Hey gang, let’s get real for a moment. Everyone in education shows up to school with a reason for being there. Some come for a job. Some build a career. Some live a calling. How we identify our work shapes how we show up, how we treat others, and how our school feels each day. That choice influences climate and culture more than any program or initiative ever will.

It’s time for a culture audit.

A Job: What You Do

A job is a signed contract that pays the bills. A job answers the question, “What do I need to finish today?” There is nothing wrong with a job. Every one of us needs stability. But job mode centers on survival, not growth.

When a school fills with job energy, culture begins to feel flat. People focus on the minimum. Students sense it right away. Learners of any age know when adults work from a checklist instead of a purpose. Meetings feel heavy, laughter grows rare, and collaboration feels forced.

Here is the truth. A job mindset often asks, “How fast can I leave?” and that question drains the climate faster than a popped balloon at a pep rally.

A Career: What You Build

A career shifts the focus and grows over time. A career invites learning, reflection, and skill. Career-minded educators seek opportunity as well as responsibility. They ask, “How can I grow?” and “What comes next?”

Career energy raises culture. People invest in improvement and care about progress. Teams share ideas. Schools feel movement. Yet, even a career can still focus on position, status, and advancement.

Career mode adds power to culture, but it does not always add soul.

A Calling: What You Live

A calling runs deeper. A calling ties to purpose, passion, and inspiration. A calling answers the question, “Why does this work matter?” It does not depend on a title. It depends on impact.

Calling energy changes everything. Students feel it. Colleagues feel it. Families feel it. When one educator lives with a sense of calling, the room changes. When many adults live with that energy, the school shifts in powerful ways.

Here’s a truth that may hit home. Burnout does not always come from fatigue. At times, burnout grows from misalignment. When work feels empty, even small stresses feel heavy. When work feels meaningful, people endure challenges with strength and resilience.

Why This Matters for Climate and Culture

Climate reflects how a school feels each day. Culture reflects how people act each day. Those two grow from an adult mindset.

Job mindset often leads to compliance.
Career mindset often leads to progress.
Calling mindset leads to commitment.

Students know the difference. The same students who spot your new haircut or different eyeshadow can easily read tone, body language, and effort. They sense when adults care with heart and purpose. A school shifts when enough people choose purpose.

The Culture Audit

Here is the question I leave with you today. Which lane do you drive in most days? Job, career, or calling?

Your answer shapes how your district, school, or classroom feels. If your culture feels low, do a culture audit. Don’t rush to buy a new program. Look at the mindset first. Purpose fuels performance. Passion fuels persistence.

You may enter education through a job. You may grow through a career. But when you live a calling, you change lives.

And that, my friends, is how schools Stand Tall.

Ten Minute Classroom Openers

 Do you want to transform your classroom into a lively, engaging, and connected space in five to ten minutes? 

Picture this: You walk into your classroom, a room filled with eager students. You want to avoid diving straight into the day's lesson; you want to set the tone, create a positive atmosphere, and build critical student-teacher relationships. But how do you do that in just five to ten minutes?

Ten Minute Classroom Openers is a game-changer. Co-authored by Steve and Tina Dietrich, a seasoned counselor, this book is a treasure chest of brilliant classroom ideas. It's your secret weapon for nurturing a welcoming, inclusive, and exciting classroom environment. It is packed with quick, fun, and interactive activities that you can effortlessly incorporate at the beginning of each class. They are designed to help everyone settle in, focus, and be ready to learn. Foster that all-important connection between you and your students.

And here's the best part: this book is incredibly user-friendly. The font size is large, so you won't need your reading glasses. You can simply open it, read an activity, and immediately engage your students. It's like having a classroom transformation at your fingertips. These openers warm up hearts and minds. Create a classroom culture where students feel valued, engaged, and excited to learn.

So, if you're ready to make your classroom the kind of place where students can't wait to come and learn, you need to get your hands on "Ten Minute Classroom Openers." It's available on Amazon, and YouthLite has ensured it's easy to access. Your students will thank you, and you'll see the difference in your classroom from day one. Transform your teaching and make every minute count with this fantastic resource. Get your copy today!

Gang, here is the truth: most people do not know where to begin or how to grow as a professional, trainer, or consultant. That is why Within Our Ranks exists. We guide educators to become respected speakers, trainers, and consultants. We take your expertise, your voice, and your story, and we give you the tools to share them with impact.

 The next three-day retreat will be hosted in Orlando, Florida in February 2026!  These retreats give you immersive support, hands-on practice, and access to a powerful community of educator-speakers who support one another.

 If you are curious about becoming a speaker, let’s talk. Visit WithinOurRanks.com to learn more about the program and register for one of our community events. Schedule a discovery call with Megan to discuss your goals and how the program can help you achieve them.

Community

Every last Thursday of the month, educators from across the country join the Within Our Ranks Community Zoom Event to connect, share, and discuss all things speaking, training, and consulting. It is a space for honest conversations about what professional development and speaking look like in the evolving world of K-12 education. These conversations are powerful, insightful, and engaging, whether you are just starting or already in the field. 

When: December 18, 2025

Where: Zoom Register here!