Today, my entire faculty and I will take off for a teachers convention in South Bend, Ind., sponsored by the Association of Christian Schools International. For two days, we will be immersed in classes, seminars and sessions designed to improve our schools. Teachers will spend time researching sponsor booths, searching for new curriculum and innovative ideas. Their boss — me — will be speaking at a couple of sessions (they are not required to come to mine, but maybe a couple of them will :). The coolness of the fall season in the Midwest will be a wonderful two-day reprieve from the day-to-day school activities. My hope is that my teachers will return with a new sense of energy.

But this new energy isn't just for their classroom. It is for the culture of the school. The true benefits of the next two days, from my perspective, isn't the sessions and seminars (maybe except for mine). It isn't the time spent looking at new math and science curriculum. The benefits of our time away is that it is our time away. My faculty have a chance to be with each other. No distractions or deadlines. Late night movies and room service can provide a new sense of community for my teachers. That's the benefit: the encouragement of each other as we spend time together.

We can rest, laugh, eat, rest, eat some more and laugh even more. We can see each other in a different light — one that is truly important if we believe the culture of our school is important.

Part of the leadership commitment that my team has with our school is that we will "focus on creating an environment..." There is obviously some more academic language that comes behind that, but most importantly is the environment we work to develop. Leaders must be engaged with their employees. Principals and superintendents: Get to know your people. There is always more paperwork and more e-mails that can wait. Find time to engage yourself with the people you are asking to fulfill a great mission — teaching students.