Thought Leadership
3 Ways School Administrators Can Invest in Teachers
We could all use a little support, and teachers are no exception. Teachers’ work is incredible and essential to our schools and communities. Workload, stress, and burnout are just a few speed bumps that may pop up in their educator journey, so we wanted to help. Read on to learn more from BrainPOPpers on how administrators can invest in and support teachers year-round.
How can school administrators support teachers
Whether you’re a first-year teacher or a senior teacher, several key factors stand out. According to EdSurge, new teachers need consistent help and a professional village to grow and thrive. Nurturing and developing your staff may allow you to elevate your more senior teachers as mentors and coaches as they carve their career paths. Support is a personal journey, so let’s dive into some takeaways:
1. Allow teachers to have a seat at the table
“Let teachers have a voice. Let them be part of choosing supplemental materials to go along with the set curriculum. Also, allow teachers to make decisions. Consider an anonymous temperature check. Allow teachers to tell you what is or isn’t going well. If things aren’t going well, take that feedback with grace and see what you can do to alleviate the challenges for your teachers. Sometimes this feedback won’t be within your control to fix, but letting teachers have a voice will show them their value.” – Melissa Prescott, BrainPOP Regional Sales Manager
2. Encourage and help cultivate a supportive environment
“We all need cheerleaders and teachers that we can depend on. Having a strong support system I could rely on significantly impacted my teaching experience. One of my favorite admins, Mrs. Karch, told me she saw so much potential in me. She encouraged me to take risks and push myself out of my comfort zone. I knew I could go to her anytime I was struggling. I wasn’t afraid to make a mistake. It’s rare for teachers to have an admin invested in their development or someone you can confide in. For example, it’s helpful to give teachers freedom when creating lesson plans, activities, etc. I loved teaching virtually during the pandemic because it allowed me to be creative and try new things. I had free rein to design my lessons, reigniting my passion for education.” – Becky Stand, BrainPOP Account Executive
3. Fuel a culture encompassing love of learning (because your teachers love it)
“Teachers are lifelong learners. Give them time to go to conferences or trade shows. Find opportunities for them to learn from each other (I always loved when time was built into my schedule as a teacher to visit other classrooms for observations). Have them record best practices and share them with the school. Put teachers on display for doing something really great. Lead with empathy when teachers aren’t doing their best, but give concrete feedback and ways to improve. Teachers are eager for feedback, too. They want opportunities to learn and grow and get better at what they do every day.” – Nicolina Abruzzese, BrainPOP Regional Sales Manager
A culture of growth, support, and learning can support teachers year-round
Teacher and staff appreciation can look like asking the questions, accepting the answers, and embracing carving a new road together. By creating a culture of growth, whether elevating their voices, providing a learning space, or infusing feedback and community, all teachers can sit at the table with their voices heard, elevated, and supported.
Kelli Rascoe is a Sr. Content Strategy Manager at BrainPOP. She has nine years of experience in writing, content marketing, and strategy for tech and Fortune 500 brands. She is also the momma to a princess scientist and a pack of rescue pups.