Who are stakeholders? What do they think about culturally-sensitive environment?

1. General introduction of my school.

       I have been teaching at a public high school in southern California. According to its 2019-2020 School Accountability Report Card (SARC), out of 1,635 students, 95.2% are Hispanic or Latino, 3.9% African Americans, 0.4% White, 0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 0.1% Asian. 93.2% are Socioeconomically Disadvantaged, 17.5% English Learners, 11.9% Students with Disabilities, 4% homeless, and 0.7% Foster Youth. One of the real situations in my school environment is that it would be better if students are exposed to more cultures. There are various reasons for this situation, such as the dominant Hispanic or Latino culture, disadvantaged socioeconomic condition, family issues, and the pandemic. My hypothesis is through communication with stakeholders, we can jointly increase students’ cultural awareness.      

2. Who are stakeholders?

The clientele and stakeholders are the ones who invest in the success of students of my school, including administrators, teachers, parents, school district, community members, church, and business. Stakeholders work closely for students, for example we jointly develop school-wide approaches involving all staff to improve attendance due to large numbers and truancies impacting the learning process.  

3. What does culturally-diverse environment mean to stakeholders?

       I interviewed stakeholders regarding their perception of the culturally-sensitive environment. Their feedback makes me realize we need to work together to motivate students and promote a successful culturally-diverse school climate. It is interesting to find the similarities and differences of the perception of a culturally-sensitive environment from different stakeholders. As the below chart shows, the assistant superintendent, principal, director of human resources, instructional coach, psychologist, teacher, student, and parents/guardians all think the culturally-sensitive environment should be inclusive to all people from diverse backgrounds. However, a teacher argued that sensitivity to the diverse culture can be a “two-edged sword”. I discussed it with her and found she thinks sometimes people are too sensitive to other people’s opinions and that can cause many unnecessary troubles. I agree with her that a balanced cultural sensitivity with mutual respect is helpful for the learning and working environment. I also noticed that parents/guardians would like to list the detailed case such as they hope the school will require students to wear uniforms, inform them about children’s attendance daily, and hold workshops for parents. It is essential for me to hear their voice and see the detailed needs. I will share it with my principal to find ways of offering them with needed support. 

	Stakeholders	The perception of a culturally-sensitive environment
1	Assistant superintendent	The culturally-sensitive environment values and promotes diversity and cultures.
2	Principal	The culturally-sensitive environment should be inclusive and equitable to all students from different races, ethnicities, gender identification, sexuality, etc. Differences should not be ignored.
3	Director of Human Resources	The culturally-sensitive environment is inclusive to everyone who are from different races, genders, and backgrounds.  It is a safe learning environment for both students and teachers.  Cultural sensitivity is being able to meet the needs of all the diverse students in a school socially, academically and emotionally. It provides an environment where everyone can successfully achieve their best.
4	Instructional coach	Holidays and celebrations could be starting points to recognize cultural diversity.
5	Clinical psychologist	The culturally-sensitive environment provides an equal opportunity for all students to succeed regardless of their faith, beliefs, background, upbringing, language, gender, or unique learning styles or needs.
6	Teachers	A culturally sensitive environment exists in any country. But it is more prominent in the diversified United States. This is a double-edged sword. Diversity gives us the chance to learn about multiple cultures. The culturally sensitive environment is good for us to be asked to stay sensitive at all times to offer the equal and diversified opportunities for kids to study at the school, and people to work at the company. At the same time, the environment becomes more sensitive than usual. We must always pay attention and be careful not to touch the taboos of other cultures. We should show our respect to others, but in daily work, study, and life, a common trivial matter may be magnified into an abnormally serious event. Also it is necessary to distinguish which seemingly inadvertent pranks are actually caused by disrespect for this culture. It is the other edge of the sword.        The principal must be cautious in his/her words and deeds at all times, respecting all cultures, and avoiding huge culturally sensitive events that may be caused by a momentary negligence.
7	Student	The culturally-sensitive environment should be a diverse school site. I feel that schools should make posters and flyers on how the school is supporting different races.
8	Parents/Guardians	The culturally-sensitive environment should be aware of the existence of the cultural differences or similarities among each other. Teachers and students in this environment should be able to freely express their interest in the ethnic background. People should get to know others.        Having a healthy environment, with respect and tolerance for all cultures or traditions, is a harmonious lifestyle.        The school should have a workshop that shares the importance of diversity. Parents should talk with our children about the diversity of cultures and respect them so the students will also have that acceptance.        As a parent, it is very important that school requires students to wear uniform to avoid or decrease bullies on clothes and help students concentrate on study.

       I also interviewed the director of the human resources department, in my school district, about how to address school culture and the implementation of change in diverse learning environments. He states “Hiring individuals that understand the community they serve and providing professional development for all staff to promote culturally responsiveness and understanding implicit bias”. In addition, the human resources department works with principals in what they can require teachers teaching in a diverse learning environment. In order to improve the school, the change should start from the teachers in the classroom.

Resources: 

2019-2020 School Accountability Report Card (SARC).

What is Gallup Q12? What are the most important elements in establishing a healthy school culture?

        Do you know what is expected of you at work? Do you have the materials you need to teach? What makes you feel your work is important? Who is your best friend at school?... Reflecting on these questions helps us establish the sense of belonging and engagement at work.

It is a great opportunity to learn the Gallup Q12 Employee Engagement Survey which provides effective questions to measure employee engagement. As a future administrator, I will frequently review it as the framework to understand what teachers need most to perform at their best and handle the issues that matter the most to performance outcomes.  The link of the Q12 Employee Engagement Survey is https://www.gallup.com/access/323333/q12-employee-engagement-survey.aspx

      These Q12 are all essential in establishing a healthy school culture. I found “Q07 At work, my opinions seem to count” is particularly important. As Dr. Harter (2020) states in the video, of the Q12 Employee Engagement Survey, that opinion counting is one of the most difficult elements to get right. As its foundation, it is about listening. Conversation is simple but not easy. It takes practice to hold a highly effective and interactive two-way conversation throughout the coaching. One of the core conversational skills is listening. I am a listener, but I need to learn how to listen to truly understand the factual information and the value behind it. Teachers are the educators who are close to students and have better understanding of students’ background and needs. It is impossible for an administrator to know everything teachers know. Therefore, it is crucial to invite and encourage teachers to have their voices and opinions heard to be part of the process of making decisions to provide students a better learning environment and school culture with equity. The link of Harter's video of "How Listening to Employees' Opinions Can Grow Engagement" is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DAX9tMn5Xw

       In my opinion, another most important key element to establish a healthy school culture is “Q08: The mission purpose of my company makes me feel my job is important.” As Harter (2020) advocates in the video (see the following) during tough times when people can see how their work connects to something bigger, they might become more resilient. Most teachers, including myself, are busy with our own teaching tasks without connecting to a bigger purpose, such as the school or school district’s mission. As a future administrator, I will think deeply for a meaningful school mission to foster the staff connecting their work to the school mission. I will also keep in mind what  Harter (2020) reminds the administrators to make the mission simple enough for everyone to remember. Harter (2020) and Q12 Employee Engagement Survey all mention that many leaders think that putting the organization's mission statement on a wall is enough for employees to feel this connection. It is not. Leaders must ensure that the organization's mission and purpose are clear and aligned with the employee experience. The link of Harter's video of "How to Connect Your Employee's Role to the Company's Mission" is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7Cx49nr5v8&t=4s

In addition, Rebore (2015) points out Generation Y teachers and principals are seriously and intensely involved in communicating by electronic means such as cell phones, text messaging, email, and Websites. In order to provide teachers with various ways of sharing their experience of how to connect their work with the school mission, I can have this endeavor conducted during the staff meeting, workshop, email, Google-form and other possible electronic means. Helping teachers connect their work to the school mission can help create, promote, and maintain a healthy school culture in which teachers can see clearly the importance of their work and enjoy their personal achievement in a larger vision. 

What are the most important components, in your opinions, in establishing a healthy school culture? And why?

Resources:

Harter, J. 2020. How Listening to Employees' Opinions Can Grow Engagement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DAX9tMn5Xw

Harter, J. 2020. How to Connect Your Employee's Role to the Company Mission.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7Cx49nr5v8&t=4s

Q12 Employee Engagement Survey 

https://www.gallup.com/access/323333/q12-employee-engagement-survey.aspx

Rebore, R. 2015. Human Resources Administration in Education, Pearson