Week 4 CEDO 565 Systems Improvement

This week we had one of the most frustrating experiences that I have had in this Masters of Education - Instructional Technology program. We attempted to emulate a school/district improvement plan. The main problem that we felt utterly flummoxed when every decision ended up with a non-positive result or no movement towards our goals. We were either blocked by administration or by "co-workers" who were not willing to attempt to change anything in order to progress towards a better more effectual teaching and learning environment. The chapter that we read in the book was regarding climate and morale in the work area and how these variables can effect the teaching and learning that can happen in a school. With a positive climate and environment administrators are a positive resource for the classroom teachers, classroom teachers are more willing to try new things and students are more comfortable asking for help and trusting their teachers and the other adults in the building. If there is a negative climate or morale, staff is less willing to help each other, students can not trust their teachers, and administrators are seen as the opponent of both students and teachers. When friction builds up, the workplace does not function well. A school that has a negative climate and morale is exemplified by the picture below.