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School Culture By Design

During 35+ years of wandering the continent, visiting schools and listening to leaders share their joys and frustrations, Phil Boyte has learned a lot about building great school culture. In this podcast, he and his team share stories from impactful leaders who are putting their PEOPLE FIRST and give simple techniques to design a culture where everyone can belong. We invite you along on this listening journey. You will hear simple and transformative stories about building community, vulnerability, and trust on your campus. No matter what role you play, we believe everyone has a hand in creating a place no one will want to leave.
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Now displaying: 2021
Dec 7, 2021

Kelly Griffin wants to “change the educational ecosystem” with an emphasis on social emotional learning (SEL). She shares numerous SEL activities to help build community in the classroom. Kelly also discusses the importance of teaching and practicing self-awareness, self-management, and coping skills.  

CLICK HERE for the Better Together Connect Cards that Kelly mentions during this episode.

Nov 16, 2021

Donovan Taylor Hall, youth advocate and educator, is an inspiring, positive force for youth. He helps kids improve their most important relationship… the one they have with themselves.

Donovan shares 3 skills to help students build a positive self-identity. Listen in to hear about the importance of encouraging helpful self-talk, creating a growth mindset, and practicing gratitude. 

Oct 21, 2021

Brooke Barton is on a mission to build positive school culture and develop “get on your feet” leaders … because as Brooke says, you can’t lead sitting down! 

Don’t miss her school’s unique approach to the typical canned food drive that gets more students involved, the “Big Greet” to welcome students mid semester, and more ideas that help build amazing campus culture! 

Sep 14, 2021

Be inspired by Kenny Monday, former Olympic gold medalist wrestler and current Head Coach and Director of the wrestling academy at SPIRE Institute. Kenny shares the value of learning from all experiences, including wins and losses, to drive us forward. Kenny is creating opportunities for youth and student athletes as he believes “when we re-invest in our youth, we make a deposit into our future.”   

Aug 31, 2021

Take a journey on the “Road to Awesome” with Phil Boyte and guest Darrin Peppard, keynote speaker, author, and former teacher and administrator. Darrin shares ideas on how to build positive school culture and how focusing on what people are doing right changed his mindset.

Aug 10, 2021

It’s back to school time, and we are chatting with Christina Onuskanich (Mrs. O), Teacher at Central Mountain Middle School in Mill Hall, PA. Christina shares ideas on how she is kicking off the new school year with a focus on engagement and building relationships. Ideas include dedicated circle time, welcome back activities, mindfulness tools, team building, and a school wide book reading of “Deep Kindness” with her goal to “Let kindness lead the way this year.”

Jul 27, 2021

Listen in to the CULTURE LEVER series finale and hear ideas on how you can CELEBRATE and SUPPORT your staff. It starts by creating and building genuine connections with colleagues. Phil Boyte shares ideas to consider this fall, such as relationship builders, check-in’s, and the Love List to get to know your staff and how they like to be celebrated or supported. 

Download the staff Love List (plus some student love list questions in this blog post):  https://www.learningforliving.com/cultureblog/2020/8/18/the-love-list

Jul 13, 2021

Join Phil Boyte and guest Jason Jedamski, Director of the Vanguard Academy of Broken Arrow, OK, as they share ideas on "Creating Irresistible Experiences for Students." Jason shares his passion to create an environment of emotional commitment among staff and students across campus and in the classrooms. JJ believes in micro experiences and that these moments create momentum. 

Listen in and consider how you can create irresistible experiences at your school this fall!

Jun 29, 2021

Next up in the CULTURE LEVER series, join Phil Boyte and guest Shyana Frost, Learning for Living COO, for an episode packed with ideas and tips on how you can intentionally build connections at your GATHERINGS from staff meetings to social events.  #PeopleFirst

Jun 15, 2021

In this episode of the School Culture By Design CULTURE LEVER series, Phil Boyte welcomes back guest Ted Goergen, Director of Student Activities at Adlai E. Stevenson HS in Lincolnshire, Illinois. 

Ted views this fall as an opportunity to recalibrate and reimagine school culture and shares ideas on “Welcoming Students Back.”

Jun 1, 2021

Continuing the Culture Lever mini podcast series, this episode focuses on the “Onboarding/Reboarding” lever and gives ideas for welcoming staff back to your campus this fall. Hear how to communicate “we are so glad you are here” from day one with culture at the forefront.

May 18, 2021

Listen in as Phil Boyte provides an overview of the CULTURE LEVERS, four core areas that can be leveraged to intentionally build thriving school culture. 

In this episode, Phil focuses on the COMMUNICATION lever and shares simple ways to take a “people first” approach to communicate with your staff leading into the fall semester. 

Apr 13, 2021

Spring is here and before we know it school will be out for summer, so what a great time to pause and consider the potential we have before staff and students leave for the year. During this mini podcast, Phil shares the concept of "intent versus capacity" and thoughts on prioritizing this spring for optimal impact.

Apr 1, 2021

Join Phil Boyte and guests Kim Karr, co-founder of #ICANHELP, and Malorie Bournazian, Lead Intern at Digital4Good, as they discuss using technology and social media in a positive way and empowering students to be part of the solution. They share tips on how educators can encourage students to have safer and healthier digital habits as well as the importance of training students to help and support fellow students as they often turn to one another.  

Additional resources, including free curriculum and the “21-Day Digital Wellness Challenge” to create healthy technology habits can be found on ICANHELP.net. Also, don’t miss the Digital4Good Virtual Summit Power Hour on April 23, 2021!

Feb 12, 2021

Join Phil Boyte and Debbie Hawkins, Campus Culture Director, at Sunnyside High School in Fresno, California, for a run down on virtual and social distancing ideas for this spring. Debbie has created possibilities and fun events for her staff and students during this pandemic without skipping a beat.

Listen in to hear how she helps her school stay connected, including STUDENT events such as Senior Shout Outs on Instagram, Move Up Day, and Virtual Prom; and STAFF events including social distance lawn chair lunches, staff competitions, and a virtual holiday party.

Jan 5, 2021

Join PB and PC as they bounce questions back and forth about culture, travel, books, self-care, and so much more! Get to know the two friends who are deeply passionate about building great culture, as they share both personal and professional experiences and insights.

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