Where is the Jefferson City School District on the spectrum that extends from a "toxic" culture to a healthy one?
That's a question local public school educators will be asking themselves, and each other, in the aftermath of a presentation Thursday by Anthony Muhammad. He is a former school principal in an impoverished district near Detroit and an author of several books focusing on education.
"Healthy school cultures have different habits than toxic school cultures," he told local teachers.
Muhammad said a toxic environment is characterized by teachers who are isolated, frustrated and inclined to complain.
In contrast, a healthy culture arises from teachers who demonstrate communication, humility and problem-solving.
He encouraged teachers to redefine themselves from "independent contractors" to collaborative, cooperative educators. "Schools are now being measured collectively," he said. "And we're being asked to behave like a group, for the first time in our history."
Muhammad also said frustration and complaining among teachers is destructive. "A frustrated staff is a highly unproductive staff. Frustration is the root of toxic culture. It caused people to deflect blame to others and create covert alliances with people with similar feelings."
As an alternative, he encouraged teachers to reflect on problems and seek solutions. "When you're being reflective," he said, "you are trying to understand the problem, investigate its roots and ask, "Why?' Your thinking is more strategic."
A few observations arise.
First, toxic versus healthy culture is not unique to schools. Fragmentation, frustration and dissatisfaction can cripple any organization, business, government, etc.
Second, from our perspective - admittedly from outside the schools - collaboration and cooperation among educators largely appears to have replaced isolation and independence.
Finally, frustration may indicate a lack of perseverance, but it also may arise when no feasible strategies provide the resources needed to do the job - in this case, educating.
Muhammad's presentation provided some intriguing food for thought.
We welcome local educators to share their reactions.