Start at the top. Practice an open-door policy and transparent leadership. Model positive behavior and use effective and positive communication. Provide fair and consistent leadership that uses research-based and objective strategies.
Empower teachers. Involve them in decision-making activities, and offer opportunity for taking on more responsibility to teachers who want it. Use a democratic system whenever possible, asking teachers to vote on issues or suggest solutions to problems.
Ask teachers regularly for feedback. Teachers are a valuable source for information. Ask them about what is going on in their classrooms, how they feel about changes and policies, what they need to be successful, whether they are satisfied and how you can better support them. Teachers often know exactly what would make their work environment better, and it might be something different for each teacher. Find out what this is by asking each one.
Create positive relationships with students' families and the community. Communicate effectively with the public, and provide regularly opportunity for the community to be involved in school. Recruit volunteers, and gain the support of local businesses. When the school is reputable in the community, teachers feel better about their jobs.
Recognize teachers for their accomplishments. Congratulate teachers publicly when they obtain an advanced degree or receive an award.
Provide opportunity and time for professional development. Provide teachers workshops to develop skills on-site in areas in which they express interest. Offer stress management, financial planning and work-life balance workshops. Hold monthly brown-bag lunches that feature guest speakers, such as industry professionals, administrators, retired teachers, local college representatives and local authors. Advertise relevant conferences and continued education opportunities in which teachers might be interested.
Schedule social networking times. Provide teachers an opportunity to get to know each other outside of a strictly professional environment. Hold an annual picnic, and plan holiday parties where teachers can bring their families and get to know one another in a social atmosphere.
Invest in a comfortable, visually appealing and welcoming teacher lounge. This doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Identify items that would improve the teacher's lounge, and ask teachers or the community for donations. A coat of paint in an attractive modern color can help make the room more appealing for minimal investment. Keep an up-to-date bulletin board that showcases information relevant to teachers. Provide copies of magazines and journals for teachers to read in the lounge about industry research and practice.
Create teams and mentorships. Teachers can share best practices and successes with one another, helping one another become better and more effective teachers. While collaborating on issues makes it easier for teachers to do a good job, it also benefits students. Teams help teachers focus on the goal of continuously improving the school. Mentoring helps new teachers get up to speed and feel more competent.
Develop an internal communication system. Teachers should always know what is going on and be up to date on any changes in the district. Teachers should not find out about changes or problems from outsiders. Communicating regularly helps teachers feel they are important.