Learning to Work Together
New Mexico – Based on the country day school model that views school as an extension of family, the students, parents and staff of Sandia Preparatory School come together to form a collaborative team. This independent, non-profit school forges a culture of inclusion in which each employee serves as a teacher, administrator, coach and coordinator.
At Sandia Prep, everyone from the headmaster to the maintenance staff is appreciated and encouraged to provide feedback. New hires are selected from a competitive pool of applicants to fit Sandia Prep’s close-knit, welcoming environment. Once onboard, new employees are introduced during a staff meeting and small group orientations get them up to speed on the schools’ traditions and policies. Active mentoring and an open-door policy also help new hires settle into their job roles. The school’s Web site, several school publications, applied surveys, an activities calendar and school-wide emails help Sandia Prep keep communication flowing.
Faculty, department and all-staff meetings provide multiple forums for employees to discuss changes and developments. Small division meetings grouped by academic department and activity facilitate high levels of participation, help build consensus and present employees with opportunities to develop and demonstrate leadership skills. One practice that highlights Sandia Prep’s inclusive approach to education is a semi-annual meeting during which teachers prepare comments about each student for parent conferences. Teachers are encouraged to share their suggestions and administrators receive a written follow-up report on each conference so that the whole group can address difficulties or celebrate achievements.
Sandia Prep’s shared leadership creates a trusting environment and builds a strong sense of camaraderie. Faculty members enjoy autonomy and independence at Sandia Prep as they manage their classrooms, design and execute their own curriculum and conduct outreach through community service. A high faculty to student ratio of 1:9 makes one-on-one time possible for staff to both interact with students and offer collegial support. At Sandia Prep, the average tenure for employees is twenty years and alumni often return to the school as staff. Sandia Prep’s success comes from a foundation of employee empowerment, which in turn serves as a learning experience for all.