Culture+of+AISK



An organization’s culture can be defined as “the core beliefs and values that are shared by the organization’s members, that guide their actions in its behalf and define their expectations about the actions of those around them.” (Beach, 2006) These beliefs can be stated or unstated. At AISK, some of the unstated beliefs are the most powerful and have been influenced by our troubled financial past. **//All teachers are expected to market the school. //** We must participate in Parent’s Week and welcome all parents and prospective parents into a class that the teacher’s prepare just for them in an effort to showcase the AISK difference. Many of us have gone to local schools to talk to prospective students and some have participated in the scholarship committee, which goes through over 100 applications for scholarships at AISK all in an effort to market the school. For clarification purposes, the scholarships are not granted based on financial need or even with consideration to financial need. These scholarships are merit based solely and often it is precisely the most privileged that possess the qualities we are looking for: grades and class ranking, high standardized test scores, and to a lesser extent leadership skills and ability to express oneself clearly in an interview. We all know that in order to maintain our jobs, the school must continue to grow. Marketing is part of our job.

//**Another element of the school’s culture is the transient nature of the stakeholders**//. Most of the administration and many of the teachers and students will only be at AISK for a few years. They come, make their mark and leave. In many ways this is beneficial to those that stay (Wallace) as we benefit from a variety of perspectives and differing expertise. However, it is sometimes difficult to formalize change if the team implementing the change keeps shifting.

“A unified culture means that, to some degree, everyone in the organization sees things in the same way because they share the same set of beliefs.” (Beach, 2006) **//We are unified in our belief that an international community is desirable and appealing to the Jamaican clientele we are hoping to entice//**. Also, we have //**embraced technology and developed a 1:1 laptop program**// for the middle and high school students. We use technology to communicate with parents, students and teachers at all times. Technology objectives are woven into interdisciplinary unit plans and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme demonstrates our commitment to our culture of internationalism.

The leaders that gravitate to AISK do not come here for the love of Jamaica, although most enjoy their time here. They do not tend to care about competing in the local market and are often frustrated by these efforts. They come to be a part of the stated goals of our school: empowerment of critical and creative thinkers, socially responsible student body, emphasis on technology and internationalism. The leadership often comes to AISK as a stepping-stone in their career to lead international schools around the world. We are small and starting out and those that are just beginning their administrative careers tend to come here. Unfortunately, some have limited managerial and leadership skills as we are the training ground. But, they are eager to make a difference.

//**The conflicts and opposing forces in our culture are definitely a hindrance to our development. However, they are all understandable and perhaps even necessary. As the school reaches a level of financially sustainability, I believe the culture of the school will once again unify. Until then, we will all have to wear a variety of hats if we want our school to remain a viable option in Jamaica. **//