School Climate and Culture and the School Counselor

Does it seem like all of a sudden everyone is talking about positive school climate and culture? How can school counselors possibly impact school climate and culture. Keep reading as we share 3 tips for improving the overall feel of your school. Want more tips? Listen to our podcast on this same topic!

We think “climate and culture” has become a popular buzz phrase because educators are starting to realize that we are training up a whole new generation of students.  Technology is the language they speak, and due to this technology expertise, they have experienced more at their young ages than some of us have in our prime.  For example, through virtual reality, they can travel to remote countries we’ve only heard of.  They can immediately investigate topics they don’t understand instead of waiting for their parents to take them to the library like we had to.  Because of this, it’s difficult to keep their attention with worksheets and textbooks.  We have witnessed many educators who become frustrated by this and feel as though the students are spoiled by technology.  Hey!  It isn’t their fault they were born in this digital age!  The great news is that this ability to investigate instantly has created an insatiable curiosity, and it’s our job to cultivate that!

Many schools have realized that learning environments that create an experience for students are the key to a positive learning environment.  We have put together 3 steps to beginning your journey toward a positive climate at your school.

You Are a School Climate and Culture Leader!

The principal is the decision maker and the captain of the ship.  Some principals, however, are still stuck in the mindset that hallways should be quiet, walking in straight lines encourages order, and pencil and paper are best.  If this is your current situation, you are not alone!  The best advice is to realize you are a leader so control what you can!  Take advantage of events like National School Counseling Week to advocate for your program. Not only that, master the art of the “humble brag” as you communicate the wonderful things you’re doing for your school.
Being a leader also means being an encourager. Be intentional as you look for ways to brag on others. One lesson we’ve learned through the years is to be specific when you compliment another person. Giving a blanket, “You’re amazing!” starts to lose its luster when you don’t tell a person what makes them amazing. Accept the challenge to encourage someone this week!

Teaching and Learning

The lessons that we get to teach are unique and different from academic instruction. Take advantage of this and own your classroom and your lessons.  How you can create an experience for your students?  Can you decorate the room in a different way?  Can you dress up for your lesson?  How can you surprise your students and catch them off-guard repeatedly?  For example… We spoke about this very topic.  We decided we wanted to base it on the Dr. Seuss book, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!  We got the bright idea to make a pole to use as a prop during our presentation.  This took us to a home improvement store where it became very obvious that we didn’t know what we were doing.

Challenge yourself to compliment even the grumpy cats at your school.  And if you don’t have grumpy cats at your school, please tell us what that must be like!  Or just take your stress out on them using this technique:

Focus on Safety and Relationships

Ensuring that students are safe is a huge component of school climate and culture. We’re not just talking about “securing the perimeter.” We’re talking about make students feel safe by bringing awareness to bullying and ending school violence. One counselor we know started a kindness initiative at her school. Kindness was woven into the theme of everything the school did that year. The students signed a kindness contract. Bullying went down significantly!
Students also need a person within the school (besides their teacher) who make them feel special. If you don’t have one in place already, launch a mentor program. You can use adults, or if you are within close proximity to a school with older students, use them as your mentors. Read about the one at my school here.
It’s also imperative that new students feel welcome and connected when they come in. Consider whether your school’s student council could help with this. We have found great success using a new student small group!

Bonus Tip: Don’t become a Negative Nelly– It’s easy to become discouraged; especially when you have a great visualization of what the atmosphere could be like with a new climate.  Get a notebook.  Make notes about what the future could look like.  Let the hope of that vision carry you from where your climate and culture currently is to where it could be.

And just in case you were wondering…  Here is our semi-finished Dr. Seuss pole.  Super cute.