Hey there. Let’s face it, we've all been there. The classic question, “How was school?” often leads to the classic response: “Fine.” “It was alright.” “Good.” And that's the end of the story. But it doesn't have to be this way.

But here is the thing. Culture and climate do not start and end at s...

Hey gang, Stand Tall Steve here. Let’s be real for a minute. Educators want fresh ideas that work. Too often, we sit around in the staff lounge or in a team meeting brainstorming recognition activities, and the ideas end up feeling forced, stale, or just plain cheesy. Students pick up on that ...

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 spa...

Hey gang, Stand Tall Steve here. I want to have an honest conversation with you about school culture. As educators and leaders, we all want thriving schools where staff and students feel engaged, valued, and inspired. But here is the reality: many schools are stuck operating in compliance mode ra...

Hey gang, Stand Tall Steve here, and today I want to talk about something that often gets overlooked in schools but makes a massive difference in climate and culture: checking in with support staff.

When we talk about creating a positive school environment, we often focus on teachers, students, ...

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. E...

When I opened Elevated Educator, I knew I would find passion. What I did not expect was the precision, clarity, and real-world wisdom packed into every chapter. Megan Diede and Kara Rigsby wrote this book for the classroom educator, not theory. As someone who believes in Standing Tall for students a...

Let me be straight with you. Leading in K-12 education takes more than a title or a job description. It takes clarity, courage, and commitment. But too often, myths and misconceptions shape how we view leadership in schools and districts. These false ideas block real progress and discourage educa...

Hey there, educator. Yes—you. The one juggling lesson plans, student needs, and that growing stack of ungraded papers. I see the unique challenges you face, and this one’s for you.

You may be closing out a marking period. Testing season creeps closer. Or maybe you just need to make it to Friday....

Just Do This...

Hey gang, I have something powerful to share with you. As a seasoned educator and school climate and culture expert, I want to talk about something every school, every district, and every educator needs now more than ever: alignment, action, and culture that works.

I recently re...

Hey gang, ever sat through a team meeting or PLC where brainstorming felt like pulling teeth? You know what I’m talking about — that awkward silence or hearing the same ideas on repeat. It doesn’t have to be that way. I have four simple and effective brainstorming exercises to breathe life into y...

Hey gang! I want to talk about something that hits every educator at some point — idea fatigue. You know the feeling. Your brain feels like a chalkboard erased one too many times. Foggy. Blurry. You’ve pulled out all the old favorites, tried every go-to activity, and now you’re just... stuck. Ide...