This study examined the phenomenon of the beginning elementary principals ' lived experiences during the first one to five years in their leadership roles. This dissertation is a qualitative study of the beginning elementary principals' role in optimizing and supporting a school climate. The study includes the practices and leadership styles beginning elementary principals implemented to create positive school climates and teachers' perceptions of those efforts. Additionally, this study sought to find what challenges beginning elementary principals face as they optimize and support school climate. The study included individual interviews with four beginning elementary school principals and twenty general education elementary teachers from four participating schools. The beginning principal interviews determined what they intentionally did to optimize and support a positive school climate. The elementary teacher interviews determined how teachers perceived the efforts of the beginning principals. After interviewing the beginning principals and teachers, the data collected from their experiences produced themes. Beginning elementary school principals' challenges as they worked to optimize and support a positive school climate included the change in leadership and building relationships. In addition, the beginning elementary school principals adopted intentional practices to optimize and support a positive school climate, including effective communication, creating intentional celebrations, building relationships, and implementing strategic planning. The elementary teachers believed the school climate became collaborative and supportive when the beginning principals were accessible, knowledgeable, and displayed servant leadership qualities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]