Throughout the HC building, a new initiative of improving staff climate has been assigned by Principal Dr. Franklin after the pandemic changed in-person learning drastically. Associate Principal Chad Carpenter is assigned to the task and is creating a positive work environment among his colleagues on the Climate Committee. This push has been received well at HC and many faculty and staff are thanking Carpenter for his work.
“[Principal Dr. Franklin] asked me to head the culture and climate part of things,” Carpenter said. “The initiatives that we have put into place this year have not been in place in previous years, and we are starting to see a lot more teachers feel comfortable.”
The benefits of the staff include a variety of options. The Climate Committee has been providing food trucks for lunch and personal happy birthday wishes sent out via email. This helps the staff’s relationships with each other. These efforts have added to the chemistry between staff and created a community outside of the specific subject departments. After COVID, there was a noticeable lack of connection between staff, and now Carpenter is trying to rekindle these relationships. Carpenter has received feedback that shows the new climate has been working.
“A teacher came into my office,” Carpenter said, “and she said ‘I just wanted to tell you thank you because I have never had an administrator email me personally thanking me for something that I did’.”
The Climate Committee recognizing our staff personally has acquired a huge appreciation, as they feel valued for their contributions at HC. Carpenter and the Climate Committee want to continue this assignment into the student population at HC.
“They feel that when they come into the building, they are recognized for what they do, which comes down the line to the kids,” Carpenter said. “The students then start to feel the same kind of thing [improved school climate].”
Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) works closely with the student climate part of the school. Biology teacher Elizabeth Inman helps implement student of the month awards which recognise student appreciation.
Altogether, administration being involved with the staff and students creates a more cohesive classroom environment. Carpenter and the Climate Committee have already made an impact, and hope to continue moving forward into students and across the county.
