What we learned during Breakout EDU’s recent leadership webinar
Creating a thriving school culture isn’t a one-time initiative—it’s an ongoing effort built on trust, connection, and shared experiences. That message came through loud and clear during our recent webinar, Building a Thriving School Culture, the first in Breakout EDU’s 2025 leadership webinar series.
Hosted by Patti Duncan, Director of Advocacy and Engagement at Breakout EDU, the webinar brought together four inspiring educators from across the country:
Chris Sepersky, an elementary principal from South Milwaukee, WI
Melissa Rosen, a middle school tech/STEM teacher and MTSS Tier 1 Coordinator from Libertyville, IL
Jennifer Cronk, a professional developer and doctoral student focused on school culture in New York
Amy Tucker, a middle school teacher and advisory leader from Reedfield, ME
Together, they shared real-world examples, hard-won insights, and powerful reminders that school culture is built one conversation, one decision, and one act of care at a time.
Here are five key takeaways from that powerful conversation:
1. A Thriving School Culture Starts with Teachers, Staff, and School Leaders
While much of the conversation centered around student engagement and social-emotional growth, all four panelists agreed: you can’t build a strong student culture without first supporting the adults in the building.
Chris Sepersky put it best: “Student culture never outpaces adult culture.” He shared how his team designs meaningful experiences for educators that mirror the type of learning they want to see in classrooms. By creating space for teachers to collaborate, explore, and take risks, school leaders can foster the kind of environment where both staff and students thrive.
Melissa Rosen echoed this sentiment, describing how initiatives like staff raffles, shout-outs, and casual hallway check-ins help build morale. “Adults are learners too,” she reminded us. “And if you can’t help the adults in your building have a thriving culture, you’re never going to be successful with students.”
2. Leadership Means Listening and Modeling the Way
Panelists emphasized that school culture isn't about quick fixes or flashy programs—it’s about relationships, consistency, and the willingness to lead with humility.
Jennifer Cronk shared a powerful quote: “Culture eats initiatives for breakfast.” She explained how leaders must first earn trust before introducing change. In her work with districts to revitalize stagnant teacher cultures, she starts by listening and doing the hard work of breaking down fear. Her approach? Model what you expect to see. If you want teachers to try something new, you have to be willing to try it too.
Chris also described how his school sends staff into the community for professional learning experiences—visiting children’s museums or nature preserves to experience learning from the student perspective. It’s a strategy that not only re-energizes staff, but also reinforces the values of exploration and collaboration.
3. Peer-to-Peer Support Is Culture in Action
While leadership plays a vital role, culture truly lives in the everyday interactions between educators.
Melissa, who juggles multiple roles in her school, shared the importance of simply checking in on colleagues. Whether it’s noticing when someone’s having a tough day or running last-minute materials around the building, those small acts of kindness send a big message: “You’re not alone.”
She also described her school’s tradition of passing along “positive awards” at staff meetings—a WWE-style belt and a crystal hornet trophy that gets handed from one teacher to another. It’s lighthearted, but meaningful. “We want the same things we give our students—recognition, appreciation, and a sense of belonging.”
4. Connection Builds Trust—One Conversation at a Time
For those wondering how to support colleagues who seem withdrawn or resistant, the panel had great advice: don’t start with “How can I help?” Instead, start by connecting.
Jennifer shared her strategy of learning about teachers' interests—like spotting a football team logo in a classroom—and using that as an entry point for conversation. Once rapport is built, it becomes easier to highlight their strengths and offer support. “People who are shut down often feel overlooked,” she said. “Find something they’re doing well, and celebrate it.”
Amy added that humor, empathy, and good timing also help. In her role as a tech integrator, she listens closely when teachers vent frustrations—then follows up later with a small solution or resource. “When someone sees that you remembered their challenge and came back with a tool to help, it builds trust,” she said.
5. Shared Experiences Bring Culture to Life
One of the most inspiring parts of the webinar was hearing how each panelist uses collaborative learning experiences to strengthen school culture. While these moments often look like fun and games on the surface, they serve a deeper purpose: connection, engagement, and joy.
Breakout EDU came up often as a go-to tool for this work. From sixth-grade advisory challenges in Maine to teacher team-building days in Wisconsin, panelists shared how these immersive, puzzle-based experiences spark meaningful collaboration. Whether students succeed at the challenge or not, they come away having worked together, practiced communication, and built confidence.
Amy noted how powerful it is to watch quiet students take the lead during a Breakout game, and then hear their peers reflect on those contributions. “Sometimes the kid in the corner solves the whole thing,” she said. “And for others to recognize that out loud—that’s where the culture shifts.”
Jennifer added that her school now keeps a rotation of Breakout EDU kits ready to go year-round. “There’s always a game cooking,” she laughed. “And every time, kids ask, ‘When are we doing this again?’ That tells you something.”
The Bottom Line: Culture Is Built, Not Bought
This webinar reminded us that building a thriving school culture isn’t about perfection. It’s about being present, paying attention, and showing up for one another—consistently.
Whether you’re a principal, classroom teacher, coach, or support staff member, you have a role in shaping the culture of your school. And often, it starts with something small: a question, a moment of reflection, a shared laugh, or a game that reminds students and staff alike that learning can be joyful.
We’re grateful to Jennifer, Melissa, Amy, and Chris for their wisdom and generosity, and we hope their stories inspire you as much as they inspired us.
Want more conversations like this?
This was just the first in Breakout EDU’s Leadership Series. Each month, we’ll host a new webinar focused on timely, real-world topics in education—designed to support school and district leaders in cultivating strong, connected communities.
📣 Don’t miss our next session: “Leading Through Uncertainty: How School Leaders Are Planning for What’s Next” happening Thursday, May 29th at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT. Register now to reserve your spot.
👉 Want to explore Breakout EDU today? Start your free trial and see how game-based learning can help foster connection, collaboration, and a sense of belonging.