Shaping School Culture: Pitfalls, Paradoxes, and Promises

by Terrence E Deal, Kent D Peterson
Shaping School Culture: Pitfalls, Paradoxes, and Promises cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Education and Reference
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  • ID: 4094
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781118047583
  • Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
  • Published: 2010-12-28
  • Reviews: 3

Shaping School Culture offers a comprehensive guide for educators looking to create positive and purposeful school environments. The book delves into the latest thinking on organizational culture and change, providing new ideas and strategies for using stories, rituals, and traditions to build a supportive school culture. It also emphasizes the symbolic roles of school leaders, offering practical suggestions for balancing cultural goals with accountability demands. The authors illustrate their points with new and powerful case examples, showing how leaders can transform negative and toxic cultures into ones that promote trust and unity. This revised edition is a must-read for anyone seeking to create lasting change in their school community.

Reviews
LinkedIn · Dr. Ray Boyd · 2025-10-21
trusted 4.25

The book warns about the dangers of not shaping school culture intentionally, leading to toxic environments. It is seen as a crucial guide for building a culture of excellence.

Dr. Ray Boyd's review emphasizes the importance of intentionally shaping school culture to avoid toxic environments. They highlight the book's warnings about the consequences of neglecting this aspect of school leadership. The reviewer appreciates the practical advice and insights provided, noting that the book is a crucial guide for anyone looking to build a culture of excellence in their school. They also mention that the book is well-researched and backed by real-world examples, making it a valuable resource for educators.

Quick quotes

    Deal and Peterson warn that failing to shape school culture intentionally can lead to toxic environments, where resistance to change, low morale...

    The most trusted guide to school culture, updated with current challenges and new solutions.

    Shaping School Culture is the classic guide to exceptional school leadership.

Amazon · 2025-10-21
excellent 4.50

The book is described as an excellent reference with valuable information and material. It is recommended for anyone who cares about school culture.

In this review, the book is highly praised for its comprehensive and valuable information. The reviewer describes it as an excellent reference that anyone concerned with school culture should read. They appreciate the depth of the material presented and the practical insights offered. The reviewer also notes that the book is well-organized and easy to navigate, making it a useful resource for educators and administrators alike.

Quick quotes

    Excellent Reference! ... Excellent information and material presented.

    Anyone who cares about the culture in today's schools should read this book.

    More ...

Goodreads · 2009-03-01
positive 4.00

The book is praised for its practical suggestions on how school leaders can shape culture. It is seen as a valuable resource for understanding the symbolic roles of leaders in education.

This review highlights the book's focus on the practical aspects of shaping school culture, particularly the roles of school leaders. The reviewer appreciates the expanded attention given to the symbolic roles of leaders and the practical suggestions provided. They emphasize that the book is a valuable resource for anyone involved in education, offering insights into how to navigate the complexities of school culture. The reviewer also notes that the book is well-structured and easy to follow, making it accessible for both new and experienced educators.

Quick quotes

    This new edition gives expanded attention to the important symbolic roles of school leaders, including practical suggestions on how leaders can...

    The authors show how school leaders can recognize external pressures for reform while simultaneously tending to their vital leadership role of shaping culture.

    This book provides expert perspective and sage, doable advice for administrators tending to external pressures while sustaining or evolving a more positive...

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