Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools

by Darrin Peppard, Katie Kinder

Overview

Creating a positive classroom culture is both an art and a science - layered, nuanced, and deeply personal. In Culture First Classrooms, Dr. Darrin Peppard, Katie Kinder, and a powerhouse team of education experts reveal proven strategies for transforming classrooms and schools. Through innovative practices and practical strategies, this book shows how to build environments where students and staff feel safe, engaged, and empowered. Discover how laughter, relationships, and intentional culture-building can lead to deeper learning and lasting success.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798991927741
Publisher:	Road to Awesome, LLC
Publication date:	03/13/2025
Pages:	262
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

Katie Kinder, author of Untold Teaching Truths and Hallway Leadership, is a highly sought after professional learning facilitator and speaker; she has been an educator since 2006. She brings her message of hope, fun, and real strategies to educators all over the nation. She believes that life is fun, and learning should most definitely be fun. Education Award Winner, Speaker, Author, Professional Development Leader, a Mom, a Wife, a Fierce Advocate for Education, and recognized nationwide for her distinctive teal glasses, Katie has learned a trick or two in the classroom, so come on in, have some fun, and hook your students from day one!

Dr. Darrin Peppard is a recovering high school principal, leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate and coaching emerging leaders. Darrin is a best-selling author and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. He spent 26 years in public education, serving as a middle and high school teacher and coach in Kingman, Arizona for 11 years. He was then a high school assistant principal and principal in Rock Springs, Wyoming for 11 years. Darrin’s final four years in public education were as the Superintendent of Schools in West Grand School District in Colorado. He was named the 2015 Jostens Renaissance National Educator of the Year and was the 2016 Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year. In 2019, Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Educator Hall of Fame.

Darrin’s work focuses on supporting emerging leaders and sharing the Road to Awesome message of culture, climate, and leadership. He is president and founder of Road to Awesome, LLC which provides coaching and consulting for leaders, inspirational keynote speeches for leaders of all walks of life, and publishes books by educators for educators. Darrin is also an adjunct professor in teacher education at Fort Hays State University (KS).

Darrin and his wife, Jessica, and daughter, Liz, currently live in Omaha, Nebraska. Darrin is a passionate but lousy golfer and enjoys time with family and in his Jeep.