“Culture is everything. If your culture is not right, nothing else is going to be right. You can have the best curriculum; you can have the best facilities, but if your culture is toxic, people are not going to want to be there.” — Delana Carter   Culture is a huge component of every school. There can be a huge variety of climates — from a disorganized or less-than-welcoming school to a very connected and vibrant community. So how do educators cultivate an environment in which both students and educators love to come to school?    In this episode of the Teacher Edition podcast, Jenny sits down with Delana Carter, who has a passion to create a welcoming environment for staff, parents, and students. She goes above and beyond to cultivate a positive experience for all involved at her school.   Ideas Discussed: Elevating staff morale through practical tips Building positive relationships with parents using unique strategies Helping students be successful every day in the classroom   Delana shares many other practical ideas to help get started and continue to boost the morale and climate of the school. You can find many options to implement in this episode. Remember, you don’t have to change your whole school tomorrow — start small, and start with those closest to you. You CAN make a difference in your school’s climate.   Every day in the classroom is YOUR day to impact and inspire through God’s power and grace working in you. Go do what God has called you to do!     About Our Guest   Delana Carter has degrees in elementary education and language and literacy, and she currently serves as elementary supervisor at Calvary Christian School in King, NC.  She has taught elementary and community college and has been in both public and Christian education.  In 2022, she started the Student Success program at Calvary Christian with the goal of helping the school climate, improving teacher appreciation, and helping high school students prepare for post-secondary education, either by trades or by earning a college degree. She found that her role as Student Success Director was leading her to deeper involvement in the personal lives of students, so after additional training, she became a youth mental health coach two years ago. In addition to now also being elementary supervisor, Delana coaches middle school girls’ basketball alongside her husband, who is the athletic director and varsity boys’ basketball coach. She and her husband both graduated from Calvary Christian, and they have three daughters.   Sponsored By  Now, more than ever, children need a learning experience that enables them to think critically, advances them academically, and encourages them to live biblically. BJU Press serves Christian educators with academically rigorous resources written from a biblical worldview to prepare the next generation to be salt and light in society. We are committed to doing everything we can so Christian education can do everything it must. Visit our website today or contact your Territory Manager to learn more. [bjupress.com]