https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-teachers-say-it-takes-to-build-a-positive-school-culture/2023/10

Education Week recently asked teachers what makes a positive school environment, one in which they want to return to year after year. Here are some of the top five ways:

1: Relationships. No surprise that staff like coming to a place where they find strong and respectful relationships among administrators, teachers, students and their families.

2: A positive principal. A principal should get to know staff members, show appreciation for their work, and be positive throughout the day.

3: Trust teachers. Administrators should have confidence in teachers, who are in classrooms with students every day. Teachers should have autonomy to prove their expertise.

4: Collaboration between staff and administrators. Everyone should feel comfortable sharing ideas and experiences.

5. Show appreciation. Sometimes all it takes for staff to want to come to work is consistent and genuine appreciation for their hard work.

Let’s use these suggestions to create schools with more positive cultures. Maybe staff will stay longer at their jobs and fewer veteran teachers will retire early.