The Elephant in the Room

There are moments in schools when everyone feels something heavy in the room, yet nobody names it. Picture a staff meeting where the energy feels off; you can cut the tension with a knife. People smile, nod, and take notes, but the room feels tight. Outside pressures that walk through the front doors with us every morning. Policies, mandates, and public rhetoric do not stay on paper. They show up in classrooms, hallways, and faculty lounges. Ignoring that reality does not protect culture. It strains it. A difficult conversation needs to happen, and a strong culture depends on our courage to start it. Every school has an elephant in the room. The elephant has no name, and feeding it donuts does not solve the problem. Educators feel pressure from outside forces that question their professionalism, decision-making, and even the value of the work. When leaders avoid this topic, silence fills the gap. Silence breeds frustration, confusion, and distrust.