School climate comes down to a few important elements. Engagement, Empowerment (and autonomy), Inclusivity (and equity), and Environment. The list may be easy to come up with, but the work to create a positive and inclusive school climate is hard. It takes work, and one conversation at a time can either help make deposits in the emotional bank account of staff (Covey) or create a series of withdrawals.

Sean Slade (ASCD Whole Child) and I recently wrote an arias for ASCD called School Climate Change: How Do I Build a Positive Environment for Learning? We both are members of the National School Climate Council, and believe that in order to increase student academic growth, as well as social emotional growth, school leaders have to start with the climate of their school.

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