Let’s be real, working in a school is not easy. Whether you’re teaching in the classroom, leading a department, running the front office, or keeping everything running behind the scenes, the work is constant, the pressure is high, and the emotional load can feel overwhelming some days.
But here’s what we often forget: the culture we create together, how we treat each other, support each other, and show up for each other. It can either wear us down or lift us up. And when leadership and wellness are genuinely part of that culture, schools can become places where everyone and not just students can grow, flourish, and feel like they belong.
So, What Is Workplace Culture in a School?
It’s not just policies or slogans. It’s the feel of the place.
Workplace culture is about the tone in staff meetings, the hallway conversations, the way feedback is given, and whether people feel safe speaking up. Do teachers feel appreciated or just evaluated? Do people have each other’s backs? Can you be honest about being overwhelmed, or do you have to pretend everything's fine?
Culture shows up in a thousand little moments, how we greet each other in the morning, how we respond when someone makes a mistake, how we celebrate wins and hold space for tough days.
And it’s everyone’s job to shape that culture, not just the person at the top.
Leadership: It’s About Presence, Not Just Position
In schools, leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about how you show up.
The best leaders, whether they’re principals, coordinators, or that one colleague everyone trusts, lead with empathy. They check in when report cards are due or when the day just feels long. They listen. They acknowledge the effort behind the scenes. And they don’t just hand out tasks, they ask, “How can I help?”
Great leaders don’t need to have all the answers. They just need to make people feel seen, heard, and trusted. They set the tone for a culture where everyone can do their best work without fear of being judged or burned out.
Wellness Isn’t a Perk, It’s a Priority
Let’s be honest: “wellness” gets thrown around a lot, but in schools, it needs to mean something deeper. Wellness isn’t about adding a yoga session after a 12-hour workday. It’s about creating conditions where people aren’t running on empty all the time.
That means things like:
When schools make space for staff to take care of themselves not just as professionals, but as people that’s when wellness starts to stick.
It’s All Connected
Here’s the beautiful part: when leaders prioritize well-being, culture improves. When culture improves, people feel safe to lead, grow, and collaborate. And when people are well, they bring their best to the students and to each other.
It’s a cycle. A good one. But it doesn’t happen by accident. It takes listening. It takes vulnerability. It takes people who are willing to say, “Let’s do this differently, and better.”
Schools are people places. Behind every lesson plan, every schedule, every clipboard and committee, are human beings trying to do meaningful work. If we take care of those people, really take care of them, everything else gets better.
Because when the adults in the building feel supported, connected, and whole, that energy flows straight to the kids.
And that’s the kind of school culture that doesn’t just survive, it changes lives.
About the Author
With over 37 years in education and leadership, currently serving as an Academic Consultant specializing in teacher training and international curriculum implementation. Contributions as an IB Evaluation Leader include supporting inclusive learning environments and advancing academic excellence in collaboration with educators worldwide.
Expertise spans curriculum design, strategic planning, and leadership across IB, ICSE, CBSE, and CAIE boards. A proven track record of mentoring teachers and leading evaluations reflects a commitment to fostering impactful learning communities through innovation and strategic initiatives.