Elevate School Culture Through Appreciation

Accelerate Your Performance

Accelerate Your Performance
Elevate School Culture Through Appreciation
Jul 07, 2025 Season 7 Episode 396

Principal Jeannie Clark and second-grade teacher Ms. Laressa Finney share how Francis Case Elementary is taking gratitude to the next level. Listen as they join Dr. Janet Pilcher to explore the impact of recognition and appreciation on school culture, relationships, and morale. Learn how small, intentional gestures create powerful ripple effects that benefit students, parents, and the entire school community.

This episode addresses questions such as: 

  • What role does recognition play in retaining employees and creating a positive work environment?
  • How can leaders effectively build relationships with their staff and stay focused on positive aspects within their schools and districts?
  • How does attending a school with a strong culture of gratitude positively affect students?

Destination High Performance K12 Leadership Conference: Go here to learn more and register.

Recommended Resources:  Strengthen Your District with Rounding and Recognition, How Gratitude Anchors Organizations, Strengthen Your Team by Hardwiring Gratitude

Read and study: Each episode of the podcast aligns with the tactics and principles of our host's book, Hardwiring Excellence in Education: The Nine Principles Framework. In conjunction with that book, you can join the mission to create great places to work, learn, and succeed by leading a book study with your leadership team for Hardwiring Excellence in Education. Our free, on-demand book study offers additional tools and resources created by Dr. Pilcher and our Studer Education leader coaches. Each chapter in the study also features exclusive interviews with influential education leaders sharing how they’re making a difference in their districts and beyond.

Order book here.

Sign up for book study here.

Episode Artwork Elevate School Culture Through Appreciation 28:18 Episode Artwork Imperfect Leaders, Powerful Lessons 22:49 Episode Artwork Strengthen Your District with Rounding and Recognition 25:00 Episode Artwork Empowered Leaders and Aligned Values 19:33 Episode Artwork The Relentless Pursuit of Consistent Growth 21:33 Episode Artwork Remember Your Why: From Struggle to Purpose 26:20 Episode Artwork Convert Surveys to Solutions 21:25 Episode Artwork Lead Like a Startup 11:31 Episode Artwork Measure Impact to Guide Improvement 20:03 Episode Artwork The Four Leadership Essentials 16:29 Episode Artwork Leadership & Data: An Unlikely Power Couple — Studer Education on 'Voices United in Education' 21:21 Episode Artwork Leadership Development is a Must-Have 25:23 Episode Artwork How Short Cycles of Improvement Drive Change 20:41 Episode Artwork Transform District Culture with People-First Strategies 22:24 Episode Artwork Achieve Operational Efficiency with Process Improvement 25:48 Episode Artwork The Culture-Strategy Equation: Reflections from the AASA Conference 17:57 Episode Artwork Drive Input to Action 6:28 Episode Artwork Fuel Success with a Feedback Loop 20:34 Episode Artwork Strengthen Your Team by Hardwiring Gratitude 6:20 Episode Artwork From a System of Schools to a School System 26:43 Episode Artwork Drive Student Achievement with Scorecards 20:17 Episode Artwork Leaders as Collaborative Teammates 16:05 Episode Artwork Leaders as Lifelong Learners 18:17 Episode Artwork Create Momentum with Short Cycles of Improvement 30:27 Episode Artwork Building Leadership Capacity Through Daily Huddles 23:28