The demands on educational leaders are intense--there is no doubt about that. However, teachers are impacted by every decision made in schools. Every. Single. One.
And if teachers are impacted, it’s guaranteed that students are, too. As teacher responsibilities continue to multiple and intensify, it is vitally important that school leaders stay connected to the heart of the organization. Highly effective leaders keep one foot in the classroom. As a leader, maybe you haven’t had your own classroom in 5, 12, or 23 years, and education is continually evolving. Being in classrooms on a regular basis and involved in the learning is where school leaders gain valuable insights into the current realities of teachers and students in the organization. Leaders need to deeply understand how their decisions translate into daily practice in classrooms. Decisions made in the dark, or behind the closed door of an office, can have significant implications on learning. Imagine making changes to the school schedule but never seeing and experiencing how those changes affect lessons and student engagement. If leaders carve out time to be in classrooms, talk to students about their learning, and stay curious about the needs of teachers, leaders can better understand what’s working well and where there are opportunities for organizational improvement. Here are a few ways that leaders can reconnect with classrooms:
Being intentional about staying connected to the learning–with one foot in the classroom–requires presence and pays dividends.
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Melissa BurnellInternational educator, leader, learner. Endlessly curious, gritty, and growth-minded. Archives |