What actually shifts a school?

In this episode, Stacy sits down with lifelong educator and superintendent Jon Konen to talk about what it really takes to change school culture—from the inside out.

This conversation goes far beyond strategies and into the heart of education: relationships, regulation, accountability, and the courage to lead through resistance.

Together, they unpack what happens when schools stop focusing only on academics and begin to support the whole child—and the adults responsible for them.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between “what works on paper” and “what actually works with people,” this episode is for you.

🔥 “If we don’t address what’s happening beneath the surface, it doesn’t matter what we do with math or reading—nothing sticks.”

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

•  Why culture always outweighs strategy in schools 
•  The shift from academic-only interventions to whole-child approaches
•  What it really looks like to lead through staff resistance
•  How to build buy-in without forcing it
•  The role of accountability in a healthy culture (it’s not just “fluffy”) 
•  How relational practices impact: 
  •  Behavior referrals 
  •  Staff burnout 
  •  Student success 
•  Practical strategies for addressing “toxic” dynamics in schools 
•  Why connection must come before correction—for both students and staff
•  How to re-engage parents as partners, not outsiders 
•  The importance of co-regulation for leaders

💡 Key Takeaways

•  You don’t need everyone to buy in—just enough to create a tipping point
•  Relationships are not soft—they are structural to success
•  You can’t build culture from behind a desk—leadership must be visible
•  “Toxicity” isn’t a label—it’s a signal that something deeper needs attention 
•  Real change happens through consistency, not intensity

🛠️ Practical Strategy Highlight

The Daily “Thermometer Check”

Jon shares a powerful leadership practice:

•  Check in with staff daily 
•  Ask: “How can I support you today?”
•  Build relational “deposits” before making “withdrawals” 
•  Address concerns privately, with connection first 

Simple. Consistent. Transformational.

🌱 About Jon Konen

Jon Konen is a lifelong educator, superintendent, and consultant focused on transforming school culture through intentional, relationship-driven leadership. With experience spanning classrooms to district leadership, Jon brings practical, real-world strategies that help schools move from dysfunction to connection. He is the founder of Jon Konen Consulting and host of the Moving Mountains podcast, where he explores strategies to reduce toxicity and build thriving educational environments.

🔗 Connect with Jon

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jon.konen.2025 
• Instagram: @jon_konen 
• Website: (soon to be released) www.jonkonen.com