What Teachers Really Need from Leaders…
Spoiler: It’s not more paperwork or mandates.
I’ve spent years watching incredible educators pour their hearts into classrooms. And do you know what fuels their effectiveness? It’s not another compliance checklist or hoop to jump through.
Three Things Teachers Need from Leaders:
Recognition. A genuine “I see you. I value you.” Teachers don’t need a trophy, but they do need to know their effort matters. That acknowledgment builds pride and motivates them to keep going, especially on the hardest days.
Trust & Autonomy. Micromanagement stifles creativity. When leaders trust teachers to use their expertise and pair that trust with accountability, students win. But here’s the key: trust requires visibility. Leaders should spend more time in classrooms than in offices, not to catch mistakes, but to ensure that systems and strategies are truly working for kids.
Support. Teachers thrive when they know leaders believe in them, stand beside them, and create consistency for students. One powerful shift? Invite administrators in before sending students out. It builds partnership, strengthens relationships, and shows kids that everyone in the building is on the same team.
The best leader I ever worked for once told me his number one job as principal was to shield teachers from distractions so they could focus on what mattered most: teaching. That mindset didn’t just boost morale; it transformed the entire school's culture.
Because here’s the truth: teachers don’t need more tasks. They need leaders who believe in them, recognize their efforts, hold them accountable, and protect their purpose. When those things coexist, teachers don’t just show up; they show up differently. And when teachers show up differently, schools transform.
