The Importance and Challenges of Ensuring an 

Inclusive School Climate

by R. Zeckzer

    The goal of any school is to educate our future doctors, lawyers, teachers, and workers, and we can do that by promoting an inclusive, positive school environment.  As with any business, success starts at the top, with management, and trickles down to all the employees and the "customers" being served.  In education, it starts with the superintendent and trickles down to the principal, teachers, and every classified employee, and it is the students who reap the benefits. 

    While "school climate is essential for fostering a positive school culture where all students and staff feel valued and supported" (Townley & Schmieder-Ramirez, 2019), " principals are key change agents in the efforts to improve school climate."  (Kraft & Falken, 2020).  When the administration makes personal connections - with parents, students, and staff - people feel valued.  It is just as important for the principal to make personal connections and support their staff while striving to fulfill the district's vision - when they do, they will have a happy staff willing to "go the extra mile."  My district's morale has steadily declined over the last 7 years.         

    In my district, we had a superintendent who did not care about her employees; she continually put herself and her needs above everyone.  She was finally replaced 2 years ago, but building trust between the superintendent and the staff took a while.  At my site, we have been going through principals quickly.  In the last six years, we have had five principals.  We will have a sixth principal for the 2025-26 school year.  Unfortunately, the last two did not understand our district, students, or the staff.  While I work with excellent teachers dedicated to their students, they are not willing to do anything extra because they do not feel valued or supported.  Since "teachers develop skills faster and improve student learning" (Kraft & Falken, 2020), it is critical that we hire a principal that can foster a sense of community and support among the staff while promoting high academic standards - for staff and students. 
     

    Most adults and children are social beings, and we are all more "open" to learning when we have positive relationships.  To promote the best learning experience possible, schools must be inclusive and provide a welcoming learning environment where students learn to work respectfully with diverse individuals.  (Brown, 2019).  In my district, we have a high minority rate and many students with special needs.  We do a good job teaching students to be accepting, kind, and helpful people, and our elementary students are happy.

     One of our challenges is high teacher turnover rates, which means continually training new, inexperienced teachers.  We also have a large percentage of parents who struggle to help their children because they do not speak English.  To help our ESL students, we provide push-in, limited pull-out, and after-school support.  "A school climate that embraces inclusivity can significantly enhance student outcomes, as it fosters a sense of safety and belonging among all students."  (Brown, 2019).  Our district has a diverse group of students, parents, and staff.  We have always felt like a family and supported one another; now, we must find a leader who understands our population and staff needs.       

                               
    As with any successful organization, "an effective school climate provides an environment in which students and teachers feel comfortable working toward their goals."  (Townley & Schmieder-Ramirez, pg. 89).

 

References:

Brown, C. S. (2019). The Importance, and the Challenges, to Ensuring an Inclusive School Climate. Educational Psychologist, 54(4), 322–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2019.1655646

Kraft, M. A., & Falken, G. T. (2020, May). Why School Climate Matters for Teachers and Students. Google Drive. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I4WYJLCjLxg0cMxoqVgUy8YFVf0svuFY/viewLinks to an external site.

Townley, A. J., & Schmieder-Ramirez, J. H. (2019). School Personnel Administration: A California Perspective (10th ed.). Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.