by Michelle Dwyer
After the pep rally, all the kids went home, and I walked back to my classroom, sat down at my desk, and said out loud to my empty classroom, “What an amazing day!” The reason for my elation? Our newly implemented House System and the way it has changed our middle school culture for the better.
After many years of research and observing how other schools implemented House Systems, Faith Lutheran Middle School has taken the plunge. What is a House System? Do you mean like that popular wizarding novel? Yes! The basic format is that students and teachers are divided equally into Houses which are cleverly named and color coded for maximum school spirit and swag opportunities. Our school created eight Houses based on attributes of the C-R-U-S-A-D-E-R Mindset developed by long time high school teacher, Mark Cheney. Each House has a specific attribute, Latin or Greek name, animal mascot, color, and Bible verse. For example, House Ethos (the best house), abides by the attribute discipline, rocks the color green, and howls at the moon because we’re the wolfpack, and “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).
But this isn’t about me, it’s about you! If you’re still reading this, maybe you’re wondering if a House System is for you and your middle school or high school. I’m making the case that the House System could be a real blessing for you and your school. I know you value positive school culture. You want your students to look forward to coming to school. You want to foster multi-grade connections. You want to facilitate relational ministry. You want students to have a place to belong. You want to energize your staff and empower your teachers. You want to create opportunities for student leadership. Can you do all those things without a House System? Yes, of course, and you probably are already doing them. However, the all-encompassing, culture tidal wave that is a House System can overhaul many areas that need improvement all at once whether you’re in a Middle School or a High School. After all, Middle school kids need all the guidance they can get about how to interact with human beings, and High Schoolers need a reason to crack a smile once in a while. Plus, House leadership positions look great on those college applications!
We have many talented teachers on our staff who have stepped up to the challenge of being House leaders by leading within their gifts. Some lead chants at pep rallies, others create amazing signs and decorate House bulletin boards, some organize team building games, while others bring the PE whistle to the House meeting so we can get 100 kids going the same direction at once. Teachers are great leaders, and the House System gives them another opportunity to share their gifts. Another major improvement I’ve seen is increased engagement from kids who normally fall through the cracks because they just aren’t involved. They don’t play a sport, they aren’t in the band, they have mediocre grades, but now, they are part of the wolfpack. They have a group to which they belong. They have teachers outside of their academic teachers to connect with. They get to interact with different students and have something to talk about. They may have an opportunity to lead an activity during a House Meeting, be the crabwalk champion of a House Competition, or wave the full moon flag at the pep rally. They didn’t have to try out for the team, and they don’t have to prove their worth to be there. No one is grading them. We’re just glad they showed up. I think we’d all benefit from a few minutes at school where the only expectation is that I show up and maybe have a good time.
Overhauling culture is not easy, and a House System does not just come together without a lot of work by a lot of people. However, many schools are posting their resources online to help you get your House System going, and more importantly, once you begin something exciting and delegate properly, students and teachers take off running. If you’re wondering if the work is worth it, I’d give you two enthusiastic thumbs up. You’ll never regret pouring into your culture proactively. One last piece of advice from God: “Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Michelle Dwyer is an English Middle School teacher at Faith Lutheran Middle School in Las Vegas. She is a FACT 3 graduate and can be reached at michelle.dwyer24@gmail.com.