The start of a new school year brings a mix of emotions. Excitement. Nervousness. Exhaustion. That final bell of the previous year felt like a sprint across a finish line. Now we find ourselves gearing up once again. We must recognize the true power we hold right now: the power to set the culture.

Summer is almost here, and if you are an educator, you already know what that means—two months of “rest” that somehow end up jam-packed with side gigs, house projects, and maybe some lesson planning you swore you would not do. I have rounded up the best summertime jobs!

I recently released my newest book, Just Do This… The message is clear. The mission is urgent.  That is where this book comes in. It's a practical guide, structured into twelve chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of school culture and performance.

Let’s be honest—staff meetings suck and often feel like a waste of time. They should bring people together, share valuable information, and improve the school. Instead, they drain energy, frustrate teachers, and make everyone question their life choices. The good news? It does not have to be this way. I am on a mission to improve the climate and culture of schools everywhere, and today’s focus is staff meetings. Here is why staff meetings suck and how to fix them.

Hey, gang! I am bringing you the real talk on professional development. Let’s be honest: when educators hear “professional development,” it doesn’t always spark excitement. Instead, we brace ourselves for long hours, unengaging presentations, and content irrelevant to our daily needs. That mindset exists for a reason—the bar for professional development in K-12 education is set way too low. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Professional development can be valuable, inspiring, and practical experience.

As I walk through schools across our nation, I see an unsettling trend: talented educators leaving the profession. The problem isn't a lack of capable teachers—it's our struggle to retain them. Retaining great educators requires more than acknowledgment; it demands deliberate, intentional efforts to create an environment where they work and thrive. Here's how we can ensure our schools become places where educators are excited to stay and grow.

When we think about education, we often picture a straight and narrow path—a singular road traveled by all, leading to the same destination. Yet, as teachers and learners, education is rarely a one-size-fits-all experience. Each student has strengths, challenges, and unique perspectives shaping how they learn best. Recognizing and embracing the idea of differentiated learning pathways is vital—a teaching approach that values flexibility, creativity, and adaptability in meeting diverse learning needs. The dynamic duo Kara and Meg from IntegratED join the podcast to share the fantastic work they have accomplished by implementing diverse learning pathways for their students.

The episode centers on the topic of co-teaching and its impact on school culture and climate. The hosts invite Jennifer Mazzochi, an experienced co-teacher, to share her insights on building effective co-teaching relationships. They explore the challenges and strategies of successful co-teaching, especially when co-teachers lack shared planning time. Jennifer offers various methods to bridge this gap, including using collaborative tools like Google Docs and scheduling brief daily check-ins.

As a former student, educator, and administrator with dyslexia, overcoming learning challenges has always been a part of my life. Over the years, as I’ve worked with students, families, and other educators, I’ve come to realize just how complex and vital this field truly is. Recently, I had the privilege of working with Allison Gollin, the founder of Gollin Educational Services. Her insights further deepened my understanding of the challenges families and educators face navigating the special education process. Supporting students, forming productive partnerships, and the intricacies of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 processes are just the beginning of understanding how this impacts the climate and culture in schools.

Efficiency and effectiveness are two concepts that often get thrown around together, yet they can feel like distant cousins in the world of education and leadership. For many of us, these terms create tension, like a marriage that constantly needs counseling. When we strive for both simultaneously, we often find ourselves pulled in different directions, torn between the desire to get things done quickly and the need to get things done well. I’ve come to see that while they are connected, understanding the difference between efficiency and effectiveness—and how they can complement each other—is key to navigating our personal and professional lives.

So, what’s the difference?