Create School Culture

I'm Brian Martin, I'm a second grade teacher who find so much joy and fulfillment in what I do. Being in the classroom for almost 20 years, I know all about the time, effort and energy that you are continuously pouring into those you serve. That's why each week, I'm going to bring you an inspiring message to give you a little joy, and help fill your cup back up. Thank you for being here. And welcome to the teaching champions podcast. What's going on everybody, I hope this finds you striving and thriving and doing absolutely amazing. And today, I want to talk about school culture, that workplace culture. Because of our schools, they're more than brick and mortars, they're more than people showing up clocking in putting in their time and going home. Because in many areas, the school is the centerpiece of the community, in our communities, trust us with the most precious thing within that community, their children, and every adult that comes into contact with a student during the school day, plays a role in that student's life in the school culture that we're a part of, can have a profound effect, and how we show up for those champions, the way the adults in the building treat each other, the way they see each other, the way they speak about each other. It plays a huge role in that school culture. And the truth of the matter is, we need each other. It's a long school year. And when you're in a profession, when you're constantly pouring into other people's cops, when there's nights, when you lay in bed, and you stare at the ceiling, because you're worried about one of your students can be emotionally physically, mentally draining. And that's why it's so important that the environment we work in, that it's a place that supportive, is appreciative, it's encouraging that it's a place where we lift each other up, because there's gonna come a time when we show up. And we just don't have it that day. But if we can walk into a building, and we feel supported, we feel that positive environment, when you can feel that love. When you can walk down that hallway and you feel that energy, it can pick you up. And when we're doing better, our champions are doing better. And as the adults in the school system, we set the tone on how that school operates. When we thrive, our scholars thrive. And I was listening to a podcast the other day. And there's a gentleman by the name of Dr. Joe sanfilippo, speaking, and he's a former national superintendent of the year. He's an amazing speaker. He's full of positive energy. And he's just a great thought leader. And if you don't know about him, check him out on Twitter and Instagram. He's fantastic. And on this podcast, he was talking about his school culture, and how he keeps it going strong in his district. And he stated that he adopted what he calls the RA E, which is recognize, acknowledge extend. And he says, When you enter the building, the first thing that you want to do is you want to start your day off, consciously recognizing the great things that are happening there. When you're walking down the hallway, make it a point, to see the learning that's taking place, the effort that your colleagues are putting forth, the love that they're pouring into their students each and every single day. Because when you recognize that, that's putting you in a positive mindset. And after that, the second thing you want to do is you want to acknowledge that you want to take that moment right there to go in whether it's in someone else's classroom or stop them in the hallway, and tell them the amazing thing that you saw. To recognize that you're building that relationship. You're building that rapport with your college. But then he said, the third and most important thing that you want to do that after you recognize the greatness that's taking place, after you acknowledge it, that you want to go, and you want to extend that conversation, that you continue down that hallway, and you go into someone else's room. And you tell them about the amazing thing that you saw happening down the hallway, that you speak highly of the other people in the building and what they're doing. And he said, what happens that is the person that you told, later on that day, they're going to go back to that other person, and let them know what they heard. And when we create a culture, where people are recognizing where they're acknowledging where they're extending that conversation, we're building that building up, or inspiring each other, we're lifting each other up, we're creating that positive environment. And it's vital. Because who doesn't want to walk into a building, where you can feel that energy pops into the hallway, who doesn't want to be part of something that's supportive and encouraging. And what parent doesn't want to send their child to a place where they know the adults there are loving, supporting, encouraging, not just to their child, but to each other. You see, those champions are champions, they deserve to walk into a place where they can feel that positive energy, they can feel that healthy environment that they can feel the nurturing, that's there. And, frankly, you deserve to walk into a place where you feel that. So recognize the great things that are taking place in your school, acknowledge, acknowledge those amazing things and extend it to others in the school. So important, my friends. And as always, thank you so much for your time, all right, for being part of the teaching champions community. And I'd appreciate it. If you could pass this message on anyone who you think could benefit from it, I truly be grateful. And it doesn't matter whether we're from rural America, or urban America, to Canada, to Spain, to Bahrain, to Australia, we're on that same team. We have that same mission. And we're always better together. My challenge for you this week, is to look at your inner circle to extend this beyond the school. Because sometimes the people that were closest to, we forget, we forget to take time to recognize the amazing things they do. And for being the amazing person that they are. So recognize them, take time and recognize them, acknowledge them, and extend that to someone else in your circle. Because when we lift each other up, we strengthen those relationships. And we need those relationships. Keep doing amazing things, my friends, and as you go out into this week, May stem into your strength may step into your shine, and let's build these champions up. Have a great week, everybody.