthier school culture.

In this book, leading educator Anthony Muhammad compiles prominent voices in the field, sharing their tried-and-true strategies for building a healthy school culture, beginning with teachers and their collaborative partnerships with one another, parents, and the community at large. With innovative frameworks, personal anecdotes, case studies, and other resourceful tools, readers will be inspired and equipped to champion school culture transformation.

K-12 teachers can use this book to:

• Engage peers and lead initiatives in schools
• Receive innovative frameworks and tools to implement right away
• Learn how to shift from classroom management to classroom leadership
• Collaborate with peers, parents, and the community for most effective outcomes
• Understand how healthy classroom culture motivates students and bolsters teacher morale

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Responding to Peers Who Have Lost Their Way
Chapter 2: Empowering Believers to Speak Up--The Fundamentalist Playbook
Chapter 3: Doing Is Learning--The Power of Project-Based Learning
Chapter 4: Making the Shift From Classroom Management to Classroom Leadership
Chapter 5: Navigating Bias and Building Respect and Trust
Chapter 6: Creating Partnerships With Parents and the Community--Reading Goals and Donut Holes
Chapter 7: Collaborating for Classroom Culture
Chapter 8: Fostering Classroom Cultures to Motivate Learners and Give Hope to Teachers

Ensure learning equality in every classroom. Investigate previous and current policies designed to help close the achievement gap. Examine predominant mindsets that contradict school missions to promote equal academic opportunities, and consider the psychological impact this has on students. Explore strategies for adopting a new mindset that frees educators and students from negative academic performance expectations.

Join Safa the Super Hero God on a fun-filled carnival adventure! When her friend Zoe reaches for sugary treats and greasy snacks, Safa steps in to share her How to Eat to Live wisdom. Together, they discover how healthy choices can be just as delicious and even more energizing. A delightful story about friendship, fun, and fueling your body the right way!