Finding support during difficult times can bring a sense of relief. Schools are more than places of learning—they are communities that provide stability and assistance in times of need. By offering guidance and access to helpful resources, educators help students, staff, and families navigate life’s toughest moments.

Schools that leverage both the Four Pillars of the Community Schools Model and the Inflexion Navigation Tool will be better positioned to cultivate learning environments where every student thrives. By crosswalking these frameworks, schools can move beyond isolated initiatives and toward a cohesive, strategic approach that integrates community assets, supports holistic student development, and fosters sustainable change.

To truly help schools thrive, leaders need to think differently, act boldly, and embrace transformation. That’s where these five critical shifts come in. They’re not about working harder; they’re about working smarter—breaking old habits, reimagining possibilities, and creating lasting change.

Learn how a holistic vision of readiness supports students with disabilities through strength-based, inclusive practices.

In the heart of Sherman County, a remarkable process is unfolding—one that not only brings the community together but also empowers students to shape the guiding principles of their schools. Led by Superintendent Julia Fall and facilitated with thoughtful support from staff, this community engagement initiative exemplifies how leadership, listening, and intentionality can pave the way for meaningful change.

The Community Schools Model offers a transformative solution to the systemic challenges facing education. By addressing education inequities through four foundational pillars—Integrated Student Supports, Enhanced and Expanded Learning Time and Opportunities, Active Family and Community Partnership, and Collaborative Leadership and Practices—the model reimagines schools as equitable, inclusive, and holistic systems.

Complex change in schools is both necessary and challenging. Drawing on Mary Lippitt’s Integrated Change Management Model, this resource explores actionable strategies for managing complex change effectively in schools.

The Navigation Tool empowers community school leaders by providing clear, actionable guidance that translates Capacity Building Strategies—defining what needs to be done—into practical, step-by-step processes, showing how to effectively implement and sustain those strategies for transformative outcomes.

Your students’ stories are already unfolding in classrooms, sports fields, extracurricular activities, and the community. How can you collect and celebrate these stories to bring your school’s mission to life? Let their voices drive your shared vision of readiness—one story at a time.

Understanding the root cause of student behavior is essential for creating meaningful interventions. By focusing on function-based behavior, educators can uncover the purpose behind actions and respond with empathy. Examining patterns and providing targeted support empowers students to grow and thrive within a supportive school community.

Meetings that start and end with purpose don’t just feel better—they produce better outcomes. Openers and closers create a foundation of trust, engagement, and alignment, which leads to more innovative ideas, stronger relationships, and actionable results. When participants leave a meeting feeling inspired and connected, they carry that energy into their work, their relationships, and even their personal lives. It’s a ripple effect that starts with a simple but powerful choice: to invest in the moments that prime people to think differently, share openly, and connect authentically.

Building consensus as a school leader is crucial for fostering collaboration, trust, and shared ownership of decisions and direction. By involving stakeholders in the decision-making process, leaders create a sense of unity and alignment toward common goals, improving the chances of success for initiatives and fostering a positive, inclusive school culture.

It is critical for school leaders to understand the importance of consensus building within school communities, process feedback, and effectively communicate with stakeholders throughout the decision-making processes. This protocol is designed to gather warm, cool, and cold feedback from your school community, which can be used to “tune” or adapt the decisions and approaches you move forward with.

No matter our instructional, distributed, or transformational leadership strengths their value does not address the change agent’s mortal enemy, the status quo. Foot soldiers in the status quo army are the purveyors of “No!” No matter how promising an idea, the answer is always the same—no.

Open lines of communication to create brave spaces for your staff, students, and community to share their excitement, hesitations, and to crowdsource the genius in the room. These protocols support organic conversations as you navigate changes or challenges.

During our May Counterpart meetings, we asked folks to share what they have been engaging with recently. Below is a list of all the resources shared by our incredible community, offering a taste of the diverse and inspiring content they’re currently exploring. This list has something for everyone: from thought-provoking articles to captivating podcasts to must-watch documentaries. So, take a peek, pick your poison, and get ready to dive into something fantastic!

You’ve likely heard the idea that employees don’t necessarily leave companies—they leave when they don’t feel supported by their leaders. At the heart of effective leadership is the ability not only to attract great talent but to nurture and retain it. And while compensation and benefits are important, what truly keeps people engaged is feeling valued—both for what they do and for who they are.

Foster psychological safety through clear, intentional communication and shared mental models.

Your beliefs shape your leadership—guiding how you decide, support your team, and drive meaningful change.

Not all great leaders are the same or lead in the same way. Educational leaders, specifically, face many different responsibilities and challenges that other leaders may not. However, there are some core qualities that transcend the time, place, and nature of leadership work. Consider these 7 Great Leadership Qualities to strengthen your own leadership skills while fostering a more inclusive workplace.

The role of educator—and educational leader—takes heart. And courage. But did you know that courage isn’t one-size-fits-all? Not only are there different types of courage, but you can also develop your own personal levels of courage through reflection and practice. Consider these 6 Types of Courage for Inclusive Workplaces to strengthen your own resolve as a leader and help model a more confident and inclusive workplace.

This brief, yet powerful, closing activity not only offers a clear end to your gathering/meeting/training/activity/etc., but it provides participants the opportunity to reflect on their experience in ways they may not consciously be aware they need, but that they do nonetheless. This versatile closing activity is fantastic for students, staff, leadership teams, peer groups, etc.

In today’s world, students need more than academic knowledge to succeed—they need the social and emotional skills to navigate challenges, build relationships, and grow with confidence. Embedding social and emotional learning (SEL) into curriculum helps students develop empathy, resilience, and self-awareness alongside academic skills, creating classrooms where all learners can thrive.