As the school year ends, I wanted to share some thoughts on what administrators can do to help teachers LOVE their jobs and be excited when the school bell rings again.
1. Let your teachers TEACH. Give them autonomy to do their jobs and TRUST them to do what’s best for their students.
2. Be a real person and a good model for your teachers. Visit each classroom and do something FUN by reading a book, teaching a song, telling a joke, or doing a magic trick.
3. Support your teachers. Be careful not to let a single parent’s request sway what’s best for their child and the other children in the classroom.
4. Believe in the WHOLE child. A test score is a number. “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” And, sometimes, you can’t see that wonderful little person because of “data.”
5. The word “rigor” is not appropriate when talking about instruction for young children. The world keeps changing, but children are still children. They don’t all grow up in the same way at the same time, and they should not be expected to accomplish skills according to some master plan.
6. Please don’t give teachers any more "paperwork." Assessment and reports are driving instruction and consuming their day.
7. Teaching is a video not a snap shot. Is it fair to walk in a classroom, observe for 10 minutes, and then make negative comments to the teacher? Compliment teachers for what they are doing well. Give positive suggestions instead of critical remarks.
8. Listen, listen, listen to your teachers. Problem-solve, ask for their input, and collaborate on goals and issues. Instead of TELLING them, ask for their help and suggestions.
9. Don’t take away their JOY! If the children are engaged and enjoying an activity, do you have to ruin it by requiring “observable evidence”? Let it be! It’s O.K. to read a book without dissecting it with questions about the author’s purpose. It’s O.K. to take a walk outside to enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. It’s fine to sing a song or use a brain break to make children smile.
10. Remember that for some of your students “school” is as good as it’s going to get for them. You never know what’s going on at home, and school should be a wonderful world where they feel accepted, successful, and are excited about learning!
P.S. Remind parents that they are their child's first and most important teacher. Good manners, respect, kindness, and self-control all start at home!
SUPER HERO TEACHERS' SURVIVAL KIT
Here's a positive goodie bag that some teachers in Fargo shared with me several years ago. Wouldn't it be a great surprise for your teacher friends when school begins?
