Hey gang, Stand Tall Steve here!

I travel across the country, working with schools on one main thing: building positive culture and climate. I have seen outstanding schools that feel alive the moment you walk through the doors. I have also seen schools that feel flat, tired, and disconnected. 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.

Inconsistency: The Silent Culture Killer

Nothing confuses and frustrates a school staff more than inconsistency. One day an initiative is a “top priority,” and the next week, it is forgotten. A rule applies to one student but not to another. Expectations shift from meeting to meeting. This kind of unpredictability erodes trust.

When I work with schools, I remind leaders that consistency builds confidence. Educators do not need perfection; they need clarity. If you say you are going to do something, follow through. If you roll out a new system, stick with it long enough to see the results. Too often, schools jump from one shiny program to another, full of acronyms, without giving anything time to take root.

I remember visiting a school where every wall had posters for a different initiative. One corner shouted “PBIS!”, another wall had “Growth Mindset!”, and across the hall it said “Leader in Me.” Each idea was good, but the result was chaos. Teachers told me, “We do not even know which one matters most anymore.” That is when you know inconsistency has taken over.

When culture wobbles, it starts with leadership alignment. Every administrator, teacher leader, and support staff member must understand the same vision and communicate it clearly. The strongest cultures have rhythm, a steady beat of expectations, recognition, and routines that people can count on.

Lack of Recognition: People Want to Feel Seen

Schools often underestimate the transformative power of recognition. There’s no such thing as too much recognition! Everyone wants to feel noticed and appreciated. When that doesn’t happen, negativity spreads like wildfire. But when we make a conscious effort to recognize and celebrate even the smallest achievements, we can ignite a wave of positivity that can reshape our school culture.

Recognition does not need to cost anything. You can do it through shout-outs, positive phone calls home, or even a “wall of names” where students and staff can see their accomplishments. When I was a principal, I created simple systems that celebrated effort. One of my favorites was our “Hartford Howell” chant. Whenever we recognized students during assemblies, I would yell, “Hartford Howell on three!” and the entire group of 600 students would howl together. The pride in that moment was powerful. Recognition like that builds belonging.

Some schools focus recognition only on big, academic wins. But culture grows when we recognize character, collaboration, and kindness. You can do something as small as calling a parent to say their child helped another student or letting a teacher know that their creative idea made the day better. SAY SOMETHING NICE!

Kids and adults want to see their names. When you post student names for honor roll or perfect attendance, watch what happens. Kids stand taller, and their peers notice. The same goes for teachers. A simple bulletin board of “Staff Shout-outs” can lift an entire hallway. Leave a post-it!

Recognition feeds energy. Without it, the climate starts to fade, and people forget why their work matters.

Poor Communication: The Root of Frustration

If inconsistency is the silent culture killer, poor communication is the loud one. Misunderstanding, mixed messages, and assumptions cause frustration faster than anything else. This is why clear, transparent communication is not just a necessity, but a cornerstone of a healthy school culture.

As leaders, we think we communicate clearly, but the message gets lost. I have seen staff meetings where people nod politely but walk out thinking about five different things. I have seen emails meant to inspire that instead created confusion. Communication is not just about information. It is about connection.

When people feel included in the conversation, they feel respected. I teach leaders to use what I call the “Five Levels of Decision-Making.” (Freebie for you!) Sometimes you make the decision, sometimes you make it with input, and sometimes the team decides. The key is clarity. Everyone needs to know their level of voice in the process.

The same applies to how we communicate with students and families. Clear, positive, and consistent communication builds community. Mixed messages create tension. When communication breaks down, assumptions fill the gap, and that is when culture starts to crumble.

So, What Do We Do About It?

If you want to strengthen your school culture, start with these three things:

1. Stay consistent with your expectations and follow-through. Do not chase every new trend; build depth with what works.
   
   
2. Recognize often and creatively. Celebrate students and staff for who they are, not only for what they produce.
   
   
3. Communicate clearly and inclusively. Make sure everyone understands the “why” behind decisions.
   
   

Culture is not built through colossal events or posters on the wall. It grows through daily habits that show people they matter. Every hallway conversation, morning announcement, and classroom interaction either builds or breaks your culture.

As educators, we shape the environment we walk into every day. If we stay consistent, recognize others, and communicate with clarity, our schools will not just survive, they will thrive.

Keep standing tall, keep leading with purpose, and keep building cultures that shine.

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 anyone can easily implement. 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 will equip you with the tools you need to improve your school's culture and climate. 

Get your copy today and start your journey towards a more positive and successful school environment. https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productDetail/2046004/JOSTENS-RENAISSANCE-EDUCATION/Climate-Boosters/2010122104291253354/CATALOG_SHOP/RENN_CLIMATE/RN118/2016092104191266067/

Just Do This... An Educator's Guide to Climate and Culture

Just Do This... An Educator's Guide to Climate and Culture is on shelves now! This book is a straightforward, actionable guide designed to help educators create a positive, thriving school environment where both students and staff can excel.

This Book Matters

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with countless schools around the globe, helping them improve their climate and culture. Through these experiences, I’ve identified key strategies that consistently bring positive results. Just Do This… breaks down these strategies into simple, practical steps that any educator can implement, especially if you are a teacher looking to enhance classroom dynamics or an administrator seeking to make a difference.

What to Expect

Just Do This… takes a no-nonsense approach to transforming school culture, highlighting the most effective practices schools can adopt immediately to see meaningful change. Each chapter is full of real-life examples, proven techniques, and practical insights to help educators make a lasting impact at the classroom, school, and district levels.

The book covers essential topics such as:

• Building strong relationships with students and staff.
• Recognizing achievements to foster a sense of belonging.
• Creating a culture rooted in integrity, collaboration, and purpose.
• Transforming compliance-based environments into thriving cultures of commitment.

Order Today

Grab your copy through Amazon! Get ready to lead the change to transform your school’s climate and culture.

Just Do This… Culture and Climate Bootcamp

I am thrilled to invite school leaders and educators to the Just Do This… Culture and Climate Bootcamp, a powerful three-day immersive experience designed to transform how you lead and elevate your school environment. This bootcamp, built around the principles in my book Just Do This: The Educator's Guide, is not another sit-and-get session. It is a hands-on, energy-packed experience that gives you actionable strategies to strengthen your culture and climate the moment you return to your school. We will dive deep into what truly drives morale, motivation, and meaningful results — clarity, consistency, and connection. You will walk away with practical tools that you can immediately apply to your classrooms, teams, and leadership practices to create the positive, sustainable culture your students and staff deserve.

The Just Do This Bootcamp will take place in San Antonio, Texas, from December 2nd to 4th, 2025, in partnership with AccuTrain’s Innovative Schools Summit, one of the nation’s most dynamic gatherings for educators and administrators. We will kick things off at 1:00 PM on December 2nd, dive into full sessions from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on December 3rd, and close with a powerful wrap-up session that ends at 11:00 AM on December 4th. Each participant will receive a copy of Just Do This: The Educator's Guide to extend their learning beyond the event. If you are ready to move from ideas to implementation, from intention to action, and from good to great, this is your chance. Join me at the Just Do This Bootcamp and let us take your school culture and climate to the next level. It is time to stop talking about change and just do this! Register today! https://www.standtallsteve.com/just-do-this-boostcamp 

Within Our Ranks Retreat: There's Still Time!

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 San Antonio, Texas, at the Holiday Inn Riverwalk on November 14-16, 2025.  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 (next meeting: November 20). Schedule a discovery call with Meg to discuss your goals and how the program can help you achieve them.