On a personal level, we make resolutions, set goals and begin the year with high hopes for progress and change. With a new semester just around the corner, now is the time for school administrators to reflect and make changes so the semester gets off on the right foot. Here are five ideas that will help you ensure the rest of the school year is positive and productive.
1. What’s Your Vision for Your Campus?
Do you have a vision for what you want for your campus? If you do, are you sticking to it, or is it just sitting in a notebook collecting dust? If you don’t, why not? By outlining what your school is trying to achieve, all the teachers, students, families, and administration can work together to make great things happen!
2. Students First
Your decisions and plans should always have the students in your school as the number one priority. Sometimes we get caught up in the day-to-day events of running a school that we lose sight of our WHY, and our WHY should always be to make a difference in the lives of our students.
3. Take Time to Think and Plan
Sometimes we get so busy moving from meeting to meeting, putting out discipline fires, refereeing teacher drama, and so much more that we don’t take the time to think. We get so busy that we’re just reacting to every situation. Take a little time to close your door and think. Give yourself time to plan. How are you going to manage the next change coming to your campus? You’ve noticed that morale is low, take some time to think about ways to improve it.
4. Say YES
When teachers come to you with ideas or suggestions, find a way to say YES. Trusting their instincts and giving them a chance to take a leadership role or make a change could change your relationships and will lead to a better school culture.
5. Turn Them Loose and Watch Them Soar
What? Turn them loose? Who? Not the kids? No, the teachers. I know, you know, I’ve lost my mind for sure. Hear me out. We don’t have to be in control of everything. Set clear expectations. Give the teachers and staff the knowledge, tools, and time to accomplish what you expect and turn them loose to do it. Of course, you’ll be checking in, and you might have to get some back on track, but give them a chance to manage their work, time, and to an extent, their curriculum. Give it a shot. I think you might be pleasantly surprised.
I hope some of these ideas are helpful for you and that this semester is the best yet!
Teia Hoover Baker is an educator, published author, and entrepreneur. She is an innovative, devoted educator whose career has been dedicated to coordinating programs that support struggling learners. Her passion is meeting students where they are and guiding them to excel. Her main focus is always what is best for children. Teia holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism and a Master’s of Education. In her spare time, she enjoys being Lovie to her growing grandchildren.
