Shifting School Culture, One Conversation at a Time

  Earlier this year, I set a simple goal: to meet with a small group of colleagues during lunch or planning periods to share stories about cultural misunderstandings or communication challenges we’ve faced at work. The goal wasn’t to train or fix anything, it was just to create a safe, informal space for honest conversation and reflection. I hoped that by sharing our stories, we could build empathy and start modeling more culturally responsive practices in our school.

While I didn’t end up hosting those planned lunch meetings, the spirit of the goal still came to life. Over the past few months, I’ve had deep, meaningful conversations with at least six different teachers about cultural tensions and the importance of understanding different perspectives. These talks didn’t happen in a conference room, they happened in hallways, during transitions, after class, or while packing up at the end of the day. And even though they were casual, they were powerful. They reminded me that real change doesn’t always begin with formal training. Sometimes, it starts with a shared story and someone willing to listen.

This experience reshaped how I think about leadership. I’m realizing that leadership isn’t just about structure or position, it’s about creating space. Moving forward, I want to keep growing in my role as an instructional leader by helping other teachers bring culturally responsive strategies into their practice. One of my goals next school year is to share quick, five-minute strategies during our team meetings, small ideas rooted in compassion, research, and lived experience.

We don't always need a microphone or a meeting to lead. Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation and the courage to keep it going.