ABSTRACT
Rituals and Ceremonies- These provide structure to our daily life and to the routine of a school. The culture of a school is a powerful tool for shaping the behavior of those who work there because it reflects the important values and underlying assumptions of that school. Culture is a powerful set of rituals, traditions, and practices that are often transmitted without question from generation to generation. In every school, teachers, parents, students, and administrators tell stories about memorable people or events. It's important to reward teachers who are leading or supporting increased levels of rigor. Many leaders recognize the power of a school's culture to shape the patterns of behavior and the interaction between teachers and students, and between teachers and administrators. Successful school leaders recognize the power of words to shape culture. Every school has a culture and it is a powerful tool for shaping the behavior of those who work at and attend the school.
