When you walk into your classroom, your building, or even your district office, what do you see? Do you see evidence of what you respect and value, or do you just see walls, papers, and clutter? The truth is this: if you want your school culture to thrive, your values need to live in every space and in everything you do. Educators and students should not have to guess what matters most in your school community. They should feel it, see it, and experience it every single day.

Classroom-Level Values: Making It Visible

In your classroom, your values should be more than words buried in a handbook. They need to be visible and alive. Start by identifying your “Big Three,” the three core values you want your students to know, live, and breathe in your classroom. For example, your values are respect, responsibility, and curiosity. Post those words prominently on every wall, on tables, and even on the papers you hand out. The repetition of three words sets the tone for the entire learning environment and helps students understand what is expected of them.

When I served as a building administrator, we used a strategy called header-footer. Every single paper that went home had, in the header or footer, not only the teacher’s name and contact information but also the classroom or building values. Why? Because when a parent picked up a paper, they instantly knew how to reach the teacher and what mattered most in that learning space.

Do not just display your values, reference them often. Talk about them during lessons. Praise students when they demonstrate them. Build connections between your expectations and your values until they become part of your classroom’s heartbeat.

Building-Level Values: Creating Consistency

Now let’s zoom out to the building level. Take a walk through your hallways. How many times can you visually see what your school respects and values? Are those words on posters, banners, and bulletin boards? Are they consistently presented with the same font, colors, and energy?

One strategy I used was creating student-driven visuals. I invited students to walk around the building and take photos of classmates living our values of teamwork, accountability, and integrity. We turned those photos into large, colorful posters and hung them throughout the school. Imagine walking down a hallway and seeing your students’ faces celebrating what matters most. It creates pride, ownership, and alignment.

When visitors enter your building, the first thing they see should scream your purpose. A big banner with your annual theme or your school’s values sends a strong message: This is who we are. This is what we believe.

District-Level Values: Building Unity

Each building in your district has its own unique culture, but your district values should still shine everywhere. Walk through your central office, attend district events, or visit multiple schools. Can you clearly see the district’s pillars, goals, and vision? If your values are hidden in a dusty binder or stuck on a side wall where no one looks, you are missing an opportunity.

District-level alignment matters because it drives consistency. Educators, parents, and community members should all recognize the heartbeat of your district. Use large visuals, banners, and real-life stories from your school. Celebrate your educators and students in photos and features. When your community steps into a board office or sees communication from the district, they should instantly understand what you stand for.

Why It Matters

Values are not just posters or slogans; they shape your climate and culture. When students, teachers, and administrators all operate from a shared understanding of “what we are about,” this shared understanding builds alignment and purpose. Without that clarity, classrooms, buildings, and districts drift into inconsistency and confusion.

Ask yourself and your team:

• Where are our values visible right now?
  
  
• How often are we talking about them?
  
  
• Do our actions and visuals align with what we say we believe?
  
  

A thriving school culture grows when your values are seen, spoken, and celebrated every day.

Stand Tall and Take Action

Start today. Walk your classroom, your building, and your district. Identify where your values are missing and where you can amplify them. Create a consistent visual identity that reinforces your purpose. Align your conversations, celebrations, and actions with what you respect and value.

When students, staff, and families experience your values everywhere they turn, your culture strengthens. And when your culture thrives, everyone, including students, educators, and leaders, stands taller together.

 Check out this blog for more ideas! https://www.standtallsteve.com/blog/vision-mission-values-series-values 

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

Exciting news! I am thrilled to announce the release of my latest book, Just Do This... An Educator's Guide to Climate and Culture, 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 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.

Does your school just need something different?

When I work with administrators who want professional development that truly aligns with their school or district goals, I focus on creating a customized experience that speaks directly to the needs of their community. I understand that every school has its own unique challenges, priorities, and aspirations, which is why I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.

My programs can be delivered as a keynote, workshop, professional development session, consultation, or mini session. I carefully design each one to fit the specific goals of your educators and students. My goal is simple: to ensure that the time we spend together directly supports your vision and leads to meaningful, practical outcomes that create lasting impact.

Before I step into your school or district, I collaborate with your leadership team to fully understand your culture, strengths, and needs. If your school needs to strengthen school climate, improve staff collaboration, develop leadership skills, or increase student engagement, I craft presentations and strategies tailored to your team's needs. Every session I deliver provides relevant, actionable tools that educators can start using immediately.

When you bring me in for custom professional development, you get more than just a training session! You get an experience that inspires, equips, and unites your staff. Together, we create the foundation for lasting improvement and a stronger, more connected school community.

It is simple, just visit StandTallSteve.com or email me directly at [email protected] to set up your session. Let’s make professional development purposeful and something your team looks forward to!

Join the Within Our Ranks 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. Next month's guest is me!  It is an Ask Me Anything event. Join us in shaping the future of educational speaking!

When: September 25, 2025 at 7PM EST

Where: Zoom Register here!

As a professional speaker, I travel worldwide speaking at schools and organizations.  Jet lag is a thing of the past for me, thanks to FlyKitt. You have to check them out! Visit FlyKitt, use the coupon code STANDTALL for 10% off, and tell them Stand Tall Steve sent you!