Good communication skills are at the heart of all successful relationships. As a teacher, it’s essential that you work well with your school’s leadership team. But there’s more to building a solid relationship than talking and listening. You need to understand the expectations and desired outcomes that principals and administrators seek.
Once you’ve become a certified teacher, you’ll do well to cultivate mutual respect, demonstrate your dedication to the profession, and commit to constant evolution. Here are five tips to put you firmly on the path to success in your teaching career.
1. Demonstrate a Desire to Evolve and Improve
Being the best you can be is a great start. If you really want to shine in the eyes of your principal, take your personal best to the next level by demonstrating that you want to improve. Look for ways to increase your value to the school and your students, and thereby to your school’s leadership. Evaluate your teaching strategy by creating a rubric that measures and enhances your performance. Sign up for any relevant training or professional development courses offered by your school or district. Focus on constant evolution in your classroom by continuing your own education.
2. Know Your Stuff
One of the best ways to earn the respect of your school’s leadership team is to be an expert. The most successful and trusted teachers comprehend every aspect of the work—the curricula, the grade level they teach, the latest research, the content, best practices—and apply them in the classroom.
3. Be Flexible
Teachers who demonstrate flexibility of mind make excellent educators, and principals and administrators know this. Strive to be an educational quarterback. Teachers who can think on their feet and gracefully make adjustments according to what students need are valuable staff members at any school.
4. Ask for Advice
Balancing expertise with a persistent pursuit of fresh knowledge is a skill that school leadership values. Education is a group effort, and seeking knowledge from other teachers in your school community shows that you are willing to learn and improve. It’s important to ask for advice from colleagues and your principal.
5. Accept and Apply Advice
Asking for advice from school leadership is only half of the equation. You’ll need to actually accept and apply that advice in order to gain the trust and respect of your principal or administrator. Acting on the advice you’ve been given sends a clear signal that you respect the advisor’s opinion and time.
Embracing a positive approach to your budding teaching career is the best way to establish and maintain a successful relationship with your school principal or administrator. Earning a BS in Elementary Education (Teacher Licensure) from Walden University can prepare you for initial teacher licensure, which is a requirement to teach in most public school systems in the United States.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering a BS in Elementary Education (Teacher Licensure) degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
Note on Licensure
Walden University is approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching to offer the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education that leads to Minnesota licensure in elementary education (K–6). However, before Walden can recommend a candidate for teacher licensure, the candidate must also pass the required exams for Minnesota licensure adopted by the Minnesota Board of Teaching, undergo a Minnesota background check, and complete any other Minnesota Board of Teaching requirements beyond completion of Walden’s state-approved teacher preparation program.
Individuals interested in pursuing teacher licensure in states other than Minnesota may qualify for a comparable license by virtue of completing the Walden Minnesota-approved teacher preparation program; however, individuals must review their state’s teacher licensing regulations to ensure the program meets all requirements, paying particular attention to any requirements specific to out-of-state program completers. Prospective students seeking to be licensed in states other than Minnesota must research their state licensure requirements to determine (1) if they are required to complete a state-approved licensure program, and (2) if there are any other requirements that apply, especially requirements pertaining to programs provided by out-of-state (except Minnesota) or online institutions.
Individuals enrolling internationally must be supervised by a teacher with a valid U.S. state teaching license, in a school that follows a U.S.-based curriculum at the appropriate grade level for the license. Prospective students must check that the program is accepted for teaching credential in the state they intend to apply for licensure.
Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide general information on state licensure; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all licensure requirements in the state they wish to teach. Walden makes no representation or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure or endorsement.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.