In this mini podcast, Phil Boyte encourages you to take a moment to REFLECT on what is positive in your life and to CELEBRATE those around you! This year we have challenged ourselves in many new ways… be sure to celebrate the incredible, resilient person that you are.
In Phil Boyte’s latest podcast, hear Rhett Ladner, 27-year veteran educator, share ideas on creating a school where everyone is excited to be there. Don’t miss Rhett’s “mullet philosophy” of injecting some fun into everyday activities and the pivotal question from his colleague that transformed his mindset and approach… Be Yourself!
Hear from Sara Cowey, Educator and Activities Director, on creative and fun ways she is connecting students virtually this fall, ideas for staff collaboration and recognition, and the importance of self-care. As Sara and Phil discuss, everyone on campus (virtual or in-person) is “in this together” and it is critical to not only take care of each other but also ourselves.
When your mantra is “Teach to Make a Difference,” the outcome is amazing. Dr. Farah (Meadows) Ortega-Choate shares what she is doing this fall to inspire culture with both students and staff while distance learning. Hear her ideas on building relationships early in the semester and the importance of “connection before content.”
In this episode, Phil Boyte and his guest, Sabrina Goodwin Monday, Global National Sales Director of Mary Kay Cosmetics, encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and think in an innovative way.
Get a dose of positive mental attitude (PMA) as Sabrina shares many inspirational ideas on how to motivate others, the importance of listening and understanding, and working with an end goal in mind.
Listen in as Phil Boyte and his guest Mark Schumacher, former high school teacher turned keynote speaker and stand up comedian, share some educational humor!
Mark has a brilliant way of finding humor in the classroom setting or staff meetings. Take Mark’s challenge on how you can find more humor around you! Also, he shares tips on what you can do if a comedic student becomes a distraction and ideas to bring laughter into the virtual classroom environment.
In this episode, Phil Boyte and Steve Bollar, a.k.a. Stand Tall Steve, an educational thought leader and former superintendent and principal, share IDEAS TO CONNECT VIRTUALLY with staff and students as many of us begin the school year with remote learning.
One approach Steve recommends is to go “old school” during these virtual times to help build connections… from picking up the phone, defining classroom values, supporting social emotional needs, to learning about new students and staff… because we are people first!
Don't miss Phil and Steve demonstrate a Relationship Builder, “HIGH, LOW, CHEER,” that you can also easily use to create connections with staff and students in a virtual environment this fall.
During Episode #60, Phil Boyte talks with Jimmy Gleich, Director of Activities at Bishop Gorman High School, about re-thinking how we return to school this fall.
While the start of every school year is important, this fall we have a tremendous opportunity to change how we welcome back students and staff! In their conversation, Jimmy shares ideas and activities to build connections as you kick-off the fall semester… whether that is in-person or distance learning, or a hybrid.
Looking for ideas on how to plan an unforgettable Day 1, how to create time/places for students to socialize while social distancing, how to utilize social media to create connections, and more… then don’t miss this episode!
Listen in as Phil Boyte and Hans Appel discuss ideas to cultivate positive culture. Hans reflects from his recent book, “Award Winning Culture” to bring you real life examples of where to start to impact your school and what he does to make himself approachable to students. As we think ahead to fall and what returning to school may look like, Phil and Hans share a reminder of how we can check-in and support the adults and students on campus and build in intentional time.
Join Phil Boyte as he and his good friend, Phil Campbell of The Green Room Podcast, talk about the power of cultivating relationships during a virtual time. They share thoughts on the using social media, creative ways to connect with those who feel disconnected, and offer approaches to help shift mindset even from afar. Looking for ways to expand your perspective and find the possibilities in the midst of whatever might be ahead… you won’t want to miss this idea filled podcast!
Phil welcomes back Heather Garcia to dive deeper into “Staying Positive in an Ambiguous Time” - Part II. Heather pulls from her vast experience and shares ideas for administrators and teachers to carry a mindset of HOPE, JOY, and COURAGE in their lives. Listen in as she shares her thoughts on using this time to focus, provide clarity for teams, and encourages you to consider the “boomerang” challenge!
Join Phil as he welcomes Heather Garcia to the podcast. Heather has played many different roles in education including teacher, coach, activities director, principal, and eventually at the district level as an associate superintendent. While her roles have evolved overtime, one thing has never changed… her contagious attitude and way of staying positive even in the most challenging of days. During this podcast, Heather talks about the power of staying positive even in the midst of ambiguity, ideas she has seen work for her own life and ideas you can take back to the school environment.
Join Phil as he welcomes back Kristin Patten, for a second interview on the podcast as she shares an amazing idea they rolled out at Antelope High School in April called “Titans ALL IN Virtual Spirit Week.” Many schools have been rolling out virtual spirit weeks, but what makes this one unique is the idea that Kristin, the Activities Director at Antelope High School in Antelope, California had to include alumni from her past student government classes to participate and help coach her current leaders. Listen in as Kristin shares the idea, how they set it up, and the ripple effect of the TITAN SPIRIT that captured the entire community and alumni around the world!
During this episode, Phil talks with Rochelle Whellams, a motivational speaker and leadership facilitator about the mindset she lives by and how it impacts her everyday life. During their conversation, Rochelle shares how being intentional with what she gives her energy has been life giving and shares the 5 questions she recommends using to filter thoughts. Looking to hit this week with a new dose of perspective? You won’t want to miss this great episode.
On this episode, Phil interviews Christiana Kraus about the importance of intentionally building relationships as a new administrator. Christiana views her role as an educator as an opportunity to serve others well, with heart and with intentionality. She believes as leaders; we must foster and build clear communication, processes, and practices that focus on relationships, which is the building blocks to a strong foundation of positive culture and climate in a school community. Listen in as Christiana shares a few practical tips she has implemented this year as the new principal at Paramount High School in Los Angeles.
Join Phil Boyte and his guest Dean Whellams as they talk about the power of building trust over time and the concept of Psychological Safety. Dean spends his life helping cultivate incredible leaders, so you won't want to miss as he shares very practical ways he has seen educators cultivate the culture they want through organic change.
Listen in as Phil interviews Tamara Givens, the Activities Director at Granite Bay High School about a few activities they do in the spring to build culture with both their staff and students. Tamara is passionate about finding ways to include people from across campus, so we hope you walk away with even one simple idea you could pilot in the spring.
With only a few weeks before the end of the semester, how can you support staff during an often busy season? Phil Boyte and Jason Jedamski talk about why taking the time to check-in is so important, share a few ideas that could be easily implemented, and leave you empowered to find even just one thing to do over the next few weeks.
During this podcast, Phil Boyte interviews Steve Moos, the lead custodian at Country Lane Intermediate in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Steve has become the heartbeat of his campus and through this highly inspirational interview, we hear why he believes his role is simply a “mentor with a mop.” Phil and Steve talk about creative ways he builds relationships across campus, how he empowers students to help, and simple ways to take care of non-instructional team members. Looking for reminders of how every single person on campus can build thriving culture? You won’t want to miss this episode.
During this podcast, Phil Boyte interviews Robby Riggs, a dynamic consultant focused on unlocking the potential in the 4-generation workplace. Robby shares quick examples of each generation, why great managers take the time to stop and listen, and how people can think about using counter mentors at the school level. Ready for a fast and furious look at building even more trust and communication across your team? Check out the podcast today.
When we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week back in the spring, we pulsed our School Culture By Design Facebook group followers for teachers who are doing incredible culture work on their campuses. Out of all the great nominees, Kelsey Graham a teacher from Middle Township High School was selected! During this podcast, Phil Boyte interviews Kelsey as she shares a few of the great ideas she implemented on her campus this past year. Listen in as Kelsey shares how they catch students doing great things around campus, support their staff members monthly, and focus on building thriving culture a year long.
Join Phil Boyte as he interviews Allie Snyder as she reflects back on this past year as she started her teaching career at Weaverville Elementary in North Carolina. During this podcast, Allie shares simple things that were helpful to her and things she wished she would have known from the start. Looking to support your brand new teachers, take a listen and maybe you will walk away with one more thing you can do to make your brand new staff feel welcome this year!
When was the last time you took a tour of your campus with culture on the brain? Phil Boyte and Jason Jedamski both know there are some limitations on what can be changed within physical spaces, but during this podcast they share simple ideas for making people feel welcome from the moment they step up to the curb. It is a combination of what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like... so listen in today!
On this mini podcast episode, Phil Boyte and Jason Jedamski talk about the power of the first day back for faculty. They talk about what a typical first day is expected to look like and contrast that with a variety of ideas that will get your staff excited to be back! Many of the ideas they share don’t take too much time or energy, but can truly set the tone for the rest of the year. Looking to remind the adults on campus that relationships are key to a successful year... you won't want to miss this one!