In this enlightening episode of the "School After Hours Podcast," Juan Alvarado joins us to delve into the critical elements of culture building in out-of-school time programs and creating safe environments for staff and students. Juan discusses the foundational aspects of establishing a productive culture while emphasizing the necessity of relationship-building, supportive structures, and clear, consistent expectations for both staff and students. As you listen to this episode you'll get actionable insights into how after-school programs can align their goals to foster environments that are not only educational but also safe and motivational.

Key Takeaways:

• Modeling Expectations: Setting clear expectations for oneself, staff, and students is vital for effective program management and cultural coherence.
• Student Feedback Integration: Actively incorporate student feedback to enhance program engagement and ensure activities align with their interests and developmental needs.
• Building Relationships: A strong culture is rooted in relationship-building, which serves as a foundation for both structure and safety in educational settings.
• Professional Growth Insights: Juan advises professionals to seek varied experiences across different educational settings to build a versatile and robust career in youth development.
• Strategic Program Design: Innovative terminology and structured activities, like "structured fellowship," can creatively meet grant requirements while addressing student needs.

Resources:

Book A Free Consultation with ME! https://www.schoolafterhours.com/services

Summer School Lunch and Learn Series: https://bit.ly/SummerSchool25
Juan's Website: https://weraizethebar.com/

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