Building a “Family-Like” School Culture “One Word” at a Time
Family Tradition
My family has a New Year’s Eve tradition. Every New Year's Eve, the five of us sit together around the kitchen table. We bring the following to the table that day: canvases, pencils, sharpies, colored pencils, paint, paintbrushes, and our “One Word” for the new year. We set the stage in early December by encouraging reflection on the current year and looking ahead to next year before bringing our “One Word” on New Year's Eve. Then, we enjoy time together on New Year’s Eve, sitting around the table, concluding one year, and preparing to head to the next. After we complete our canvases, we hang the five of them on the wall by the door where we exit and enter frequently throughout the day.
Many of you are probably familiar with the “One Word” concept, while others may not be, so here’s a brief overview. New Year’s resolutions often fail, but focusing on “One Word” helps people focus on what matters most. By selecting “One Word,” you decide where to focus your intentions and direct your attention throughout the year. The word is used to eliminate distractions and guide your thinking. Choosing “One Word” helps an individual focus on what matters most.
Why Not at School?
I had the privilege of meeting the legendary football coach, Tony Dungy, when he was the keynote speaker at a mentorship event. Dungy shared some of the best advice he ever received from his coach and mentor, Chuck Noll. Dungy shared that the first thing Coach Noll said to the team was:
“Men, I want to welcome you to the National Football League. You’re now going to be paid to play football, so that makes it your profession. But don’t make football your whole life. If you make football your whole life, you’re going to be disappointed.”
Most importantly, Coach Dungy shared that not only did Coach Noll emphasize the saying, “Don’t make football your whole life,” he modeled it and lived it out daily. We need to take that same mentality in our leadership. Creating a family-like culture in our schools where people are treated as just that: People.
As a building principal, I thought, why don’t I carry this “One Word” family tradition to the staff at school? One of my main goals as a school leader is to help others grow professionally and personally. Like the advice Tony Dungy received from Coach Noll, I don’t want the staff to make “school” their entire life. I love people and want to see them reach their full potential. Not only do I want to see staff reach their full potential, I also want them to be highly engaged in their work and highly satisfied in their personal lives. That’s what I want in my life and what I desire to model for the staff. I want the staff to take care of themselves and their loved ones and care for one another. I want to be right beside them every step of the way with support and encouragement. Don’t overcomplicate leadership; care for the people you lead.
Not only do I want to see staff reach their full potential, I also want them to be highly engaged in their work and highly satisfied in their personal lives. That’s what I want in my life and what I desire to model for the staff.
The end of a year and the beginning of a new year are great times to reflect, personally and professionally, it can also be a challenging time for many. I recognize the staff is comprised of human beings, all unique in their own ways, with their own life experiences shaping their perspectives. I want the staff to know that, first and foremost, I care about them as people, as mothers, fathers, spouses, friends, and children. I care about their hurts and suffering, and I care about their successes and accomplishments. I say it often: it’s the people who make a place special. I want people to feel that way.
Here’s What We Did
So, I decided to implement the “One Word” challenge with the entire staff at Providence Elementary School, and here’s how we did it:
At the beginning of December, I used a portion of the monthly faculty meeting to share about the “One Word” challenge for the new year. I encouraged the staff (that includes everyone: teachers, para educators, cafeteria workers, custodians, etc.) to reflect on 2023 and think ahead to 2024. It’s important to note that they were encouraged to think not just professionally at school but personally as well. I provided examples of words people choose and explained the purpose: New Year’s resolutions often fail, but focusing on One Word helps people focus on what matters most. By selecting “One Word,” you decide where to focus your intentions and direct your attention throughout the year. The word is used to eliminate distractions and guide your thinking. Choosing “One Word” helps an individual focus on what matters most.
Secondly, I shared the vision for the project within our school. These words would be displayed outside the classrooms and workspaces. I also told them that it was okay if they did not feel comfortable displaying their word.
I prepared a Google Form for staff members to submit their “One Word.” They could complete the Google Form as they landed on their word for the year. I shared this weekly in our staff newsletter. Here are the directions on the Google Form: As a follow-up to the faculty meeting, I'd like you to do the following throughout December: Reflect on 2023 and look ahead to 2024. As you look ahead to 2024, I want you to identify "One Word" for the year. This is a word that you will focus your intentions and direct your attention for the year (it can be personally, professionally, or both). The word can be used to eliminate distractions and guide your thinking. New Year's resolutions often fail, but focusing on One Word helps you focus on what matters most. We will then post those words outside of our classrooms and workspaces. Here are some examples to get you thinking: Intentional, Present, Connect, Family, Grace, Encourage, Positive, Discover, Play, Fun, and Confidence.
The initial thought was that we would put the submitted words on paper, print and laminate them, and hang them by their classrooms and workspaces. That idea would work out fine, however, over the holiday break, I decided on something different.
A portion of the holiday gift to each staff member was a journal to encourage daily reflection and journaling. The gift included the following message to encourage journaling and reflection:
There’s a wonderful quote, “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” As we approach a new year, we encourage you to make the time to write.
Write down your thoughts, and write down your feelings. Write down your worries and your fears. Write down what you’re thankful for and count your blessings. Write when life is going well. Write when life is hard. Write about your One Word for 2024. Whatever it may be, just write. Reflect, Plan, and Dream.
We are truly blessed to be part of the Providence Elementary Family.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I decided that at our opening faculty meeting when returning from break (January 3rd), we would come together as a school family (much like my family on New Year’s Eve) and have a mini New Year’s “party” to start the new year. I brought white cardstock paper and had the staff bring their favorite markers, colored pencils, etc. I ordered coffee and muffins from a local coffee shop, and the staff sat at tables side-by-side with one another in the library, creating their “One Word” poster. One of the main goals was to help the staff know that I care about them as people first and foremost. It can be an overwhelming week returning to school after a long break during the cold, dark winter months, and I wanted to set the tone for the second half of the school year. People first - personally and professionally and we are in this together! The words have already sparked some great conversation and connection amongst staff members.
We then took a staff picture together, holding up our “One Word” for the year. It’s always awesome to see the staff together in a picture! The picture reflects individuals with different areas of focus for the year, but ultimately with the same goal. Growing personally and professionally side-by-side with one another to be at our best for our families, the kids at school, and each other.
The office staff laminated the posters and returned them to the staff members to hang outside their classroom doors.
Throughout the rest of this school year and through the first part of next school year, we will keep our “One Word” at the forefront of the work we do and incorporate monthly check-ins and reflections.
Bonus! Some teachers are even implementing the “One Word” Challenge in their classrooms with the students!
Give it a Try
It might not be too late to give it a try for this year. If it is too late, look ahead to next year. I’d encourage you to try it with your staff and make it your own! You know the staff better than anyone else. Don’t rush it, though - the reflection time in December is paramount in the process. Maybe you can even look to implement it for the start of the school year and have staff members choose “One Word” for the school year.
It’s the “little” things that matter. To trust their leader, people have to know their leader and desire for their leader to know them. Relationships require time and effort - we must be intentional with our relationships. Show the staff that you care about them as people first and look to build a family-like school culture “One Word” at a time.
Education is hard work. Don’t forget to have fun!
For more ideas like this one, check out Zac’s new book, Leading with People: A Six Pillar Framework for Fruitful Leadership
Looking to have Zac as a speaker? Learn more HERE.
