Blog Post

According to one recent survey, a staggering 60% of teachers say they experience job-related stress on a frequent or continual basis. In fact, fewer than 10% of respondents say they never feel stressed out at work. Now more than ever, we're asking our teachers to be everything, for everyone. In addition to being educators, they're also referees, cheerleaders, advocates, and more. 

Even as staff shortages increase and the face of the modern classroom shifts every day, they're dutifully there. In our quest to support teachers in every capacity, we're here to share a few of the most impactful ways you can make a difference in your own academic institution. From grandiose gestures to simple acts of kindness, here are some meaningful ways to show you care.

1. Lead With Optimism

Teachers go out of their way to motivate and build up their students. They do so not knowing how their home life might be, or what type of struggles they may be experiencing. A positive interaction with a teacher can change a child's life. 

Imagine the outcome if administrators treated their staff members with the same open heart? Look for every opportunity to praise your teachers. Point out their strengths and spotlight their efforts, creating a positive school culture that radiates with optimism.

Teachers value professional respect, and work hard to achieve it. Micro-managing undermines their efforts and can heap frustration on top of an already challenging work environment. To the greatest extent possible, allow them to retain creative control in their classrooms. 

Doing so shows them that you have confidence in their decision-making ability, and you trust their judgment. By opening that door, you could give way to some of the most innovative and inspiring lessons your school has ever seen!

2. Take a Genuine Interest

Have you noticed that a teacher seems to be acting out of sorts lately? For instance, they might appear sullen and unwilling to make eye contact as you pass them in the hallway. Or, they may make a negative or cutting remark at a meeting that isn't in keeping with their character. 

Instead of assuming that everything is fine, take the time to make sure that it is. Seek them out and genuinely ask them how they're doing. Then, if they have feelings to share, sit down and listen. 

Sometimes, all it takes is a few minutes with someone who truly cares. Inauthenticity is easy to spot a mile away, and teachers are smarter than that. Real connection is invaluable, so make sure your team members know you're always there.

3. Provide Resources to Support Mental Health

In a recent report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shed light on the impact that the pandemic has had on teachers, noting that nearly 30% of educators self-report symptoms that are consistent with clinical depression. Moreover, nearly 40% demonstrate symptoms that align with generalized anxiety disorder. 

Much of this traces back to the additional weight they're expected to carry in the wake of the pandemic. Not only are they tasked with making sure their students meet their goals and milestones, but they also have an ongoing health crisis to manage. As they seek to uphold everyone else around them, it's often at the sake of their own wellbeing. 

Your teachers' mental health impacts more than their ability to perform in the classroom. If it slips, then the results could be detrimental to their physical and emotional stability. 

As you research ways to help teachers, consider how their current workload might be affecting them. Then, look for ways to lighten it. Allow plenty of time for work/life balance, encourage professional friendships, and provide access to local counseling solutions, if available. 

4. Help With Classroom Supplies

In years past, most teachers could count on a select number of parents to pitch in and cover extra supplies. Yet, financial tensions are high right now and that might not be a possibility this year. 

If you're looking for an actionable way to help teachers, you can start by making sure their classroom is fully stocked with all of the essentials. The best way to do this is to help get the word out about what they require. 

If they've shared a wish list, then head there first. Often, teachers will create lists of supplies they need through platforms like Amazon. Then, they can distribute the link so there's no second-guessing what type of crayons they prefer, or the kind of pencils they need. 

No list? No problem. Reach out to the teachers in your school and ask them directly what resources they're lacking. 

Before the pandemic, many teachers would pool all of their supplies together and create a shared collection to last them through the year. Due to sanitation restrictions, most schools now require individual sets of supplies for each student. 

This places a greater burden on teachers to cover the cost of those supplies, especially for students who can't afford them on their own. If you can help offset that responsibility by ensuring the word gets out, then your generosity will go a long way. You can also reach out to local office supply stores and similar organizations to see if they'd be wiling to partner with you in this effort. 

5. Keep Their Prep Periods Open

Your staff might be pulled in a million different directions, and many teachers are likely pulling double, if not triple, duty. As such, their planning and prep periods are more essential now than ever.

Resist the urge to schedule meetings or conferences during those times, and try to keep their schedules obligation-free while they're hard at work getting their lessons together. You may not be able to fully avoid all instances of overlap, but remember how important this time is for them.

The more they can plan at school, the less work they have to bring home. This helps them balance their personal and professional lives, and can help prevent burnout. 

6. Empower a Safe Classroom

For nearly two years, teachers have had to worry about more than the yearly flu bugs that tend to pop up when the temperatures start to dip. Now, they're also concerned about keeping their classrooms free of the COVID-19 virus. 

This means they're amplifying their cleaning and sanitation efforts, and going to great lengths to make sure their students and assistants are protected. You can make this process easier and less stressful by keeping the protocols clear and consistent.

Make sure everyone knows exactly what to do, and the right order in which to do it. Post your cleaning routine in a visible location, and make sure every teachers has a copy. Then, supply the right kinds of tools and products they need. 

In addition to sanitation supplies, you may also need to stock each classroom with disposable masks and lanyards. This makes it easy for teachers to stay compliant as mandates change. 

7. Keep Meeting Expectations Realistic

School leaders don't have to approach every question, problem, or concern with a one-hour, in-person meeting. These days, you can reach a large number of employees via email or chat message in a mater of seconds. 

Remember: Your teachers are real people, with real responsibilities both at work and at home. You should look for ways to help them manage their time, and that starts with minimizing the number of meetings that you require them to attend. 

If they do need to be present, then make sure the topic is one that directly pertains to them. Otherwise, asking them to sit through an irrelevant discussion is grounds for resentment and discord. 

Of course, this doesn't apply to all meetings. There are some discussions that truly require group input, and the best way to get everyone together is to set a time for collaboration. In that case, create and follow a meeting agenda to keep everything (and everyone) on track and timely. 

8. Invest in Continuing Education

Academic budgets might be tight all across the country, but that doesn't mean that professional development can just fall by the wayside.

According to one recent study, around 80% of first-year students work closely with a mentor to learn the ropes. At the same time, around 73% participate in special teach induction programs at their schools. Yet, while early support is critical, it can't stop there. 

The same report found that even experienced teachers are eagerly seeking opportunities to grow their skill sets and hone their craft. In fact, nearly 92% are assessing different workshops or training sessions, and more than 85% are curious about learning more on the subjects they teach. 

However, many of these pursuits will go unfulfilled. According to the report, only around 27% of all teachers attend professional courses related to teaching. In a similar vein, only 23% present at workshops and 22% visit other schools for observational visits. 

The takeaway?

Teachers are interested in moving forward in their career, but many aren't receiving the resources they need to do so. If you expect your staff members to perform at peak capacity, then they'll need the right tools and knowledge at their disposal. Show them you support them by enabling them to attend events, conferences, and seminars that align with their goals. 

9. Make Yourself Available

Wanting to give teachers help is one thing. Actively assisting them is another. Part of being supportive is being present. 

Do teachers know that your door is always open? While you don't have to literally leave it sitting ajar all day, you can set designated office hours where they can meet with you in person to discuss issues that are on their minds. 

This way, they won't have to wonder or second-guess if you can take the time to talk to them. If you still find that no one shows up, then start walking the hallways and visiting the teacher's lounges. By improving your visibility, you send the message that you're available.

When teachers meet with you, be sure to put away all distractions. This means momentarily shutting down your emails, text message, and phone calls so you can focus on the matters at hand. Unless it's an emergency, the busyness can wait. 

10. Allow Them to Facilitate Decision-Making

A vast majority of decisions that you'll make as an academic leader will directly affect the teachers you employ. That said, shouldn't they have a voice in some of those discussions?

While there will be some decisions that fall outside of their realm of expertise (such as school budgeting), you can ask for their input on other topics. For instance, are you thinking about deploying a new type of software or technology at the school? 

If so, then you can ask lead department teachers to weigh in on the investment. Learn what their day-to-day workflows are like, and how the system would fit into those processes. It can be challenging to make such a decision within your leadership team alone, and you need a real-world perspective to choose wisely. 

As you consult your teachers strategically, you'll also boost their confidence and sense of authority. This can help them feel more connected to your school and encourage then to speak up the next time they're consulted about a topic. 

Support Teachers This Year and Beyond 

We've reached a critical crossroads in our education system. Many skilled educators are feeling under-appreciated and over-worked. To maintain the integrity and quality of our schools, we must reverse this trend. 

It's time to lift our teachers up and show them how much we appreciate them. Yet, it isn't enough to simply talk about our admiration. We must take the time to show them with our actions and policies. 

At CS Partners, we've made it our mission to support teachers. From budgets to leadership, we can help you optimize every aspect of your operations. Contact us today to learn more.