Gang, I love a good quit day. January 15th arrives, gym memberships panic, treadmills cry, and salads everywhere feel abandoned. Quit Day usually earns a bad reputation, but today 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 in our schools.

[video]

Quit Confusing Climate and Culture

Let’s start here because this mix-up causes more confusion than a substitute teacher without a seating chart. Climate refers to how people feel when they enter a space. Culture refers to how people do things over time. Climate lives in emotions. Culture lives in traditions, systems, and behaviors.

When leaders hang posters and expect transformation, disappointment follows. A smiling cat on a rope does not change behavior. People change behavior. When adults model respect, consistency, and care, the culture shifts. When culture shifts, climate improves. Teachers and students feel it. Energy rises. Trust grows. Quit confusing the two so you can improve both.

Quit Leading Through Compliance

Folks, compliance feels easy. It checks boxes. It satisfies mandates. It also drains passion faster than a faculty meeting without snacks. Compliance asks people to obey. Commitment invites people to invest.

Educators know the difference. Students know the difference. We all remember teachers who showed up for a paycheck and teachers who showed up for a purpose. Leadership through compliance creates a survival mode. Leadership through commitment creates ownership.

If leaders praise only rule-following, rule-following becomes the ceiling. Excellence never grows in that space. Quit leading through compliance and start leading through clarity, connection, and trust. High expectations paired with respect inspire people to rise.

Quit Adding Initiatives Without Removing Anything

Initiative overload weighs on educators like a backpack full of bricks. Every new program requires time, energy, and focus. Energy has limits. Capacity has limits. When leaders add without subtracting, burnout follows.

Think about a closet stuffed beyond capacity. Clothes hang unused. Nothing fits. Schools work the same way. If a practice no longer serves students or staff, it needs an exit door.

Leading with excellence means choosing depth over volume. Teachers want purpose, not piles. Before launching something new, ask what can be left behind. This simple habit honors time and builds trust. Quit stacking initiatives and start protecting energy.

Quit Avoiding Hard Conversations

Silence does not equal positivity. Silence creates rumors, resentment, and side conversations. Avoiding tough topics trains people to whisper instead of collaborate.

Hard conversations require courage and care. They address patterns, expectations, and impact. When leaders speak with clarity and respect, trust grows. When leaders stay silent, silence becomes the culture.

Addressing chronic lateness, uneven effort, or misalignment supports strong educators who crave fairness. Your best teachers want accountability. They want consistency. Quit hiding behind forced positivity and lead with honesty and care.

Quit Treating Educators Like the Problem

This one matters deeply. Educators do not wake up plotting failure. Teachers enter schools with purpose and heart. Systems break people down. Broken systems create frustration. Blame never fixes culture.

When leaders frame educators as problems to solve, morale drops. When leaders treat educators as professionals to support, pride returns. Growth thrives in respect.

Burnout often signals misalignment, not weakness. When work connects to purpose, endurance grows. When work feels like endless tasks, even small challenges feel heavy. Quit blaming educators and start fixing systems, structures, and expectations.

Leading Forward With Respect and Excellence

Quitting these habits opens space for better leadership. Excellence does not require overwhelm. Respect does not require silence. Strong culture grows from clarity, trust, and follow-through.

Teachers deserve dignity. Support staff deserve appreciation. Students deserve adults who lead with intention. Climate improves when people feel valued. Culture strengthens when actions align with values.

Quit what no longer serves your people. Choose excellence over excess. Choose conversations over silence. Choose respect over blame.

January 15th may mark Quit Day, but in schools, quitting the wrong things creates room for everything right. Keep Standing Tall.

The Keynote Your District Needs: Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

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 as I guide 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. https://calendly.com/standtallsteve/connect-with-steve?month=2025-08 

A Must Have: Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas is for exactly what schools need most: immediate, practical strategies to improve climate and culture. It's your go-to guide to simple, fun, and practical ideas you can implement right away, without waiting for a committee or a budget. If you lead a classroom, a school, or a district, this book provides simple, fun, and effective ideas that anyone can use right away.

I share a collection of powerful ideas to energize staff, engage students, and uplift your entire school community. From the lighthearted Joke of the Day to meaningful moments like Hello Day, every idea in the book is a practical strategy that can be easily implemented. Each idea reinforces a culture of belonging, appreciation, and joy, making it a perfect fit for any school environment.

You don't need to reinvent your school’s culture; you just need to start with one idea. Just one! Ideas, Ideas, Ideas helps is the ultimate resource for educators who want less stress and more success. It's a comprehensive guide that equips you with the tools to improve your school's culture and climate. 

Get your copy today and start your journey towards a more positive and successful school environment. 

Within Our Ranks Retreat

Gang, here is the truth: most people don't know where to begin or how to grow professionally as trainers or consultants. 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 give you the tools to share them with impact. You can even earn one college credit through our partnership with Fort Hays State University. Because yes, this is real, professional-level work.

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 (February 26, 2026). Schedule a discovery call with Megan to discuss your goals and how the program can help you achieve them.

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 program is 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.