Kicking Off the School Year: Make Your First Meetings Matter!

Hey there, leaders! As we stare down a new school year, there's an undeniable buzz in the air – a mix of excitement, a little bit of nerves, and a whole lot of "let's do this!" Today, we're zooming in on something super important for getting the year started right: those first staff meetings. Be honest, sometimes they feel like just a long list of announcements, a mountain of info you have to get through. But I'm here to tell you, as a school leader, these aren't just meetings. They're your golden ticket, your best chance to do something way more powerful: to build a real, solid team and spark those relationships that are the backbone of a truly positive and productive school year.

Hey there, leaders! As we stare down a new school year, there's an undeniable buzz in the air – a mix of excitement, a little bit of nerves, and a whole lot of "let's do this!" Today, we're zooming in on something super important for getting the year started right: those first staff meetings. Be honest, sometimes they feel like just a long list of announcements, a mountain of info you have to get through. But I'm here to tell you, as a school leader, these aren't just meetings. They're your golden ticket, your best chance to do something way more powerful: to build a real, solid team and spark those relationships that are the backbone of a truly positive and productive school year.

Why These First Meetings Are Absolutely CRUCIAL

So, why should we care so much about making these initial gatherings more than just "info dumps"? Because the start of the school year is this unique moment to define your school's culture, set the tone, and, most importantly, lay down a foundation of trust and shared purpose. Think about it: your staff is coming back from summer break, hopefully recharged and ready to go. This isn't just about telling them what they need to know; it's about making them feel something. It's about getting them excited, showing them how much you value them, and building that sense that "we're all in this together." As the amazing Elena Aguilar (2020) talks about in her work, "Learning is the primary work of all teams." That means your early meetings should be all about collective learning and connecting, not just you talking at them. When your team feels engaged, respected, and truly connected to each other and to you, they'll be tougher when things get hard, more creative in the classroom, and genuinely invested in everyone's success. If you miss this chance, you end up with disengaged staff who feel like they're just "being talked at," and let's be real, no one wants that kind of vibe in their school.

From "Dull" to "Dynamic": How to Jazz Up Your Meetings

Okay, so how do we flip the script on those pre-service meetings? It's all about shifting from just "telling" people stuff to truly engaging and empowering them. First, make sure you start with connection, not content. Don't kick things off with the heaviest agenda item; instead, lead with a relationship-building activity. This isn't just a fluffy icebreaker; it's a real invitation for people to see each other as humans, not just colleagues. Another powerful method is to let them help build the agenda. Imagine asking your staff, "What do you think we need to talk about?" This collaborative agenda setting immediately shows you value their expertise and gets them invested. We should also strive to get them talking in small groups. Break things down and use small group work and discussion to make sure every single voice gets heard and every perspective is valued. No more one person dominating the room! Fourth, you absolutely must celebrate, celebrate, celebrate! This one's non-negotiable. Always, always make time for celebrations and affirmations. Shout out the good stuff, acknowledge hard work. It's a game-changer for morale. Finally, walk the talk by using active learning! We want our teachers to use engaging strategies in their classrooms, right? So, let's model active learning in our meetings! Don't just lecture; make it interactive.

Let's Get Specific: Examples You Can Use NOW

Alright, let's make these ideas real with some concrete examples for your pre-service days. For relationship-building, instead of a stale icebreaker, try a "school scavenger hunt." Put staff in small teams and have them find cool things about your school, or even identify key people and resources. It builds familiarity and teamwork. Or, a "two truths and a lie" where folks share fun personal tidbits – it helps colleagues see each other beyond their job titles. For collaborative agenda setting, a week or two before your first full staff meeting, send out a super short survey. Ask something like, "What are the top three questions you have for the start of the school year?" or "What topic do you think would help us most in the first few weeks?" Then, actually use their answers to shape your agenda! And make sure to say, "Hey, thanks for your input! We built this agenda based on what you told us." When it comes to small group work and discussion, if you need to introduce a new school policy, don't just stand up and read it. Break staff into small groups, give each group a specific section of the policy to read and discuss. Then, have them summarize key takeaways or brainstorm potential challenges. They'll understand it better and feel more ownership. For celebrations and affirmations, dedicate the first 5-10 minutes of every meeting to "Shout Outs" or "Bright Spots," where staff can publicly recognize a colleague for something awesome they did, no matter how small. It builds a powerful culture of appreciation. And for active learning strategies, if you're rolling out a new teaching strategy, instead of just explaining it, have your staff do a quick mini-lesson or a "think-pair-share" activity that uses the strategy. Show, don't just tell! As the brilliant Stephen Covey said, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." That applies to your staff too.

Beyond the Meeting: Making It Stick All Year

So, you've rocked those first meetings. How do you make sure that positive vibe and team-building momentum lasts? It comes down to being intentional and following through. First, prioritize connection over quantity. You probably have a zillion things you could say, but what absolutely must be said in person to ensure a smooth start? What can be an email, a shared document, or discussed in smaller team meetings? Keep that main meeting focused on stuff that needs real discussion, collaboration, and relationship building. Secondly, be the culture you want to see. Your attitude, your genuine listening, your willingness to be a little vulnerable – these are powerful signals. Show up with enthusiasm, empathy, and respect for their time and expertise. Thirdly, ask for feedback (and use it!). After those first meetings, send out a super quick, anonymous survey. Ask, "What worked well?" and "What could be improved?" This shows you value their perspective and are committed to getting better. It builds psychological safety. And fourthly, follow through on what you say. If discussions lead to action items, make sure they're clearly assigned and tracked. This builds trust and proves that the time spent in the meeting was genuinely productive. Remember, these early meetings aren't just checkmarks on a list. They're foundational experiences. They're your chance to show, without saying a word, that this isn't just a job for your staff – it's a shared mission, a supportive community, and a place where everyone's contribution truly matters. By investing in making these first gatherings engaging and relationship-focused, you're not just kicking off a school year; you're building a resilient, collaborative, and ultimately, high-performing team.

I hope these ideas help you transform those first staff meetings into powerful sparks for team building and a fantastic school culture. What's one change you're excited to try in your next meeting?

Adam Busch, lead contributor at AWB Education, brings a quarter-century of educational experience to his writing. His background spans diverse roles from classroom teacher and coach to building principal and District Office Director.