Vancouver Public Schools was selected to receive a Federal School Climate Transformation (SCT) Grant at specific campuses to increase student engagement, establish clear culture, and encourage positive behaviors. As Grant manager, I worked with stakeholders to clearly define our school culture and then implement a clear communications strategy to encourage and share these values. This yearslong, multitiered effort required focused change management skills and sophisticated content strategy, along with gaining expertise in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and social-emotional learning best practices.

My primary responsibility was establishing a clearly branded school culture. To facilitate this work, I organized a bimonthly school Climate & Culture Committee, and included diverse staff, student changemakers, and administrative team members. This group helped me collect data I then analyzed to identify the values and messaging that best represented our school’s mission. Once a clear set of values were established, I oversaw the creation of branded content, training materials for staff and students, and a system for positively celebrating those demonstrating our culture within the school community.

As our school rebrand rolled out, I continued to audit school messaging for its adherence to core values and brand voice standards. I measured the effectiveness of my content by conducting quarterly feedback surveys with all stakeholders. I also interviewed students directly about their perceptions of our more deliberately defined culture.

Within two years, the school adopted a clear set of values-driven behavior standards, defined an updated mission statement, and initiated deliberate and thoughtful bimonthly lesson activities that focused upon learning and celebrating positive behaviors at school.

This role required that I frequently develop and present professional development content to staff and students to facilitate positive shifts in our school climate. Other hands-on work included being trained by the Clark County Juvenile Court as a Restorative Practices facilitator. To resolve conflict and administer appropriate discipline, I frequently conducted whole-class and small group restorative community circle discussions and victim impact meetings. Leading staff workshops on Restorative Practices allowed me to model these skills and train others in this schoolwide best practice.