Tweaking the master schedule, completing compliance paperwork, making last-minute teacher hires—those are all the things that you have to do as an administrator. But there’s another crucial aspect of your job. Obviously, the most important role of a school is to create an environment where students can learn and succeed. This is likely to happen when there is a cohesive, fun, and healthy staff committed to that goal. So it’s also important to go above the call of duty and help create a thriving staff culture. Here are a few ideas for what you can do to build staff culture at the beginning of the year.

1. Have a cookout away from school.

Invite your entire staff over to your house or a park for a cookout. Culture and community are everything, and you can never underestimate the power of food! Build your staff up with an informal time full of food, family, and fun. There is a reason why this is the first item on this list: Building and growing relationships with your staff now will lead to the family atmosphere that you need in your school. Think of it as deposits in your relationship bank that you will withdraw later when something difficult comes up….

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