From national headlines to local school board meetings, it can feel like public education is under attack.
Across the country, school leaders are facing a coordinated and well-funded wave of criticism — calls to ban books, defund federal protections, eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, and limit what teachers can say or do in service of all students.
And yet, despite the noise, tens of thousands of educators continue to show up every day with a simple but radical commitment: to help every child feel seen, valued, and supported.
But what happens when the pressure makes it harder to do that work?
That’s the question Drs. Luvelle Brown and Shelley Berman set out to answer in their book The Call to Courage: Standing Up and Speaking Out Against the Assaults on Democracy, Educators, and Students in America’s Schools.
“The work of public education is democracy work,” says Dr. Brown. “We need school leaders to speak with clarity and courage — and we need them now.”
Why School Culture Matters Now More Than Ever
In a recent Gallup poll, satisfaction with public schools hit a record low.
At the same time, educators report rising student disengagement, growing mental health concerns, and widespread burnout among teachers and staff.
None of this is accidental. As Dr. Berman explains, “We are witnessing an erosion of trust in public institutions — and schools are at the center of that struggle.”
That’s why culture matters.
You can’t control every political narrative. But you can control the conditions you create for students and staff inside your school buildings. And when the culture is strong—when people feel safe, connected, and valued—everything else becomes possible.
3 Conversations Every Courageous School Leader Must Have
This month, we released a new guide featuring research, strategies and insights from Drs. Brown and Berman and others:
The Ultimate Guide to Standing Up for K-12 Public Education
3 ‘Courageous Conversations’ to Help You Foster a Culture of Student Empathy & Success
The guide highlights three powerful conversations that every school and district leader must be willing to have:
- Refusing the false narrative that public education is failing
- Leading with love to create a culture of belonging
- Staying the course by redesigning schools for deeper engagement and joy
Each section is packed with data, insights, and real-world strategies from school leaders working on the front lines. It’s built to inspire your leadership team and empower you to take action.
📥 [Download the full guide here]
From Talk to Action: Join the Movement
The guide is just the beginning.
If you’re looking for ways to bring these courageous conversations to life, here are a few ways to go deeper:
Listen to our podcast interview with Dr. Luvelle Brown
In this conversation, Dr. Brown shares his own leadership journey and offers practical advice for school leaders navigating resistance and rebuilding trust.
[Listen to the episode on YouTube]
Take the short course: Creating a Culture of Love in K-12 Schools
Available on RocketPD LaunchPad, this 60-minute video course features five focused lessons, a downloadable workbook, and a certificate of completion.
[Watch the trailer and enroll]
Register for our live-virtual cohort: Standing Up to Intolerance in K-12 Schools
This five-session cohort features Drs. Brown and Berman live via Zoom with a national network of K-12 leaders. Together, you’ll explore how to lead change in your schools through empathy, clarity, and courageous design.
If you’re a school or district leader trying to lead with values in a time of disruption and doubt, you’re not alone. Join us. Stand up for your community. Let’s build something better — together.
