Welcome back to the School Climate and Culture, your platform for professional growth and community development! We are ready to jump into a new season to deliver helpful content for educators and administrators.

The start of a new school year brings a mix of emotions. Excitement. Nervousness. Exhaustion. That final bell of the previous year felt like a sprint across a marathon finish line. Now we find ourselves gearing up once again. But before the pressure of pacing guides and testing windows take over, we must recognize the true power we hold right now: the power to set the culture.

I am talking about authentic school culture. Not just school-wide climate, but the smaller cultures that exist in every classroom, hallway, cafeteria, and office. Administrators guide the tone. Teachers shape the experience. Custodians, lunch staff, and support teams contribute daily. Culture is not a slogan on the wall. Culture is the repetition of behaviors, values, and attitudes we expect and demonstrate every single day.

Start Strong, Stay Consistent

 People remember how things begin and how things end. That is the Alpha and the Omega. You need to launch the school year with clarity and confidence. Too often, I hear teams say, “Oh, everyone knows how we do things here.” No, they do not. People forget. Students forget. Teachers forget. Parents forget. Culture must be reestablished clearly and positively.

For teachers, this means Day One should feel like a living experience of your expectations. Instead of lecturing on the rules, show students how your classroom works. Use the EDGE method: Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable. Do not just talk about procedures, act them out. Let students experience what you want to see. When you do this, you increase the probability of success. It takes more time up front, but it saves you time all year long.

Define and Live Your Big Three

Every classroom, school, or district must define what it truly respects and values. I encourage educators to select their “Big Three.” Pick three words that reflect the culture you want. Words like respect, perseverance, and kindness. Talk about them constantly. Post them everywhere. When you see students demonstrating those values, pause and point it out. “That shows respect. That is who we are.”

Don’t make it complicated. Schools or teachers can include their Big Three in the header or footer of every worksheet or handout. Let it live on your smartboard. Put it in your sub plans. When you repeat these words often, you create a tradition, and tradition becomes culture.

Relationship First, Always

Before the curriculum comes relationships. Students will not work for someone they do not trust. Do not ask them to write about their summer or fill out another “All About Me” sheet. Some students did not have a great summer. Some do not want to talk about themselves right away.

Instead, create low-pressure experiences. Have a snowball fight with paper. Build something out of Play-Doh. Engage in activities where everyone participates equally. These activities let you learn about your students and them learn about each other. Start with fun. Start with connection. Build that family feeling right away, and the learning will come.

Keep the Momentum Going

As the weeks go by, do not let the culture fade. Revisit it after breaks. After winter break, host a “State of the Union” with the school. Gather in the gym and reinforce values. Make it fun like a game show. It brings joy and resets our focus.

Keep involving everyone. Co-teachers, substitutes, and support staff should all know what the Big Three are. Say them. Model them. Celebrate them. Yes, you may sound like a broken record. That is the point. Repetition creates results, and the power is in the repetition.

This Year, Choose Culture

Educators, you have the chance to build something powerful this year. Do not wait for October. Start on Day One. Anchor your classroom in what you value. Use experiences. Build relationships. Set expectations and reinforce them again and again. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Tune into the School Climate and Culture Show podcast for more tools and encouragement all year long.

So, sharpen your pencils. Charge your laptop. Smile as the buses roll in. It is time. 

Back to school.

Back to culture.

Let’s go.

NEW Podcast Sponsor: Within Our Ranks

We are proud to announce that this episode is sponsored by Within Our Ranks, a dynamic program created for teachers and administrators who want to become educational speakers, trainers, or consultants. If you have a voice, message, or passion to share beyond the walls of your classroom or school, this is the program for you.

Want to lead breakout sessions, keynotes, or create impactful professional development? You do not need to figure it out alone. Join a supportive network of educators who also want to grow, serve, and inspire. Founded by an NSA Certified Professional Speaker, Within Our Ranks provides expert guidance, community, and real opportunities to help you step confidently into the world of educational consulting with the guidance of coaches and me. Participants refine their message, grow their speaking skills, and learn the business side of becoming a professional educator or speaker beyond the classroom.

The next Within Our Ranks retreat takes place in San Antonio, Texas, this November. It is the perfect launch point for your next chapter.

Learn more at WithinOurRanks.com or schedule a discovery call with Meg. 

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Administrators, are you ready to ignite a transformation in your district? 'Ideas, Ideas, Ideas' keynote is a powerful catalyst for change. I understand the everyday challenges educators face, and I equip staff with simple, energizing ideas they can implement immediately. From creative staff motivation techniques to student engagement strategies that actually work, my session provides a toolbox of ideas designed to improve school climate and culture right away.

This keynote helps shift the mindset from surviving to thriving. I bring humor, inspiration, and clarity while guiding educators toward meaningful change through purposeful choices. I speak directly to teachers, administrators, and support staff, encouraging them to take small steps that lead to big results. Schools do not need a massive overhaul to feel more connected, supportive, and inspired: they just need the right ideas at the right time. I deliver with energy, empathy, and real-world experiences that resonate at every level. Let’s connect. Schedule a call with me! 

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Looking to start the school year with purpose, excitement, and clarity? You need ElevatED Educator. Our book offers practical tools, real classroom examples, and over 70 ideas for creating learning experiences that engage students from day one. It guides teachers in building classroom climate and culture through intentional content integration and multiple learning pathways (music, movement, storytelling, visual arts, and more). Rather than relying on outdated rule lists or routines, ElevatED Educator helps educators design purposeful activities that set clear expectations, spark curiosity, and encourage student ownership. Teachers leave each chapter feeling inspired and ready to implement new strategies that support both academic growth and social connection. Administrators will also find this book valuable as a shared resource for professional learning communities or staff development. To bring energy and focus into your classroom or school, order your copy today at Amazon.