The Heartwork of Culture BuildingBy Garrett Sheskey, Summit View Integrated Arts Elementary School, School District of Waukesha Creating a culture that students want to learn in, staff want to work in, and families want to be a part of is the “heartwork” that school leaders step into, embrace, stress over, celebrate and live out. This journey is full of trials and tribulations, yet one that holds the promise of profoundly impacting every student and adult. As leaders, we are tasked with not just managing a building but cultivating an environment where every individual feels seen, valued, and believed in. This is the heart of a "culturized" school, a place where the work is guided by the unwavering belief that every student deserves our best everyday. The first and perhaps most critical trial is truly becoming a champion for students. Jimmy Casas, author of Culturize writes about how this goes beyond simple advocacy; it's about actively dismantling the labels. “Unleashing true potential begins by removing the labels that hold children hostage.” It’s a daily grapple to challenge our own biases and those of our staff, to see past a student’s behavior to their potential, and to consistently hold belief in them. The tribulation lies in the moments when this belief is tested—when a student’s choices defy our efforts or negativity from a colleague threatens to undermine the work. Yet, the reward is in the transformation: seeing a student who was once defined by their struggles begin to grow because they have someone in their corner. Along with championing students is the equally difficult task of "expecting excellence." This is a continuous journey for both ourselves and our staff. It requires us to move from simply "investing" to actively "reinvesting" in our work, to choose "reflection over deflection," and to "act rather than react." The trial is in the constant pressure to maintain high standards for all, even in the face of setbacks and systemic obstacles. It’s the late nights, the tough conversations, and the moments of self-doubt. The tribulation is accepting that not every success is permanent and not every misstep is the end. However, by modeling a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement, we inspire our entire school community to rise to the occasion and embrace the process of becoming better every day. Finally, the greatest test of a school leader is to be a "merchant of hope." In an era of increasing pressures and complexities, it is easy to become overwhelmed by doubt, negativity, and despair. The trial is in finding the strength to remain optimistic and to spread that hope into the lives of others, even when we feel drained. It’s in the small, daily acts of modeling empathy, valuing mistakes as learning opportunities, and finding time for a genuine smile or laugh with a student or colleague. This is a difficult path, but it is also the most rewarding. By choosing to believe in the potential of every person in our school, we build a culture where hope is the currency, and every challenge is seen not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to serve and inspire a better tomorrow.
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