Ridiculously Amazing Schools: Creating a Culture Where Everyone Thrives

by Tracey Smith

Imagine a school with a culture so positive that everyone students and educators alike. Classrooms are lively, students feel they’re part of a community that cares about them, and teachers are happy and productive. Too good to be true? Not in a ridiculously amazing school.  There are many of them all across the country. What are their secrets to success? In this book, principal Tracey Smith and Jeff Waller, co-author of The 7 Mindsets to Live Your Ultimate Life , show how taking care of educators first—and cultivating supportive relationships—results in profound and positive changes. Smith and Waller explore the five key elements of what they call courageous schools that understand it takes a “whole” teacher to teach the “whole” child. They reveal the one variable that stands out as a predictor of sustained excellence…and it isn’t about leadership style, teaching practices, or demographics. There’s no question that teaching is hard work with little instant gratification, and too many educators go to work each day feeling unappreciated and overburdened. But it shouldn’t—and doesn’t—have to be that way.  Smith and Waller offer practical solutions and a road map to drive real and meaningful change within the school and classroom. It’s possible to create a nurturing climate where teachers are respected and have the power to transform lives…not just their students’ lives, but their own.

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2020

About the author

Tracey Smith grew up in Southern California, but as a teenager moved with her family to a small town in Arkansas. It was in Arkansas that she met and fell in love with the man of her dreams, who had also recently moved to the state. Fate brought them both to that small town and into each other’s lives and that is where they continue to live today raising their two children and living out their happily ever after.

Reviews

[Beth Lind · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest look at education and how to make school better (more fun, more meaningful, just more...). I appreciate the acknowledgement that education is hard but it is not doomed. Personally, I don't feel that education is a broken system -- I think it is an amazing network of people working to do good in the world.

[Alicia Wittmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I read it after completing a course in School Culture. It was a great follow up, but could also be your first time read on culture, as well. If you’re interested in investing or understand a thriving school culture, the process and applications given are great. It’s also an easy read and not daunting. Loved it!

[Desilu Anne Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy-to-read book with practical tips on improving school culture. Reflective work too that makes one think about the current gaps at your own school and how to start small with some useful strategies on building up a happier culture/environment that embraces vulnerability while celebrating staff strengths and having a school that is FUN and EXCITING.

[Sewveryblessed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read during grad school this summer; and enjoyed the first hand accounts of inspiring teachers and leaders. It really takes a cohesive team to make a school great!

--reviews will be brief and exact dates read in 2025 may not be 100% accurate, because while I have been reading much this summer, I have not taken the time to update my reviews here.

[Dr. Raye of Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for anyone wanting to improve culture in their school!

[Korin Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas to make the workplace productive and fun for teachers.

[Courtney Mccarthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t learn anything new