Fostering Empathy Through Understanding: Listening to the Voices of Administrators and Teacher Leaders

Part Three: How can teacher-leaders and administrators work together on creating a “why” and a school vision?

This is the third of a six-part series exploring the relationships between administrators and teacher leaders. Curated by Kristen Engle, Laurie Rigg, and Megan Vosk of the AMLE Teacher Leaders Committee)

Teacher leaders and administrators work closely to ensure that the mission, vision, and values of their schools are consistently implemented. However, conflict and mistrust between both sides can arise as a result of power imbalances and misunderstandings. As part of our work with the AMLE Teacher-Leaders Committee, we conducted a survey in December, 2022 asking AMLE members to share what they thought were the most pressing issues facing teacher-leaders today. Of the responses, the most common issues cited related to conflicts with administrators.

To help bridge the gap between teacher leaders and administrators, as well as build empathy, we thought it would be helpful to ask both groups to answer questions about their roles and responsibilities. We sent six questions to teacher-leaders and administrators in our national and international networks. What follows are the responses that were shared. While they have been edited and condensed for clarity, their substance has not been changed.

This Q&A will be shared in a six-part series and, at the conclusion of the series, will also be published as an easy reference/starting point for discussions between teams. If teacher leadership is of interest to you, please also check out our three part webinar series “Growing Yourself as a Teacher-Leader,” which will be coming this fall.

Part Three: Building a “Why?”

In Part One and Part Two, we explored the questions, “What is the hardest part of your role?” and “What do you wish people knew about your position?” In this, Part Three, of the series we explore the viewpoints of both teacher leaders and administrators in response to the question, “How can teacher leaders and administrators work together on creating a ‘Why” and a school vision?” If you want to truly grasp the importance of always having a “why,” we encourage you to check out comedian Michael Jr.’s “Know Your Why” video where he goes off the cuff to explore knowing your why and purpose in life. It inspired us to ask this question, and we think you will enjoy it too.

“How can teacher leaders and administrators work together on creating a ‘Why” and a school vision?”

Teacher Leaders say...	Administrators say...
● Creating a school vision must be more than a “check the box” exercise – and get at the values and the passion that people bring to the process. ● Make the experience of developing and implementing a school vision authentic by being student-focused. ● Make sure decisions are made collaboratively and are not top-down. Solicit teacher input and feedback at every step of the way when rolling out new initiatives. ● Use Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle as a guide and always explain the “what, why, and how” behind every decision. Go slow and don’t rush changes. Take time to make sure everyone understands why something is changing before doing it. ● Monitor progress towards the shared "why" and school vision. Set benchmarks and track metrics to ensure the school is making progress towards its goals. ● Involve all stakeholders in the process of creating a shared "why" and school vision. This can include teachers, staff, parents, students, and community members. ● Ensure school policies and practices are aligned with the shared "why" and school vision. This can involve regular reviews to ensure the school is always moving towards its goals. ● Once the shared "why" and vision have been created, communicate it to all stakeholders. This can include updates, presentations, and opportunities for feedback. ● Common goals must be set with an equal position and voice supported through reason, sensibility, pride, creativity, and vision.	● Co-create, co-create, co-create. Honor the quote, “the smartest person in the room is the room.” Go in without a pre-designed solution and agenda, but be open to what emerges through dialogue. ● Use protocol or activities. Get as many voices, as much equity, into input as possible first, and then start processing, sifting together. ● The “why” must always focus on the students. That is why we are here doing the job we are doing. Our vision together (as teachers and admin) should always start with what is best for students… how we can best make each student feel valued, known, and safe. ● Be reflective and ask clarifying questions to be sure everyone understands the why. ● Never settle and always look for an opportunity to improve. ● Work together to create what is important as a school, what you value, where your priorities are. ● Help support the messaging and goals of the work within the “trenches.” ● Be completely “mission driven.” The mission and vision guide all decision-making and strategy at a school and a good mission puts students at the center. ● Knowing your “why” leads to building a strong culture and purpose. ● Cultivate the “road map” for your school’s continuous improvement journey with the seeds that will grow a strong culture.

Teacher Leaders say...

Administrators say...

● Creating a school vision must be more than a “check the box” exercise – and get at the values and the passion that people bring to the process.
● Make the experience of developing and implementing a school vision authentic by being student-focused.
● Make sure decisions are made collaboratively and are not top-down. Solicit teacher input and feedback at every step of the way when rolling out new initiatives.
● Use Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle as a guide and always explain the “what, why, and how” behind every decision.
Go slow and don’t rush changes. Take time to make sure everyone understands why something is changing before doing it.
● Monitor progress towards the shared "why" and school vision. Set benchmarks and track metrics to ensure the school is making progress towards its goals.
● Involve all stakeholders in the process of creating a shared "why" and school vision. This can include teachers, staff, parents, students, and community members.
● Ensure school policies and practices are aligned with the shared "why" and school vision. This can involve regular reviews to ensure the school is always moving towards its goals.
● Once the shared "why" and vision have been created, communicate it to all stakeholders. This can include updates, presentations, and opportunities for feedback.
● Common goals must be set with an equal position and voice supported through reason, sensibility, pride, creativity, and vision.

● Co-create, co-create, co-create. Honor the quote, “the smartest person in the room is the room.” Go in without a pre-designed solution and agenda, but be open to what emerges through dialogue.
● Use protocol or activities. Get as many voices, as much equity, into input as possible first, and then start processing, sifting together.
● The “why” must always focus on the students. That is why we are here doing the job we are doing. Our vision together (as teachers and admin) should always start with what is best for students… how we can best make each student feel valued, known, and safe.
● Be reflective and ask clarifying questions to be sure everyone understands the why.
● Never settle and always look for an opportunity to improve.
● Work together to create what is important as a school, what you value, where your priorities are.
● Help support the messaging and goals of the work within the “trenches.”
● Be completely “mission driven.” The mission and vision guide all decision-making and strategy at a school and a good mission puts students at the center.
● Knowing your “why” leads to building a strong culture and purpose.
● Cultivate the “road map” for your school’s continuous improvement journey with the seeds that will grow a strong culture.

What do you think? Did any of the responses resonate with you? Surprise you? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for Part Four, in which we will dig a little deeper as we discuss the question: “How can teacher-leaders and admin work together to maintain a strong partnership even when conflict arises?”

Many thanks to all the voices who shared their perspectives with us, especially those from AMLE’s Principals/Assistant Principals and Teacher Leaders committees.

List of contributors:

Administrators:

Liz England, Vientiane International School
Casey Faulknall, Hong Kong International School
Andy Ferguson, Vientiane International School
Amy Ganaden, Oakhill Day School
Mike Hammond, Oliver W. Winch Middle School, South Glens Falls, NY
Ian Hoke, International School Basel
Tanay Naik, UNIS Hanoi
Tara Waudby, International School Basel

Teacher Leaders:

Megan Balduf, Frost Middle School, Fairfax, VA
Rachel Booth, Commonwealth Charter Academy, PA
Cait Burnup, Franklin Avenue Middle School, Franklin Lakes, NJ
Jason DeHart, Wilkes Central High School, Wilkesboro, NC
Kristen Engle, Rockwood South Middle School, Fenton, MO
Miguel Gomez, Murray State University, Murray, KY
Roger Jack, Maple Shade School District, NJ
Joseph S. Pizzo, Black River Middle School, Chester, NJ; Centenary University, Hackettstown, NJ
Laurie Rigg, Rugby Middle School, Hendersonville, NC
Megan Vosk, Vientiane International School, Laos

Comments

Quinn Caney says:

April 30, 2023 at 5:25 pm

I didn’t even think about this, but creating a school vision is so important. It’s good to have personal vision and expectations for the classroom but that really only starts and ends when kids walk through your doors. Having a unified front is critical. Also using the “What, Why, How” will do wonders when you are creating these expectations and it provides an explanation to your students, fellow teachers and community members.