The Chemistry of Culture

Brain-Based Strategies to Create a Culture of Learning

Jim Warford

This book provides strategies teachers and principals can use to improve the culture of their classroom or school. Strategies are based on discoveries in Neuroscience about how the chemistry of our brain is linked to our relationships. The science highlights the importance of trust in school culture. Our desire and ability to trust each other has been hard-wired into our DNA by evolution. Our ability to work together and teach each other has played a pivotal role in the survival of our species. Building trust can be learned and improved with practice.

It also brings brain research out of the lab and into schools. Readers will learn how to apply these strategies from principals and teachers using them. Readers will learn why culture is too important to be left to chance, and how a positive school culture can be built. Readers will learn how to use these strategies to “bathe brains” in the neurochemicals needed to improve the culture of any school.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 224 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-4758-5163-2 • Hardback • August 2019 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

978-1-4758-5164-9 • Paperback • August 2019 • $56.00 • (£43.00)

978-1-4758-5172-4 • eBook • August 2019 • $53.00 • (£41.00)

Subjects: Education / Educational Psychology, Education / Professional Development, Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General

The Chemistry of Culture

Brain-Based Strategies to Create a Culture of Learning

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

This book provides strategies teachers and principals can use to improve the culture of their classroom or school. Strategies are based on discoveries in Neuroscience about how the chemistry of our brain is linked to our relationships. The science highlights the importance of trust in school culture. Our desire and ability to trust each other has been hard-wired into our DNA by evolution. Our ability to work together and teach each other has played a pivotal role in the survival of our species. Building trust can be learned and improved with practice.

It also brings brain research out of the lab and into schools. Readers will learn how to apply these strategies from principals and teachers using them. Readers will learn why culture is too important to be left to chance, and how a positive school culture can be built. Readers will learn how to use these strategies to “bathe brains” in the neurochemicals needed to improve the culture of any school.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 224 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-1-4758-5163-2 • Hardback • August 2019 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

978-1-4758-5164-9 • Paperback • August 2019 • $56.00 • (£43.00)

978-1-4758-5172-4 • eBook • August 2019 • $53.00 • (£41.00)

Subjects: Education / Educational Psychology, Education / Professional Development, Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General

Author

Jim Warford is Senior Advisor for the International Center for Leadership in Education. He has worked with schools, districts and states nation-wide since 2005. In 2003 he was appointed as Florida’s first-ever K12 Chancellor for public schools.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Dr. Bill Daggett, Founder and Chairman, International Center for Leadership in Education

Preface

Introduction

Part One

Chapter 1: Why Culture Matters

Chapter 2: The Farrington Way: A Culture of A’o

Chapter 3: The Chemistry of Culture

Chapter 4: Emphasize Empathy

Chapter 5: A Mental Model of Culture

Part Two

Chapter 6: Trust in Trust

Chapter 7: Release Control

Chapter 8: Empower Others

Chapter 9: Celebrate Collaboration

Chapter 10: Building Better Relationships

Chapter 11: Exercise Empathy

Chapter 12: Emphasize Empathy

Chapter 13: Blended Learning

Chapter 14: Empowering ELLs

Chapter 15: Classroom Collaboration

Afterword: The Aloha Spirit of the Island

Acknowledgements

Appendix A: Growth Mindset Frayer Model

Appendix B: Empathy Plan

Appendix C: The Culture Framework®

Appendix D: The Rigor/Relevance Framework®

Appendix E: The Successful Practices Network

Appendix F: 20 Day Trust Building Action Plan

Appendix G: Trust Self-Reflection Guide

Appendix H: Teacher Leadership Cadre Application

Appendix I: Teacher Leadership Cadre Meeting Norms

Appendix J: Teacher Leadership Cadre Roles and Responsibilities

Appendix K: Teacher Leadership Cadre Relationship Activities

Appendix L: Teacher Leadership Cadre Working Styles Assessment

Appendix M: Teacher Leadership Cadre Make-up Activity

Appendix N: Teacher Leadership Cadre Make-up Activity

Appendix O: Collaboration Rubric

Bibliography

About the Author

Reviews

Charting his own journey through his career in education, first as an educator in Hawaii and later as an international leader in education, Warford highlights culture as critically important to the educational process. He introduces the reader to the Hawaiian model of teaching and learning, captured by the concept of A’o, according to which learning is shared between teacher and student. Warford takes Farrington High School, one of the most diverse and poorest schools in Hawaii, as a case study to explore "a school filled with A’o." The book blends theory with practical exercises for educators on such topics as culture, empathy, trust, collaboration, empowerment, pre-forgiveness, building a positive culture, and working with English language learners. . . overall this volume offers good information, useful ideas, and helpful tools for educators. This reviewer appreciated the refreshingly holistic approach to education. . . Recommended for undergraduate and community college libraries. Summing Up: Recommended. All undergraduates.

— Choice Reviews

The Chemistry of Culture provides specifics on how Farrington High School in Hawaii has been so successful at creating such an innovative culture. That success has propelled Farrington to being named a National Model School for three years in a row. Located in one of Honolulu’s poorest and most diverse neighborhoods, Farrington has created a culture of trust, empowerment, and collaboration through its teacher-led effort.
— Dr. Bill Daggett, Founder and Chairman, International Center for Leadership in Education

Jim Warford understands the impact of culture on learning, and The Chemistry of Culture connects it to discoveries in neuroscience about the chemistry of the brain. Jim is a practical professional who turns theory into practices and strategies we can all use to generate positive results for learners. His stories are real and his strategies powerful.
— Raymond J. McNulty, President, Successful Practices Network

The Chemistry of Culture is the blueprint for analyzing the relationship between neuroscience and next steps in rapidly improving schools. What happens when practitioners and leaders understand the relationship between cognition and culture? The answer is...results!
— Weston Kieschnick, International Center for Leadership in Education Senior Fellow and Best-Selling Author of Bold School