Let’s be honest, April is a tough time in the life of a school.  There are so many things going on and it seems like the finish line can’t come fast enough.  I still remember the days when I served as a principal just trying to cross the finish line with everything deleted off my never ending list.

I have talked to several principal and assistant principal friends over the last couple of weeks and have found that the message is constant for all of them.  They feel tired and over worked and are locked in a completely thankless job.  When I hear them speak I think of what I often call the dark days of the principalship.  I hear the stories of taking donuts and juice to cheer folks up only to hear “Well, why didn’t the principal bring breakfast tacos?” or to surprise folks with Whataburger gift cards only to hear “I don’t eat hamburgers, they should have gotten a variety for us.”  Yeah, these things do happen.  I also hear from campus leaders the never ending mandates that may or may not come from Central Office.  It gets tough!

Principals and assistant principals I want to remind you even in the midst of a million and one things going on, to never forget to Champion Your Culture.  I believe that the culture of your school is the responsibility of all in the building.  Everyone must work together to make it a great learning and extracurricular space for students.  The tough thing is that many forget that while they are busy with the day to day of the school.  So here are a few tips to help you Champion Your Culture during April:

• Don’t forget your vision for the school. Everyone was fired up about it at the first staff meeting after summer break.  Remind them about it over the PA, in department/team meetings, and in all correspondence to staff, students, and parents.
• Find positive spaces at the campus and highlight them. Go to the areas of your campus that are beaming with positivity and talk about it over the PA, in department/team meetings, and in all correspondence to staff, students, and parents.
• Surprise your staff with meaningful small celebrations. Go to their room and celebrate them about something you saw them do well that aligns with the school vision in front of their students.  Sometimes this is much better and more sustainable than those fattening donuts you spent money on.
• Be super visible! In front of the school before school.  In the cafeteria.  In the hallways constantly.  I know you have meetings, and that’s ok…Move them around so people can see your smiling face.
• Folks who have a Negative Nancy complex should be told they are negative to their face. Yes, this can be controversial.  But if you want to Champion Your Culture you have to let them know.  Be professional, be kind, but be serious.  Let them know you do not appreciate it.
• Spend time with students. Go into classrooms with them.  Sit and shoot the breeze with them at lunch. Go to their events.  If the students celebrate the work of the school and how the leader supports them it will cascade through the school.
• Exercise tough love with your students. Our precious students become more excited when Spring is in the air.  Having a lack of discipline on your campus can wreck your culture.  Love the students, but ensure that all student behavior issues are taking care of.  Discipline issues need to be taken care of quickly with follow up to the teacher.
• Don’t forget to have fun! The entire school community should see you having fun.  If you look tired and beat down, then the school will look tired and beat down.  So have fun!

This is only a small list of things you can do to ensure that you Champion Your Culture.  There are many other things that can be listed to improve school culture during the tough times.  Being a campus administrator is a great job filled with unique challenges but with the right care many lives can be changed.