What Battles Do You Fight with Students? “Right Place, Right Time”

By: Dr. Keith Jones, Principal of North Kansas City High School

As I enter my 19th year in education and 10th year as a high school building leader, one thing remains clear: some battles never change. While students have evolved, particularly in the last five years, I find myself continually adapting—both as a leader and in guiding teachers to meet the diverse needs of the classroom. But amid these changes, I’ve learned a key lesson: while core values stay constant, how we deliver them makes all the difference. Building strong relationships remains the foundation for setting school culture.

Do you ever cringe when students wear durags or bonnets at school? What about ear buds in, hoodies up, or students distracted by their phones as they roam the halls? Then there’s social media—students using apps to meet friends in the bathroom or plan activities that aren’t so productive. And let’s not forget pajamas, blankets, or slippers becoming everyday attire outside of spirit days. I’ll admit, I used to worry about these things constantly, especially how they reflect on school culture and whether we’re preparing students for life after high school.

At times, I feared we weren’t teaching students proper school etiquette or equipping them for their future. I worried about how stakeholders viewed my school when they saw these behaviors, particularly since many of the students demonstrating them were kids of color. As a Black male principal, I often felt this reflected on my leadership. My values haven’t changed, but my approach has—and it’s been a game-changer for fostering a positive school climate and building genuine relationships with students.

At Northtown, we lead with the mantra “Right Place, Right Time.” We don’t fight battles that ultimately keep students out of the classroom and away from learning. Do we really need to confront a student the moment they walk in the door about removing a hat or hoodie? How about welcoming them first, and when it’s time to be “student ready,” approaching them then? Our school thrives on relationships, and with the most diverse student population in Missouri (over 60 languages spoken and students from 40 different countries), a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t work for us.

We teach students to understand “Right Place, Right Time.” If we have a guest speaker, we ask them to take off their hats, remove hoodies, sit up, and engage—that’s student-ready behavior. On a field trip, students know ahead of time that durags, bonnets, and blankets aren’t part of the dress code. For big events like school dances, graduation practices, or any formal occasion, we encourage them to dress for success. We reinforce these expectations by inviting professionals to speak to our students, taking them to various industry sites, and exposing them to environments beyond their norm.

Since adopting this approach, our suspension rates have dropped, staff-student conflicts have decreased, and classroom disruptions are at an all-time low. It’s a far cry from the old-school methods I grew up with, but it’s proven effective in reaching Generation Z. The core values of respect, dressing for success, and representing your school and family still hold strong. However, the focus has shifted from demanding these behaviors to maintaining high standards, listening to where students are, and providing the education and experiences they need to grow.

“Right Place, Right Time” is a work in progress. But for educators and leaders to thrive in today’s world, we have to be willing to shift our mindset and approach. Leading by example, listening, and creating opportunities for students to make positive choices is 90% of the battle. Ultimately, that’s our goal—to teach students to make the best choices for their future, day in and day out.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

_{Dr. Keith Jones, entering his 18th year in education, is head principal at North Kansas City High School. With experience across Kansas districts, he’s taught English, Journalism, and Video Production. Dr. Jones holds degrees in Journalism, Instructional Leadership, and Educational Leadership, and passionately supports whole-child education, college prep, and mentoring educators of color through the BLOC Organization. A Middle School Principal of the Year recipient, he also co-founded the Kansas City chapter of 100 Black Men.}

_{Dr. Keith Jones was also one of the distinguished panelists of the Level Up Workshop Series.}