Fueling a Positive School Culture

Many things come together to create a great school community with lasting impact. The physical space itself must feel safe, engaging, and comfortable, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle.

• It’s the warm feeling you get when you walk in the door.
• It’s the friendly face that greets you with a genuine smile.
• It’s the listening ear when you need it the most.
• And it’s the inspiring energy of being surrounded by people who love what they do and thrive on sharing that joy with others.

Each year, Learning Care Group (LCG) holds bi-annual Teacher In-Service Training days to provide our early education teams with best practices, helpful resources, and motivational messages. Our theme for the October 2024 session is The Power of All: Nurturing Excellence Through Communication and Critical Thinking. The environment we aim to create in our 1,150+ schools largely depends on the staff’s ability to be upbeat, welcoming, inclusive, and knowledgeable.

LCG is thrilled to invite keynote speaker Dr. Jim Van Allan, President of the Energy Bus for Schools program, to share his insight with our 24K+ employees. Van Allan leads the effort designed to give schools the blueprint and framework needed for creating a positive school culture. He is also co-author of the complementary book The Energy Bus for Schools: 7 Ways to Improve Your School Culture, Remove Negativity, Energize Your Teachers, and Empower Your Students.

The book aligns with Dr. Van Allan’s commitment (and ours!) to coaching and training people on how to successfully implement a positive mindset through teamwork and communication. The Energy Bus approach is designed to motivate everyone—from the management team and teachers to the support staff, parents, and students. Each person plays a vital role in building a sense of unity in the school community so everyone can grow, learn, and thrive—together.

A few key takeaways and action items include:

• Thriving during times of change
• Communication to strengthen relationships
• Proven strategies to empower staff and students
• Building a connected team
• Developing a positive mindset
• Implementing best practices to energize teachers and students
• Removing negativity that sabotages morale and culture
• Rediscovering the joy and excitement of being in education

Teachers who have implemented the Energy Bus for Schools program say it fuels an energetic atmosphere rooted in optimism, kindness, and respect. They believe teaching children how to view life through a positive lens is just as important as teaching them essential academic skills. The approach naturally supports critical social-emotional development too.

Your mindset is everything! It’s also a choice.

By inviting Dr. Van Allan to share his insight and expertise, we hope to inspire a rich, collaborative culture across LCG that feels both enthusiastic and meaningful. We want each student, family member, and employee to look forward to coming to school each day and enjoy being part of a village that is making a lasting difference.

Want to come along for the ride? Share your positive energy and passion for early education with our team! Apply today.

Explore more resources online:

• The Energy Bus for Schools Program
• The The Energy Bus for Schools: 7 Ways to Improve Your School Culture, Remove Negativity, Energize Your Teachers, and Empower Your Students
• The Energy Bus for Kids: A Story About Staying Positive and Overcoming Challenges