There is a lot of conversation around how many teachers are leaving the profession. I for one have heard close friends and colleagues declaring that they are not happy and are truly thinking about leaving a job that they loved. So, I decided to reflect back on a piece I wrote about school culture and leadership. I hope it provides inspiration and one little spark of hope for teachers.
Most of us are familiar with the Mickey Mouse Club’s song “Who’s the Leader of the Club.” I started singing this song the other day and got to thinking about our leaders in education. Hopefully, you know who your leaders are at your school but do you feel like your club is “made for you and me”? If you answered yes, you are so lucky and I want to hear more about it. I know there are great leaders out there.
Even before the pandemic and shifts in remote learning, I have found that there can be a lot of turnover with our leaders at the schools. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if you don’t always feel like your club or school isn’t made for you from time-to-time. More times than not, it just takes a little time for the new leader to build relationships with his or her new staff. So, I would say hang in there.
If you don’t like what you are seeing or hearing, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with the leader of the club and get to know them. Bring some prepared thoughts and questions. A good leader should always be interested in hearing constructive feedback and innovative ideas. If that is not the case, you might want to take a moment to reflect and feel out if you want to be a part of a club that does not feel like your own. As much as I believe it is beneficial for a student to have a teacher stay for the long haul at one school, it does not necessarily mean it is best for the teacher.
Join a Clubhouse Where You Belong
Often, we like to put our time and passion into a place where we feel like we belong and that there is a connection with a common vision and standards. As I have mentioned before, I am a big Disney fan. Hence, the Mickey Mouse Club song which got stuck in my head. I follow a couple of bloggers and podcasters who talk about all things Disney. There is one that is my favorite, Lou Mongello. He has built an amazing business and clubhouse for people like me to enjoy talking about Disney. The clubhouse reference is his term. He often tells his listeners, followers, that the reason why his business, WDW Radio, is successful is because we are the ones who built the clubhouse. He just created the space for us join.
Relationships are Key
I wonder what it would be like if principals and school leaders thought of the school in this way. Don’t get me wrong, I know it is a tall order to try and create an environment full of people who all feel happy and welcomed especially when you consider all of the people and personalities that fill a school building. It almost does sound like Disney magic. But I believe that there can be a balance of a leader’s time dedicated to building relationships with all of the staff. If the school feels like a safe space (not just physically but emotionally) and there is a sense of belonging, we can have a collaborative, cohesive, and culturally positive school.
"Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say." -Andy Stanley
Andy Stanley said that “leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say”. There are two takeaways from this statement. First, leaders should take the time daily to listen and connect with their staff. It can be as simple as greeting everyone in the morning with a smile. The second thought is that we as employees, as participants and educators at the school, should make sure to speak up. If our leaders don’t have people to tell them about the general consensus, the club house will fall apart.
See You Real Soon,
Erin
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE HAPPY TEACHER CONFERENCE IS FOR ME?
- I love working with students and sharing a passion for learning
- I’ve lost a little bit of love for teaching
- I am looking to reboot or re-energize my career
- I could use a reminder about finding balance with my personal and professional life
- I want to network with other educators to find a community of support