Thirty years ago, I was a young mom, navigating a divorce, and searching for stability. I found it in an unexpected place: Head Start. Enrolling my twin daughters, I was mesmerized. Not just by what they were learning—the pledge, colors, foundational skills—but by the sheer joy radiating from that classroom. The songs, the laughter, the artwork—it was a beacon of happiness, a glimpse of the career I craved.
That moment ignited a passion that led me from Head Start to the heart of school leadership. As a teacher, curriculum coordinator, behavior specialist, assistant principal, and principal, I learned a profound truth: leadership is teaching, just with a different set of students—your staff.
How many of you, school leaders, truly see yourselves as teachers of self? Not just of curriculum or policies, but of the very essence of human connection and well-being?
Think about it: just as happiness is an inside job, so is creating a culture of belonging. You set the tone, ensuring emotional safety, but it's a partnership. Every individual plays a role in cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and seen.
Last Sunday, I had the privilege of speaking to over 500 principals at the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals Leadership Conference. We dove deep into the role of leaders as teachers, focusing on self-awareness and emotional well-being. In a world grappling with a mental health crisis, understanding our thinking patterns and transforming them is paramount.
As a former principal, I know firsthand the power of teaching self-awareness. Each person enters our building with their unique thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It's our responsibility to guide them toward the behaviors that will drive our shared success.
I introduced the principals to the 8 BE Principles from my book, "The Culture Cre8or," challenging them to define the values that would propel their schools forward and to actively teach those values to their teams.
And I unveiled my new Principal’s Guide to Happy Teachers—over 200 lesson plans designed to boost morale and enhance school culture—along with the accompanying Teacher Workbook for personal reflection. Imagine having a tool like this during your principalship!
This experience has fueled my commitment to build a team of trainers (Culture Cre8ors) who will provide practical training and workshops that empower school leaders to foster self-awareness and well-being among their staff. Imagine the ripple effect of teaching your team to understand themselves better, the transformative impact on student learning.
I’m thrilled to offer a FREE copy of the Guide to Happy Teachers Lessons (a $149 value) to leaders who sign up for one of our upcoming workshops.
Are you ready to:
Move beyond "one-and-done" training and build a sustainable culture of belonging?
Equip your staff with the tools to navigate their emotional well-being?
Transform your school into a place where joy and connection thrive?
Join us on this mission to create schools around the country where every student, every teacher, and every leader feels like they truly belong.
Interested in learning more?
This comprehensive resource provides school leaders with over 200 lessons geared toward equipping teachers with the tools they need to reduce stress, enhance job satisfaction, and improve collaboration. To order your copy, visit www.culturecre8ion.com.
Deepen the impact of The Principal's Guide to Happy Teachers with the companion Teacher workbook. This reflective journal provides a dedicated space for teachers to process the lessons, record their insights, and personalize their self-awareness journey. To order copies for your team, , visit www.culturecre8ion.com.
View video here: https://youtu.be/x_p6a_0xaMw
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