Leading with Heart: A Districtwide Approach to Student Support

What does it look like when relationship-building isn’t a program or initiative, but simply the way a school district operates?

At Byron Center Public Schools, the answer is consistency over time, across campuses, and through every role in the system. For more than 20 years, staff members have been trained in Capturing Kids’ Hearts® (CKH), creating a shared language and set of practices that support student well-being while proactively reinforcing positive behavior. Every new staff member receives CKH training upon being hired, ensuring alignment from day one.

Each fall, staff and district leadership recommit to this work by developing a CKH Social Contract together. This shared agreement sets expectations for how adults will treat one another and students, establishing a climate rooted in positivity, accountability, and encouragement before the school year even begins.

Over time, those practices have reshaped student behavior in measurable ways. Across the district, leaders have observed a significant shift in behavioral patterns. Where approximately 10% of students once accounted for 90% of problem behaviors, that figure has dropped to fewer than 1% of students today. Rather than responding reactively to incidents across the entire population, staff can now focus intentional relationship-building efforts on the small group of students who need the most support.

Daily routines play a critical role in that shift. At the secondary level, staff greet students as they enter the building each morning, while teachers welcome students outside their classrooms at the start of the day. At the elementary level, teachers greet students at the door before they enter the classroom, supported by visible staff presence in hallways and entry points. These consistent moments of connection help students regulate early, feel seen, and start the day grounded, reducing behavioral referrals before learning even begins.

Leadership practices reinforce this culture as well. Byron Center’s leadership team participated in Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Leadership Blueprint™, using the experience to clarify goals, refine strengths, and strengthen their ability to model the behaviors they expect to see across campuses. One key focus has been improving the quality and timeliness of instructional feedback. Leaders now prioritize immediate, thoughtful feedback during post-observation conversations, reinforcing trust and supporting professional growth.

Looking ahead, the district plans to conduct a districtwide review of CKH practices to re-anchor staff in the “why” behind the work and highlight its impact on school culture and safety. It’s a reminder that even long-standing systems require reflection and renewal to remain effective.

Together, these efforts tell a clear story: when adults consistently lead with relationships, establish shared expectations, and model care alongside accountability, students respond. Byron Center Public Schools demonstrates how sustained commitment to the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process can transform culture through daily practices that add up over time.

Contact Vern Hazard at vern.hazard@capturingkidshearts.org for more information on how Capturing Kids’ Hearts® can serve you!