Crazy About Kids: Building Cultures of Belonging With Salome Thomas-El
“Trust is the engine that drives relationships.”
Principal El
Season 3 of NAESP Leadership Conversations kicks off with Principal El and he’s reminding us of something powerful: being “crazy about kids” is the foundation of leadership. In this episode, you’ll discover how to build cultures of belonging, lead with grace, and create schools where students and staff want to be.
Hosted by NAESP member, author, and keynote speaker Adam Welcome, this season brings dynamic conversations with today’s leading voices in education. Each episode dives into real-world strategies and inspiring stories designed to help you strengthen your leadership, build collaborative school cultures, and bring practical, purposeful tools into your daily practice.
🌟 5 Key Takeaways
- Learning is for Everyone . A true learning culture embraces critical thinking, problem-solving, patience, and kindness from both students and adults.
- Be “Crazy About Kids.” Success begins with unconditional care, curiosity about students’ lives, and a village committed to championing every child.
- Commitment Over Time. While funding and structures change, an unwavering dedication to students remains the foundation of effective leadership.
- Grace in Leadership. New leaders must allow themselves mistakes, showing mercy and forgiveness as essential ingredients for growth.
- Belonging Builds Culture. Schools thrive when both staff and students feel valued, celebrated, and empowered — creating a place people want to be.
💡 4 Guiding Questions
- How do I show my staff and students that I am truly “crazy about them”?
- Where in my school am I actively building a sense of belonging and emotional wellbeing — and where is it still missing?
- How can I model grace, forgiveness, and vulnerability so my team feels safe to grow?
- What small shifts in my daily presence (lunchroom, car line, recess) could deepen my understanding of the student experience?
✅ 3 Actions to Try This Month
- Step Into Their World. Spend 30 minutes each week in a non-classroom space (lunchroom, recess, or car line) to better understand your students.
- Celebrate Out Loud. Use your morning announcements or staff meeting to spotlight someone’s contributions.
- Model Grace in Action. Share a recent leadership mistake and what you learned with your staff to encourage resilience.