6 Red Flags Every School Leader Should Watch For
The new school year always feels like a sprint from day one staff meetings, lesson plans, students filling the hallways. But in the middle of all that momentum, it’s easy to miss the signs that your school culture or systems might be veering off course.
I call these red flags. They’re the signals that whisper (sometimes shout) that it’s time to pause, recalibrate, and act before the whole train goes off the track.
Here are six of the most common ones I see in schools:
🚩 Red Flag #1: Unclear Expectations
When teachers aren’t sure what success looks like, they can’t hit the target. Clarity is kindness—and it’s the foundation of consistency.
🚩 Red Flag #2: Low Teacher Morale
If staff energy feels heavy, pay attention. A discouraged team can’t fuel inspired classrooms.
🚩 Red Flag #3: Equity Gaps Widening
If the same students are always falling behind, that’s not just “the way it is.” It’s a signal that access and support needs rethinking.
🚩 Red Flag #4: Communication Bottlenecks
Information that’s slow, confusing, or inconsistent creates frustration. Clear communication is oxygen for a healthy school.
🚩 Red Flag #5: Reactive Discipline
When the focus is on putting out fires instead of preventing them, it’s time to revisit systems that center student needs.
🚩 Red Flag #6: Joy Missing from Classrooms
If laughter and curiosity are rare, that’s a problem. Rigor and joy aren’t opposites—they belong together.
Want to Dive Deeper?
I created a beautifully designed 6 Red Flags guide that you can download, print, and even share with your staff. It breaks each flag down with practical insights you can start using today.
Ready to Take Action?
If you’re already seeing these red flags in your school, don’t wait until they grow into full-blown fires. Let’s talk about how we can strengthen your systems, rebuild morale, and bring joy back into the classroom.
Dr. Deonna Smith is an advocate for educational justice, teacher and abolitionist. Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Deonna grew up navigating a system that was built to suppress and marginalize Black and Brown kids. Deonna’s passion for justice began early, as the only student of color in most places, and a first generation college student, Deonna experienced firsthand the corrosive nature of systemic racism. After completing her undergraduate degree Deonna sought to be the Black teacher she never had. Years in the classroom exposed just how deep the roots of systemic racism ran. Having a Black teacher wasn’t enough if you were working at a school that refused to confront racism, inequity and bias. As a teacher, Deonna saw how systemic racism impacted her students. As an administrator, she saw how it impacted her school and even the community.
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