BUILDING A CULTURE

 

“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and soul of its people”- Mahatma Gandhi

 

Many years back, when I had been to Thailand on a holiday, wherever I went for shopping, everybody welcomed me with a namaste. I was so impressed, especially because the entire country had a similar practice. It was unique to that country. Culture, is a common meeting ground for people from diverse backgrounds. Culture is inherent to a family, an organization, to society and to a country at large. This is what binds us together. This is what unifies us. This creates greater understanding in a family, synergy in a work place, and showcases the strength of an organization and the uniqueness of a country.

 

Take a family, for example. Love, mutual respect, hospitality, kindness, compassion, integrity, etc, or the lack of it, is also part of a family culture. The elders in the family, generation after generation, hand over the family culture. They are the ones who are responsible for maintaining the right culture in the family. Growing up children follow the culture. So, we have to make sure that the basic culture of the family does not disintegrate. No two families are alike. Each one is unique. A healthy family culture aids in the bringing together of all the family members, from different generations and in building fond memories. Sometimes, the negativity and wrong attitude of family heads rubs off on the younger generation. At any time if it is found that the family culture, is not good, we can still intentionally create a family culture, to offset the negative influence. Family culture can be created through values, family habits, family rituals and traditions, creating a family legacy. Building a positive culture in a family is the responsibility of the parents in a nuclear family and it has a great bearing on the children they send into the world.

 

“The family is both, the fundamental unit of society as well as the basic root of culture,”

 

It is true of any organization as well. Especially in a school, it is vital to build a great culture. If all the teachers in a school can have a similar outlook, approach, value system, discipline, attitude, and follow the code of conduct prescribed by the school, it will have a great impact on the students. It calls for a lot of self-discipline and will power to be consistent in our actions. It is a mindset though. Nothing is difficult if we set our mind on it. To create a positive climate, to be a good listener,  to get students into the habit of being regular in their work, to insist on good handwriting and neat presentation, to motivate them to set a target for the year, to strive to achieve it, to instill in them the value of honesty, to help them schedule  fixed hours of studies every day, to provide a child friendly and caring environment, to build confidence in students, to earn their trust, to be unbiased, to approach all matters professionally, to be kind to the students, yet firm in matters where we cannot allow them to have a choice, to build a beautiful rapport with the students, to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of students, to identify their strengths and work on their weaknesses, in short, mentor them, lead them by example and thereby establish a purpose and build a great school culture, which  is imminent to the healthy growth of every child. The school environment is thus created by the teachers.

 

“As teachers, we have the opportunity to foster positive changes to the every day experience in our schools. Investing time in improving school culture is worth the effort.”

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting