How to Build an Intentional School Culture | A Conversation With Joel Abel

In this episode, we dive deep into school culture with Joel Abel, author of Teacher First Management. Joel shares practical insights on how to build and maintain intentional school culture, introducing his culture feedback loop model that connects results, actions, and beliefs. We explore why simply mandating actions isn't enough and how to create experiences that genuinely shift teacher beliefs and behaviors.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why culture happens whether you plan it or not
• The culture feedback loop model
• How beliefs drive actions in school settings
• Leveraging diversity in international schools
• Supporting different teacher motivations
• Moving beyond student-centered to teacher-first management
• Creating sustainable cultural change

Resources Mentioned:

• Teacher First Management - Joel's book
• The Culture Map by Erin Meyer

Episode Partners

The University of Warwick's International Programmes | Learn more at warwick.ac.uk

The International Curriculum Association | Learn more at internationalcurriculum.com.

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.

About the host

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative and hosts the chat-topping school leadership podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, he worked as Regional Head of Teaching Development for Nord Anglia Education. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' As a CollectivEd Fellow, Teacher Development Trust Associate, and TEDx speaker, Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.

You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com

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