STS Staff
Engaged Teachers Engage Students
Teacher morale is a critical factor that can impact the overall quality of education for your students. A positive mindset among teachers can inspire students to learn and grow, while low morale can lead to frustration and burnout. Many factors can influence teacher morale, such as the school environment, administration support, and opportunities to grow professionally. Teachers who feel valued and respected are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work, and to engage their students. Schools need to prioritize teacher well-being and provide resources to help them feel supported and empowered.
Meaningful Opportunities to Grow
Teachers need to feel that they are growing in their profession and that their skills are being developed and valued. Schools can improve teacher morale and performance by providing opportunities for professional development. This means giving teachers time to attend conferences and workshops, as well as offering in-house training sessions. Support for professional development includes providing skilled substitute teachers to ensure academic momentum continues uninterrupted while the teacher is away.
Additionally, schools can foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork by encouraging teachers to work together and share ideas, and by providing the time and resources necessary for successful teamwork, including coverage for classroom instruction and other teacher responsibilities, allowing faculty members the time they need to collaborate meaningfully.
Recognition and Resources
Creating a positive work environment by providing recognition and resources helps support teacher morale and performance. What kind of recognition means the most to your staff? It's important to ask employees what recognition they value the most to ensure that the rewards and incentives being offered align with their preferences and what motivates them. This can be done through surveys, one-on-one conversations, or focus groups.
Finally, schools should strive to provide teachers with the resources they need to do their jobs effectively, such as access to technology, adequate classroom supplies, training support, and uninterrupted planning time. By taking these steps, schools can create a supportive and empowering environment that encourages teachers to do their best work.
Time to Thrive
Providing opportunities for your teachers to grow and thrive professionally will sometimes require taking them out of their classrooms for a day or more. Access to skilled, qualified substitutes makes taking advantage of professional learning opportunities a lot easier. In our new ebook, The Power of Quality Substitutes: How Hiring and Maintaining the Best Substitutes Can Improve Your School, we dive into tactics and solutions you can use to make hiring and managing quality substitutes easy and effective.
