5 People You Cannot Help

Finish the school year strong with 10 proven traditions that boost engagement, build relationships, and strengthen school culture and climate for lasting impact.

Gang, here is a funny truth that may sting a little. Every educator wants to help everyone. We walk into school ready to inspire, motivate, and change lives before lunch. Then reality taps us on the shoulder and says, “Good luck with that.” I laugh because I live it every day, and so do you. There are people in our classrooms, buildings, and meetings who will not move forward, no matter how much energy we put in. That does not mean we quit. It means we get smarter about how we lead, teach, and build culture. Notes: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1l3tvbb_HGtMhgCgrZdAaY2L29_f1dsJZpmOMfBNQqpE/edit?usp=sharing

When the bell rings, the classroom becomes the stage. The teacher becomes the keynote speaker. Students become the audience. As with any keynote presentation, the first moments determine everything. Every teacher gives a keynote speech every single day. What kind of keynote are you giving?

Gang, let me start with a confession. At some point in my career, I thought a strong instructional leader meant carrying a clipboard, walking fast, and using phrases like 'fidelity' and 'data' with a very serious face. If I looked intense enough, learning would increase. Yeah. About that. Students and teachers need more than a serious face and a laminated walkthrough form. They need leaders who shape a culture where great instruction can breathe, stretch, wobble, and grow. Here are five moves every school leader should make right now to achieve better outcomes and healthier climates.

Quit Day usually earns a bad reputation, but I give it a standing ovation. Some things deserve a clean break. In schools, quitting the wrong habits clears space for excellence, respect, and joy. I want to talk about five things we need to quit right now to build a stronger climate and culture.

There are moments in schools when everyone feels something heavy in the room, yet nobody names it. Picture a staff meeting where the energy feels off; you can cut the tension with a knife. People smile, nod, and take notes, but the room feels tight. Outside pressures that walk through the front doors with us every morning. Policies, mandates, and public rhetoric do not stay on paper. They show up in classrooms, hallways, and faculty lounges. Ignoring that reality does not protect culture. It strains it. A difficult conversation needs to happen, and a strong culture depends on our courage to start it. Every school has an elephant in the room. The elephant has no name, and feeding it donuts does not solve the problem. Educators feel pressure from outside forces that question their professionalism, decision-making, and even the value of the work. When leaders avoid this topic, silence fills the gap. Silence breeds frustration, confusion, and distrust.

Every now and then, I meet someone who makes me sit up straight, lean in, and say, “Now this is the good stuff.” That is exactly what happened when I dug into Steve Spangler's work. Many of you know him as the Emmy Award-winning educator with the unforgettable science moments on television. Wild experiments, giant reactions, foam explosions that travel across a football field. Yes, all of that. But what Steve Spangler really teaches goes far deeper than fizz, bubbles, and the occasional flying potato. He teaches engagement. Real, authentic, emotional, and intellectual engagement. His new book, The Engagement Effect, takes that idea and turns it into a blueprint for every educator, administrator, and leader who wants people to show up, lean in, and remember the experience.

Here is the truth: culture does not fall apart overnight. It happens slowly, often because of habits and systems that no one questions. When educators talk about low morale or burnout, they are usually seeing the result of a culture that has cracked over time. So let’s get real and talk about three significant ways schools ruin their culture: inconsistency, lack of recognition, and poor communication. Each one is fixable, but only if we face it honestly and with intention.

Hey gang, Stand Tall Steve here. Let’s be real for a minute. Educators want fresh ideas that work. Too often, we sit around in the staff lounge or in a team meeting brainstorming recognition activities, and the ideas end up feeling forced, stale, or just plain cheesy. Students pick up on that quickly. If the recognition does not hit, then it does not matter. That is why I want to share ten recognition ideas that feel authentic, build positive energy, and have a profound impact on creating a culture students actually want to be part of. These ideas can work in elementary, middle, or high school. They do not require a huge budget, and they focus on recognition that feels meaningful, not manufactured.

I want to have an honest conversation with you about school culture. As educators and leaders, we all want thriving schools where staff and students feel engaged, valued, and inspired. But here is the reality: many schools are stuck operating in compliance mode rather than commitment mode. The difference between the two can make or break your school climate. So let’s take a moment to step back, reflect, and do a culture check.