The Yearbooking Report Podcast

It's an issue that plagues too many schools today - poor climate and culture, which then leads to problems like low morale, bullying, lack of relationships and poor performance. What is climate and culture anyway?

We talked with a Jostens Renaissance legend, Stand Tall Steve Bollar, who has been a leader on climate and culture for over two decades. A Renaissance Hall of Famer, Steve gets clinical in breaking down what school climate and culture really are, how to change them, how the Renaissance 6 R's formula can make that change, and other ideas to improve any school, any level. More from Steve at https://www.standtallsteve.com/.

Call this MUST HEAR PODCASTING if your school is struggling with these issues. Stand Tall Steve is one of the best, a great conversation...

What's it like to start using Jostens Renaissance ideas at a school? How to get that ball rolling? What's the impact on both students and staffulty (faculty and staff) to improve a school? What are ideas to use? We talked with Principal Eric Underhill of Carl Sandburg Middle School in Alexandria, VA - his school just began using Renaissance ideas in the 2024-25 school year and it immediately made a BIG difference in the life of their building, a very diverse community. Eric gives us the full rundown, all aspects - and what about Renaissance ideas at a MIDDLE school? How has that age group (and their teachers) reacted? HINT - really well actually, listen for the full story...

Teachers and students are interested in using Jostens Renaissance ideas - but what does this look like from the superintendent level, the top office?

We talked to superintendent Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder of Central Regional School District in New Jersey about that view. She's also a Jostens Renaissance Hall of Famer and the Renaissance Champion for the northeastern corner of the U.S. She's been using Renaissance ideas since her days as a special education teacher. 

Proof? Got that. Ideas? Have those too. Motivation? You won't get a better story than Michelle's. Listen in and see how Jostens Renaissance can be a district wide strategy to benefit ALL students...

For any school looking to improve their climate, culture and morale, the Jostens Renaissance School of Distinction Award offers a template of activities to help meet that goal.

And the Platinum School of Distinction Award is the ultimate. State College High School in State College, PA decided to make that their target for 2023-24. They nailed it and it's made a real impact on the life of their building, a large school in central PA. Students AND adults.

Renaissance/PBIS leaders Jennifer Evans and Danielle Ambrosia sat down for a chat with us about their diverse school, why Renaissance, ideas they've used to reach the Platinum level and much more. They went for it and crushed it - and your school can too...

Student leadership is often overlooked at many schools. And even more at middle schools. Teaching good student leadership is something that our guest this episode has excelled at.

Listen as we talk to veteran educator Christina Onuskanich from Mill Hall, PA. Christina was a 2023 Jostens Renaissance National Educator of the Year and a national leader in using the Renaissance student leadership curriculum. Her kids LOVE their student leadership class.

She also talks about using Renaissance at the middle school level, those unique ages when students begin to assert themselves. Watch and note the many ideas that Christina's school has used over the last several years.

You can't discuss education today without talking about mental health, for both students and adults. It's a real issue - and Jostens Renaissance ideas can help any school to improve the situation for all involved.

 

We talked with educator and administrator Mark Brown from Newburg HS in Oregon about mental health in schools and how to change the game for the future. Mark is a Renaissance Champion for the U.S Northwest, and also has a personal story which motivates him to improve mental health for anyone who asks. Get some ideas and insights for your own school situation.

How's the adult leadership in your school building? Stresses on administrators and teachers have never been higher. How to really LEAD your group to success this year? Listen for insights and ideas from former administrator Dr. Darrin Peppard, also a Jostens Renaissance Hall of Famer, on how to positively affect the climate, culture and morale of any school. Also check out his website at roadtoawesome.net !

Renaissance ideas are for any school at any level - so what about elementary school? Listen to the story of Robb Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA, a school that went all in for Renaissance and it's made a huge difference for their students and staff. School facilitator Brad McCloskey gave us the full story, from getting started to the acclaim they've received from parents, the media and even the PA Secretary of Education. And Brad shares a lot of ideas that his school has used in the last couple of years - take notes and see how they can help YOUR school.

Can a large school succeed with Jostens Renaissance ideas? YES and in this episode we talk to Laura Tobias, principal at State College High School in State College, PA. Her large school began using Renaissance ideas in the summer and fall 2023 and it's already made a HUGE difference in their building while also achieving the Renaissance Platinum School of Distinction award in just one year. Listen to their story, ideas they've used, reactions and proof that a change has been made. You can do it too!

It's roughly halfway through another school year - and for many schools ROUGH is a good term to use again this year. That goes with another key word, CULTURE. Schools everywhere - and many yearbook staffs - are struggling through another year.

One man who knows all about good yearbook and school culture is veteran adviser Mitch Eden. Now retired after 25+ years of teaching and advising, Mitch is a new Jostens Yearbooks Ambassador, working with schools across the country to improve their journalism and marketing efforts. 

Listen to this episode of the Report for insights and advice on not only improving yearbook culture but school culture as well during tougher times, and how your yearbook work could also boost the entire life of your school and everyone in it. This one's a keeper because every school out there can use some of Mitch's advice to have a better year - and have FUN doing this valuable work.