Habits of Mind are plainly exhibited on the walls, in the corridors, and
along the stairways. (See Chapters 20 and 21 for accounts of each of these
schools, respectively.) Each class at Waikiki School develops a logo and
a slogan for the “mindful” school. The school votes on which should be
selected as the logo and slogan for the year and then has them imprinted
on T-shirts. “We’re Training Our Brains” is the motto on buttons proudly
produced, sold, and worn by the special education students at Jamestown
Elementary School in Pennsylvania. Many schools send home calendars,
awards, reminders, and newsletters informing parents and others of the
school’s intent and ways that they can engage children’s intellect.
Leadership
Some people think that it is holding on that makes one strong.
Sometimes it is letting go.
—Sylvia RobinsonShared identity and beliefs provide direction for an organization without
the control that is often characterized as uniformity. Instead, the orga-
nization has a pervasive consistency about what is important, which
allows for a high degree of individuality to be expressed. The leaders of
such organizations must infuse, articulate, and weave the Habits of Mind
into the vision, values, and purposes—the very fiber of the organization—
and they must live the habits. In most schools that have succeeded in
implementing the Habits of Mind, someone volunteers or is chosen to
be a “cheerleader” for the habits. It might be an administrator, a depart-
ment chair, a mentor teacher, a resource teacher, or other staff member.
Preferably it is a team of such staff members. The individual or team
assumes such responsibilities as coaching staff members in lesson design,
communicating with parents, orienting new staff members, conducting
action research, collecting archives of lessons infused with the Habits of
Mind, organizing and providing professional development, gathering
and organizing instructional materials, leading literature circles, facili-
tating Habits of Mind discussion groups, and contributing to the school’s
We b s i t e.
Creating a Culture of Mindfulness 275