Mission and Vision

This summer I spent a week in Miami, Florida for my first PTC course, Creating and Administering an Effective School. The Principals’ Training Center (PTC) is professional development for international school leaders.

My group consisted of about 40 participants from various international schools. Many are already in administration positions and some were, like me, still teaching in the classroom but aspiring towards international leadership positions.

One of the topics we explored that stood out for me was the idea of a school’s mission, vision, and learning principles.

What is your school’s mission statement? Is it evident on your school’s website? Does it tell readers what you do and whom you serve? Do your staff members know what it is and what it means?

What about your school’s vision, that desired future state? Are decisions that are made in your school in relation to what you hope to become?

Finally, learning principles, those beliefs about learning that are based on research and best practice. Where in your school are those found? Are all decisions based on those to ensure the focus remains on student learning?

These may be helpful questions for you to take back and ask at your school.
As I came back for the start of this school year I met our new Head of School. Her first activity with us….. A hands on discussion regarding our vision. A good place to start I think.

Does your school spend any time on these ideas at the beginning of the year or throughout?