How to Empower Your Teachers as a School Leader

Teachers are not just employees but also partners in shaping the future of their students. They need your support and appreciation to do their job well and grow in their career. In this article, we will share some practical ways that you can empower your teachers as a school leader. These are:

Protect your teachers from student misconduct.

You should set and enforce clear and strict rules for your students to prevent them from harming or disrespecting your teachers. Some of the common problems that teachers face from students are:

• Physical or verbal abuse
• Cheating or plagiarism
• Disobedience or defiance
• Bullying or harassment

These issues can affect your teachers’ mental and emotional health, as well as their teaching quality. You should intervene and discipline any student who violates the rules and ensure that your teachers feel safe and respected.

Trust your teachers and show them respect.

You should treat your teachers as professionals and experts in their fields. You should believe in their abilities and potential and avoid micromanaging or undermining them. Some of the benefits of trusting and respecting your teachers are:

• Increased motivation and productivity
• Enhanced creativity and innovation
• Improved collaboration and communication
• Higher retention and loyalty

You should also acknowledge and appreciate your teachers’ efforts and achievements and give them constructive feedback and recognition.

Involve your teachers in decision-making:

You should consult and collaborate with your teachers on matters that affect them or the school. You should value their opinions and suggestions and consider their perspectives and interests. Some of the advantages of involving your teachers in decision-making are:

• Better judgement and quality
• Greater buy-in and commitment
• More ownership and responsibility
• Less conflict and resentment

You should also delegate some authority and autonomy to your teachers and allow them to make some decisions on their own.

Lead by example.

You should model the behaviours and attitudes that you expect from your teachers. You should demonstrate excellence and professionalism in your work and follow the same rules and standards that you set for your teachers. Some of the outcomes of leading by example are:

• Higher credibility and respect
• Stronger influence and inspiration
• Positive culture and climate
• Consistent performance and results

You should also share your vision and goals with your teachers and show them how they can contribute to them.

Balance your teachers’ workload.

You should ensure that your teachers have a reasonable amount of work that matches their skills and capacities. You should avoid overloading or underutilizing your teachers, as this can cause stress or boredom. Some of the consequences of balancing your teachers’ workload are:

• Better health and well-being
• Higher efficiency and effectiveness
• Lower turnover and absenteeism
• Higher satisfaction and engagement

You should also provide your teachers with enough resources and support to do their work, such as materials, equipment, or training.

Reduce unnecessary meetings.

You should limit the frequency and duration of meetings that involve your teachers. You should only hold meetings when they are necessary, relevant, and productive. Some of the benefits of reducing unnecessary meetings are:

• More time for teaching or planning
• Less disruption or distraction
• More focus or concentration
• Less fatigue or frustration

You should also prepare an agenda for each meeting, invite only the relevant participants, facilitate the discussion, and follow up on the action points.

Praise your teachers publicly.

You should compliment your teachers publicly when they do something well or achieve something remarkable. You should highlight their strengths, skills, or accomplishments and make them feel proud. Some of the effects of praising your teachers publicly are:

• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Enhanced reputation and image
• Strengthened relationships and trust
• Motivated peers and students

You can praise your teachers publicly in various ways, such as:

• • Announcing it in a meeting or assembly
  • Posting it on a bulletin board or website
  • Writing it in a newsletter or report
  • Awarding it with a certificate or trophy

Limit excessive criticism.

You should avoid criticising your teachers excessively or harshly when they make mistakes or fail to meet expectations. You should be fair, respectful, and constructive when giving feedback or corrections. Some of the impacts of limiting excessive criticism are:

• Reduced stress or anxiety
• Increased learning or improvement
• Preserved dignity or morale
• Maintained loyalty or cooperation

You should also balance criticism with praise, focus on solutions rather than problems, and provide support rather than punishment.

Encourage saving and investment.

You should educate your teachers on the importance and benefits of saving and investing their money You should help them plan for their future and achieve their financial goals. Some of the advantages of encouraging saving and investment are:

• More income and value
• More security and stability
• More freedom and flexibility
• More happiness and fulfilment

You can encourage saving and investment among your teachers by:

• • Providing financial literacy training or counselling
  • Offering saving or investment schemes or incentives
  • Sharing success stories or testimonials
  • Creating a saving or investment club or group

Provide health insurance.

You should provide health insurance for your teachers, as this can protect them from the risks and costs of illness or injury. Health insurance can also cover their medical expenses, such as consultations, tests, treatments, or medications. Some of the benefits of providing health insurance are:

• Improved health and wellness
• Reduced absenteeism or presenteeism
• Increased productivity or quality
• Enhanced loyalty or gratitude

You should also promote healthy habits and practises among your teachers, such as eating well, exercising regularly, sleeping enough, or managing stress.

Organise holiday activities:

You should organise holiday activities for your teachers, as this can help them relax and recharge after a busy term. Holiday activities can also help them to bond with their colleagues, learn new skills, or explore new places. Some examples of holiday activities are:

• • Going on a trip or tour
  • Having a party or picnic
  • Taking a course or workshop
  • Doing a project or volunteer work

This article is not a checklist, but a guide for school leaders who want to empower their teachers. Teachers are not just workers but also partners in education. Teachers need your support and appreciation to do their job well and grow in their careers. By following these tips, you will be able to empower your teachers and improve your school.