Curriculum and instruction: Teachers are the ones who are most familiar with the students in their classrooms and with what they need to succeed. They should be empowered to make decisions about what curriculum to teach ,how to teach , and how to assess student progress. For example ,a teacher might decide to use a project based learning approach in their math class, or they might decide to incorporate more technology into their instruction.
Budget and finance: Teachers should have a say in how the school budget is spent. For instance ,they might advocate for more funding for classroom supplies, or they might want to start a new program or initiative.
Hiring and firing: Teachers should be involved in the hiring process for new staff members .They should also have the ability to give feedback on the performance of other staff members and recommend termination if necessary .This ensures that the school is staffed with the best possible educators.
School climate: Teachers should be given the autonomy to create a positive and welcoming school climate. For example ,they might start a mentoring program for new students, or they might organize a school-wide event that brings the community together.
Student discipline: Teachers should be able to make decisions about how to discipline students. For instance, they might decide to use a restorative justice approach, or they might choose to implement a system of progressive discipline.
Professional development: Teachers should be given the opportunity to choose their own professional development activities. This ensures that they are able to learn and grow in the areas that they want to.
Autonomy can also lead to increased motivation and job satisfaction for teachers. When teachers feel empowered to make decisions, they are more likely to be committed to their jobs and to go the extra mile for their students.
Giving teachers autonomy does not mean that they should be completely independent. They should still be accountable to the principal and the school district, and they should be willing to collaborate with other staff members. However, giving teachers some level of autonomy can help to create a more positive and productive school environment.