In this episode of The Energy Bus for Schools Podcast, Dr. Jim Van Allan dives into one of the most overlooked drivers of school culture—family and community engagement. Culture doesn’t stop at the school gates, and when families feel connected to the mission of the school, everything changes. Jim shares real-world strategies, top parent engagement ideas, and stories from schools that have successfully built a culture of collaboration beyond the classroom. Whether you're planning a new school year or looking to strengthen community ties, this episode will give you practical tools to energize and empower your entire school community.

Learn more about The Energy Bus for Schools program at www.EnergyBusForSchools.com and connect with Dr. Jim Van Allan at Jim@JonGordon.com.

In this episode of The Energy Bus for Schools Podcast, Dr. Jim Van Allan takes you inside the vibrant culture of Coshocton High School, where students aren’t just showing up—they’re stepping up. From Culture Club Fridays to students sharing Energy Bus principles with their peers, this school is a shining example of what happens when young people are empowered to lead the ride. You’ll hear how middle and high school students are taking ownership, building school spirit, and making kindness contagious.

We’ll explore why student ownership matters more than ever, especially for a generation that craves connection, purpose, and meaning in their day-to-day school experience. Backed by national research on school climate and attendance, Jim breaks down how a positive culture reduces discipline issues, increases engagement, and makes school the place students want to be.

You’ll walk away with two practical strategies you can implement tomorrow—forming a Student Culture Crew and giving students the mic to amplify positivity on campus. When students are empowered, the bus doesn’t just move—it flies.

Looking for more ways to ignite your school’s culture? Check out The Energy Bus for Schools book, Field Guide, and professional development offerings.

Tune in, be inspired, and let's build a school where students aren’t just passengers… they’re the drivers.

Learn more about The Energy Bus for Schools program at www.EnergyBusForSchools.com and connect with Dr. Jim Van Allan at Jim@JonGordon.com.

As the school year winds down, energy levels can drop and burnout often sets in. In this episode of The Energy Bus for Schools Podcast, Dr. Jim Van Allan shares a powerful story and timely strategies to help educators and school leaders reignite purpose, boost morale, and finish the year strong.

You'll discover what research says about end-of-year fatigue, hear practical and proven ways schools are restoring joy and focus, and walk away with two actionable strategies you can implement immediately—with your staff or students.

Whether you're looking for ways to energize your team, create more meaningful moments, or simply find your second wind, this episode is for you.

Let’s flip the script and finish the year not just strong—but inspired.

Learn more about The Energy Bus for Schools program at www.EnergyBusForSchools.com and connect with Dr. Jim Van Allan at Jim@JonGordon.com.

Imagine a classroom where discipline issues drop and attendance rises—not by accident, but by intentionally building unity, positivity, and a shared sense of direction. On this episode of our podcast, we dive into real success stories from schools that have embraced The Energy Bus for Schools (EBS) program and are seeing transformative results.

We'll explore how integrating The Energy Bus into your classroom, regardless of grade level, creates a vibrant community built on common language, shared values, and motivated, ambitious educators and students. Whether you're in elementary, middle, or high school, we'll share practical activities directly from the EBS Activities Guide to bring positivity and unity into your daily teaching.

Discover simple yet powerful strategies to consistently amplify your school's culture through morning meetings, daily announcements, engaging social media posts, vibrant walls and hallways, and even your school marquee. We’ll empower you to boldly champion your school's culture—shouting it from the mountaintops and protecting it fiercely every step of the way.

Key Takeaways:

• How to immediately start making relationships, culture, and mental health a priority—not just next school year, but right NOW.

• Actionable strategies to prepare your school today for a thriving culture tomorrow.

Plus, don’t miss an exclusive offer available only to our podcast listeners—join the Energy Bus for Schools program for the 2025-26 school year at a special discounted rate by mentioning this podcast.

Let’s remember to make schools fun again! When we prioritize relationships, community, mental wellness, and memorable activities, students not only thrive emotionally but excel academically as well. Everything is connected. Everything is culture.

Tune in and start your journey toward a more energized, connected, and successful school environment today!

Learn more about The Energy Bus for Schools program at www.EnergyBusForSchools.com and connect with Dr. Jim Van Allan at Jim@JonGordon.com.

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is transforming education by making learning more engaging, meaningful, and student-driven. In this episode, we explore how PBL increases student engagement, fosters collaboration, and strengthens school culture. We’ll discuss the latest research on PBL’s impact, share real-world examples from K-12 schools, and provide actionable strategies for schools looking to implement PBL effectively.

We’ll also connect PBL to Energy Bus principles, showing how it empowers students to take ownership of their learning, build positive relationships, and create a culture of success.

Tune in for practical strategies, innovative ideas, and inspiration to bring PBL to life in your school!

Learn more about The Energy Bus for Schools program at www.EnergyBusForSchools.com and connect with Dr. Jim Van Allan at Jim@JonGordon.com.

The average teacher impacts up to 3,000 students throughout their career, and each of those students goes on to influence countless others. The ripple effect of a single educator is profound, making it essential to support, appreciate, and uplift our teachers year-round. In this episode, we explore strategies to encourage and recognize educators while also highlighting the importance of attracting passionate, high-quality individuals to the teaching profession. A great teacher doesn’t just shape student learning—they shape futures.

Learn more about The Energy Bus for Schools program at www.EnergyBusForSchools.com and connect with Dr. Jim Van Allan at Jim@JonGordon.com.

In this episode of The Energy Bus for Schools Podcast, Dr. Jim Van Allan explores the student perspective and the challenges they face daily. Reflecting on powerful exercises from workshops at Cimarron, OK, and Citrus High School, he unpacks the weight students carry—self-worth struggles, financial stress, loneliness, and the pressure to succeed. With screen time at an all-time high and overstimulation affecting mental well-being, it’s more important than ever to meet students where they are, offering support, guidance, and opportunities to lead and grow.

Dr. Van Allan discusses the importance of breaking generational cycles, seeing beyond student labels, and using discipline as an opportunity for growth rather than just punishment. He shares actionable strategies like investing in top-tier counselors, building stronger teacher-student relationships, and implementing the 10x2 strategy—dedicating two minutes a day for ten days to connect with a student. Tune in to learn how to create a school culture that empowers students to rise above their challenges and step into their full potential.

www.EnergyBusForSchools.com

Jim@JonGordon.com

In this episode of The Energy Bus for Schools Podcast, host Dr. Jim Van Allan highlights the power of high engagement in schools and how it directly impacts culture, growth, and success. We take a moment to brag on Palm City Elementary, a school that ranked 19th out of 3,600 elementary schools in Florida, largely due to its highly engaged volunteers, staff, and parents. This episode dives into why engagement is the key to sustaining and elevating school culture, from organizing impactful events to empowering teachers and staff to lean into their school's vision.

Through a business lens, Dr. Van Allan explores how schools, like businesses, thrive by retaining and engaging their people rather than constantly replacing them. Backed by Gallup research, we uncover how engaged communities lead to stronger relationships, higher involvement, and greater success. From mobilizing staff and parents to fostering excellent communication, we discuss practical strategies to build a culture of engagement. Stick around for actionable takeaways, including how to identify key stakeholders, form an engagement committee, and create events that bring people together. Let’s get energized and create a culture where everyone is all in!