Transforming School Culture

Commendation Quotes:

"Historically, schools have been bombarded by efforts designed to improve the system in place. These efforts are usually disguised as a new project or program. They usually fail! Teachers see them as a storm that will blow through rather than a long-term and fundamental climatic change. Anthony Muhammad, in Transforming School Culture, Second Edition, has not only shined a light on why such change efforts rarely work -- due to ignoring a school's culture -- but has gone on to describe how school leaders can and should address sustainable cultural change. A must read!"

― Lawrence W. Lezotte, Educational Researcher, Consultant, and Speaker; Effective Schools

"Anthony Muhammad has crafted a superb new edition of Transforming School Culture, adding meaningful, relevant, and insightful new examples, practical wisdom, and important ideas. Initially providing a portrait of the contemporary educational context, he then turns to an in-depth and engaging look at the cultures of schools. Using case examples and clear descriptions of teachers and school cultures, he provides a rich analysis of school leadership and strategies to transform cultures. This is a book to be read and absorbed by any school leader desiring to shape strong, positive cultures."

-- Kent D. Peterson, Emeritus Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"As we've come to expect, Dr. Muhammad is unflinchingly unapologetic regarding the hard truths of school culture. But, once again, he separates himself from so many who take the stage, admire the problems, and offer no solutions. Dr. Muhammad both diagnoses and prescribes. No magic bullet or easy fix, but hope in the form of choices that will shift our paradigms and create transformational results. As he did with the first edition, this second edition of Transforming School Culture awakens you, demands your attention, and then hits you where you live."

― Kenneth C. Williams, Author, Speaker, and Consultant; Unfold the Soul

"The second time around is better than the first. Dr. Muhammad has done it again by reminding us in powerful, impactful ways that a positive school culture is where any type of school success starts. As someone who works with districts across the country in being culturally responsive, I believe this book provokes thought, reflection, and action for the adults to be better so the students can be their best."

-- Sharroky Hollie, Author and Executive Director, Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning, Los Angeles, California

Commendation Quotes:

Historically, schools have been bombarded by efforts designed to improve the system in place. These efforts are usually disguised as a new project or program. They usually fail! Teachers see them as a storm that will blow through rather than a long-term and fundamental climatic change. Anthony Muhammad, in Transforming School Culture, Second Edition, has not only shined a light on why such change efforts rarely work -- due to ignoring a school's culture -- but has gone on to describe how school leaders can and should address sustainable cultural change. A must read!

― Lawrence W. Lezotte, Educational Researcher, Consultant, and Speaker; Effective Schools

Anthony Muhammad has crafted a superb new edition of Transforming School Culture, adding meaningful, relevant, and insightful new examples, practical wisdom, and important ideas. Initially providing a portrait of the contemporary educational context, he then turns to an in-depth and engaging look at the cultures of schools. Using case examples and clear descriptions of teachers and school cultures, he provides a rich analysis of school leadership and strategies to transform cultures. This is a book to be read and absorbed by any school leader desiring to shape strong, positive cultures.

-- Kent D. Peterson, Emeritus Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

As we've come to expect, Dr. Muhammad is unflinchingly unapologetic regarding the hard truths of school culture. But, once again, he separates himself from so many who take the stage, admire the problems, and offer no solutions. Dr. Muhammad both diagnoses and prescribes. No magic bullet or easy fix, but hope in the form of choices that will shift our paradigms and create transformational results. As he did with the first edition, this second edition of Transforming School Culture awakens you, demands your attention, and then hits you where you live.

― Kenneth C. Williams, Author, Speaker, and Consultant; Unfold the Soul

The second time around is better than the first. Dr. Muhammad has done it again by reminding us in powerful, impactful ways that a positive school culture is where any type of school success starts. As someone who works with districts across the country in being culturally responsive, I believe this book provokes thought, reflection, and action for the adults to be better so the students can be their best.

-- Sharroky Hollie, Author and Executive Director, Center for Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning, Los Angeles, California

Publisher Marketing:

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