As an educator, you are the de facto leader in your classroom. Students view you as an authority figure, someone to help them learn, help them grow, and help them reach academic goals. The culture you create drives instruction and reflects the principles you value most. 

A positive culture, when crafted with purpose, improves each student’s success rate and inspires all stakeholders. Consequently, as each person transitions into the next challenge—academic or otherwise—a positive culture serves as the catalyst to usher in new ideas. 

Listed below are five techniques leaders can apply to facilitate a positive culture.

1. Share Your Vision 

As the one in charge of your classroom, do your students understand the vision for the course? Have you clearly defined expectations? Articulate your vision with students. Providing a roadmap makes it easy for stakeholders to trust the leader. Set the bar high, and explain the importance of high standards to everyone in the room. Define those characteristics necessary for success. Buy-in is best achieved when goals and motives are transparent within the entire organization.

Sure, sharing your vision can be daunting at first. But with time, it is a liberating experience. Empower your students. Carve out time for them to identify their own goals for the course. Consider incorporating some of their ideas, as this strengthens bonds within the entire group. 

2. Implement Small Changes 

Most people view change as a scary concept, but it shouldn’t be. As an organization grows, it naturally evolves. Leaders must be selective when making changes. Beware of manipulating too many variables at once, as determining exact cause and effect relationships can be challenging with multiple new ideas. 

Instead, pinpoint just one item per semester for change. Once you implement the change, provide time to observe and evaluate the modification. Does data support this change in a positive way? Does it reinforce the long-term goals of your group? Let evidence direct your decision-making. As the leader, you control which modifications are implemented, and this profoundly impacts the culture. 

3. Value the Present 

Making connections is key to keeping morale high in the classroom. Leaders create a sense of unity by using the pronouns us and we. Subtle word choices create a community and inform your current students of their significance.

Good leaders value their audience, but great leaders greet them, understand them, and reveal empathy. A quick good morning and casual conversation to a student builds rapport. Why not ask a student’s take on the class or a specific activity? Anecdotal evidence provides insight and a contrast to the educator perspective. 

Have you “always done things this way?” Beware of nostalgia if it doesn’t support your organization’s current value system. Eliminate references to the past: last year, last semester, etc. Focus on the current group of students. Develop the class identity, and build a positive culture. 

4. Model Desirable Behaviors 

Who do you admire as a leader? Look outside your building to select leadership characteristics you covet and also want your students to mimic. Whether you are in education, athletics, or sales, there are leadership traits that transcend specialty.

Want your students to use logic and self-regulate? Leaders must avoid impulsive decisions and use sound judgement. Want your students to be ambassadors for your organization? Mentor others, share with peers, and consider hosting professional development sessions. Want your students to disconnect from technology once in a while? Set clear boundaries on email correspondence, and implement analog activities using markers and poster boards. 

5. Learn from Mentors

There’s no better teacher than experience. Connecting with a mentor accelerates the growth of your organization’s culture. Mentors have insight into solving problems, navigating growth, and managing the work-life balance. Mentors can be found in your building, on your campus, or in your town. Having trouble identifying a trusted mentor in your town? Consider taking part in a professional development session or viewing an online webinar. 

As your organization grows, and the culture improves, there will be different items that need your attention. You may seek out new experiences to help develop your classroom and move forward personally. Don’t be afraid to review your goals intermittently and revise as needed. A mentor is a great sounding board as you think through the next logical steps for your organization. 

Which traits are the mark of a positive culture? How do you build this within your organization? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment in the space below, and I will be sure to reply.