Hey gang, ever sat through a team meeting or PLC where brainstorming felt like pulling teeth? You know what I’m talking about — that awkward silence or hearing the same ideas on repeat. It doesn’t have to be that way. I have four simple and effective brainstorming exercises to breathe life into your school team’s creativity. Let’s dive in!

1. Set a Time Limit and Speed Brainstorm

Start with a timer. Set the a ten-minute timer and challenge your team to generate as many ideas as possible. Don’t worry about perfection or practicality. The goal is quantity over quality at this stage. No judging, no overthinking — just ideas flowing fast. Amazingly, the best ideas often show up in the final two minutes when the brain pushes past initial hesitation.

Try this: Use this method to brainstorm ideas for improving parent engagement, increasing student participation, or planning your next school event.

2. Use a Single Word to Spark Ideas

Give your team one powerful word and let that drive the brainstorming session. Words like belonging, growth, fun, or impact work great. Ask the group, “What’s one thing we could do in our school that embodies this word?” This exercise shifts thinking away from problems and guides the team toward value-driven solutions.

Try this: Choose a word that reflects your school’s goals or culture and let your team brainstorm actionable ideas that align with that value. If you need a list to get you started, check this out! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYihI6XurLt-ynEcL9IgyZ9PGAexyRcp/view?usp=drive_link

3. Build on Each Other’s Ideas

Get the whole team involved with this collaborative exercise. Hand out index cards or sheets of paper. Each person writes down one idea, then passes it to the next person. The following person builds on that idea, adding a twist, enhancement, or new perspective. After a few rounds, you’ll have layered and refined ideas that feel more innovative than anything one person could come up with alone.

Try this: Use this method to brainstorm creative solutions for boosting student morale, designing interactive lesson plans, or creating a more engaging professional development experience.

4. Reverse Brainstorm for Out-of-the-Box Solutions

When you feel stuck creatively, flip the problem. Identify a common challenge like low morale or hallway behavior and ask, “What’s the absolute worst way we could handle this?” List all the terrible ideas (and have fun with it!). Then, flip those bad ideas into creative solutions. This technique breaks tension, injects humor, and opens the door to unconventional ideas.

Try this: Reverse brainstorm solutions for handling discipline, improving classroom routines, or creating stronger staff-student connections.

Bring Structure and Energy to Brainstorming

Brainstorming doesn’t need to feel like a drag. It thrives on structure, energy, and creativity. Use these four methods to spark innovation and watch the ideas fly at your next staff meeting, PLC, or leadership session. Set a time limit, give a word prompt, build on ideas, and reverse brainstorm to explore new possibilities.

Give these exercises a try and see how your school team transforms brainstorming into a powerful tool for problem-solving and growth. And hey, if this tip helped you, share it with someone who runs meetings and could use a brainstorming boost.  If your staff meetings need a visit to the ER,  Stand Tall Staff Meetings are a fresh way to bring excitement, purpose, and practical strategies into your meetings—without adding another burden to your schedule.

What is a Stand Tall Staff Meeting?

A Stand Tall Staff Meeting brings me, Stand Tall Steve, directly into your staff meeting—virtually! Whether you need 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or a full hour, I will deliver high-energy inspiration, motivation, and practical guidance. Instead of the usual information dump, your staff will feel recharged, connected, and ready to take on their challenges with renewed focus.

When Should You Host a Stand Tall Staff Meeting?

• Before Spring Break – When staff feel exhausted and need an energy boost.
• Before or After State Testing – To provide focus, motivation, and encouragement.
• End of the School Year – To reflect, recharge, and prepare for a strong start next year.
• Anytime Morale Feels Low – A Stand Tall Staff Meeting reignites purpose and passion in educators.

It is simple—just visit StandTallSteve.com or email me directly at [email protected] to set up your session. Let’s make staff meetings something your team looks forward to!

New Book Release: Just Do This... An Educator's Guide to Climate and Culture

Exciting news! I am thrilled to announce the release of my brand-new book, Just Do This... An Educator's Guide to Climate and Culture, hitting shelves on April 15, 2025. This book is a straightforward, actionable guide designed to help educators create a positive, thriving school environment where both students and staff can excel.

This Book Matters

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with countless schools around the globe, helping them improve their climate and culture. Through these experiences, I’ve identified key strategies that consistently bring positive results. Just Do This… breaks down these strategies into simple, practical steps that any educator can implement. If you are a teacher looking to enhance classroom dynamics or an administrator seeking to make a difference.

What to Expect

Just Do This… takes a no-nonsense approach to transforming school culture, highlighting the most effective practices schools can adopt immediately to see meaningful change. Each chapter is full of real-life examples, proven techniques, and practical insights to help educators make a lasting impact at the classroom, school, and district levels.

The book covers essential topics such as:

• Building strong relationships with students and staff.
• Recognizing achievements to foster a sense of belonging.
• Creating a culture rooted in integrity, collaboration, and purpose.
• Transforming compliance-based environments into thriving cultures of commitment.
  
  

Pre-Order Today

Be the first to grab your copy by pre-ordering now through Amazon. Reserve your copy and get ready to lead the change to transform your school’s climate and culture as soon as the book drops on April 15, 2025!