Rooted in Kindness: Nurturing a Strong School Culture Together
A strong school culture doesn’t happen by accident. It is cultivated through intentional practices that center empathy, connection, and shared values. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore concrete strategies to strengthen school culture in ways that are authentic, sustainable, and rooted in care.
Designed to be both reflective and practical, this session models a professional learning experience that participants can take back and facilitate with their own teams. Through structured activities and guided discussion, participants will examine how everyday practices, such as staff rituals, leadership moves, and community norms, can build trust, belonging, and collective purpose.
Participants will leave with tools to assess their current school culture, identify areas for growth, and implement strategies that promote a more supportive and connected environment for both staff and students. Whether you're launching new initiatives or looking to deepen your current culture work, this session offers a replicable framework grounded in real school experience.
Presented by
Shelli Kurth
Chief Innovation Officer
Thrive
Shelli is the Chief Innovation Officer at Thrive. Shelli is an experienced school leader, nonprofit founder, grassroots organizer, school leader, and coach. Shelli’s passion for the people she serves has made her a sought-after coach, trainer, and consultant. She is also a national speaker and writer. She is driven by a deep belief in equity, access, and opportunity for all through the empowerment of individuals. Shelli brings intuition and joy to her work and is skilled at working through thorny relationships, creating consensus, and moving teams towards greater collaborative outcomes.
Sherri Morgan
Executive Director/ Superintendent
Long Valley Schools
Sherri moved to California in 1997 and has worked in charter schools ever since!
