Bottom up model
Conditions for a bottom- up model
1) Motivating
school structure
To get initiative from the basis, to motivate people to do something has to be
intrinsically in the school structure. This attitude can de stimulated by three
factors: freedom of choice, renovation, an eye for capacities. This last factor
has to be mentioned regularly or emphasized by principal or board. (“You would
be good at this”)
2) Confidence-
responsibility
Staff and leadership should work together in trust. Boards have to have
confidence in their teachers, so they – the staff – feel themselves responsible
for the (educational) project.
3) Safety
No one is infallible. The chance something goes wrong within an organization
exists. Teachers shouldn’t be punished because of a possible mistake or oblivion
in the course of the project. If there happens to be a safe environment,
projects can be evaluated honestly and thus people learn from their mistakes.
4) Appreciation
within the process
The board should pay attention to the project, and show interest from time to
time (e.g. being present at certain activities, flexibility within the school
organization).
5) Balance
between benefits and efforts
It’s obvious organizing a project goes together with efforts, but this burden
should remain bearable. On one hand this can be done by increasing the capacity
or reducing the effort. On the other hand one should admit that there are
benefits coming with the project, fully granted to the participants. They have
to provide for the extra energy that lightens the extra work.
6)
Information flow towards the entire staff
New ideas or initiatives can’t be expected from colleagues if one doesn’t inform
them all the time about the progress of the project, and all its achievements.
The fluent information flow to the entire staff should be a lasting topic of
attention.
7)
Top- down correction
To achieve success it is of great importance to have the right person on the
right place. This is something the board should watch over, and hopefully they
are on the right place as they are.
8) Good
relationship
The way in which people are being informed, approached, asked to do something is
of major importance, and this on all levels.