Dear Administrator, 10 Simple Ways to Destress Back-to-School

Professional Development and Inspiration

Dear Administrator,

Back-to-school is a special season. There’s the joy of a fresh start, new students, and new courses. It’s also an overwhelming time of the year: classrooms have to be put back together, restocked, and inventoried. There’s lesson planning, curriculum alignment, learning goals, seating charts, and emergency procedures. Teachers need copies of new rosters, IEPs and 504s, faculty phone trees, and a dozen other documents.

In a lot of ways, back-to-school feels a lot like a prolonged holiday: there’s so much to look forward to and so much to prepare.

That’s why I want to suggest 10 simple ways an administrator like you can take some stress out of back-to-school.

Thanks,

Teachers Everywhere

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Get the Building Ready First

Dear Administrator,

There’s a lot of stress in what you can’t control, and teachers cannot control the building they work in. As an administrator, it’s your job to make sure the building is ready before teachers show up. That means fixing any HVAC issues, getting halls ready for traffic, and stocking the copy room. Lags in these little things can cause a lot of unnecessary stress for teachers, so dear administrator, it’s beyond helpful if you can take care of physical plant concerns.

Since sometimes physical plant is out of your control (parts get back ordered, something unexpected always breaks, the custodial staff gets sick), it’s also helpful if you preemptively revisit the process for filing work orders. Even if you are super on top of the building, it’s hard to check every outlet, projector, and air duct. Giving teachers a gentle reminder about how and when to file a work order is a game changer. It’s equally important to make sure that the work order system is simple and that it works.

Finally, the simplest way any administrator can support teachers is to make sure each classroom has the appropriate number of desks. This is a lot of work, but desks cause a lot of stress, so take care of that beforehand.

Thanks,

The Teacher Whose Door Stopped Locking

Enlist the Community

Dear Administrator,

School buildings have a lot of moving parts, so it’s important to enlist the community in getting ready for back-to-school. Before teachers return, enlist the PTA/PTO to welcome everyone. Sports teams, church groups, Scouting America, veterans organizations, and similar community groups can also be tremendous assets. When you bring the community in at the start of the year, they are more likely to continue showing up all year long. Here are some ways community members can help:

Campus clean up and recycling
Packing back-to-school buddy packs
Giving campus tours to new students
Organizing and distributing communal supplies
Offering a meal or child care during orientation

As an administrator, you have a unique position in the community, so leverage that to make back-to-school a little easier for everyone!

Thanks,

The Teacher Who Wants to Phone a Friend

All the Nuts and Bolts

Dear Administrator,

Each school district is complex and unique, so there are different limitations and opportunities for each administrator. However, here are five things each building administrator can directly impact:

First, establish and maintain one communication channel. One of my previous administrators maintained a teacher-only Google Classroom where leaders and guidance could post, link, and share information and resources. Another administrator maintained a Google Doc called “The Hub” where he linked all sorts of information. Still another shared a weekly newsletter. Whatever communication system you use, please make it helpful, sustainable, and consistent.
Additionally, please be mindful of the number of “new initiatives.” Each school building has room for improvement, but it’s better to do a few things really well rather than trying to do everything at once. Choose what improvements or initiatives will have the most significant impacts and prioritize those. Help teachers understand your vision, and remember that we are in-the-room each day and have an idea of what initiatives are workable. Our suggestions and criticisms come from a place of expertise rather than bitterness.
Similarly, since yearly video trainings aren’t going anywhere, provide protected and paid time for teachers to complete their annual training.
In the same vein, please do everything you can to limit back-to-school BS and micromanaging. I don’t think I can make it any plainer.

Finally, the best way an administrator can support their teachers is by being an active, visible presence. Greet teachers as they return to school, offer assistance, and just be out and about in the building. Especially at the start of the year, teachers can have odd, one-off questions or concerns. Plus, this is a great way to check in with each teacher without the pain of ice breakers.

Thanks,

A Teacher Who Has Seen It All