Six Ways to Improve Teacher Morale Dr. Anne N. Billington abillington@grundyr5.k12.mo.us

MY LEADERSHIP BELIEFS (Morale) Teachers and staff need to feel appreciated! Teachers and staff need to feel supported! Teachers and staff need to have a voice! 1+1+1= Higher Morale

THIS IS ME!

IMAGINE A TYPICAL TEACHER’S MORNING You are a teacher, you wake at 5:40 AM You arrive at school at 6:40 AM You have a staff meeting at 7:30 AM You arrive after prepping 7 lessons for the day that morning because of Title I activities the night before You sit through the hour long meeting thinking of all that needs to be done General meetings (1 hour) Short ice breaker Long list of policies and orders Maybe time to use restroom BELL RINGS!!!!!!!! It is only 8:40 and how do you feel?

Teacher Morale Boosters # 1-5 Step 1 Change Agent Step 2 Clear Vision Step 3 Value Time Step 4 Be Flexible Step 5 Set Clear Expectations

IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT YOUR TEACHERS TO LOOK LIKE ON THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL?

OR, IS THIS THE TEACHER YOU WANT TEACHING IN YOUR SCHOOL? HOW DO YOUR TEACHERS LOOK TODAY?

# 6 is EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION REPLACE FORCED COLLABORATION WITH REASONS FOR COLLABORATION What is the reason we are meeting? Analyze Student Work Create Lesson Plans Create Behavioral Plans Problem Solve WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER! DO NOT WASTE TIME!

IT IS MORE THAN JUST A JOB! CELEBRATE BE PASSIONATE BE HAPPY

SHOULDER PARTNER DISCUSSION Motivate Support Grow Just Do It!

CONCLUSION This is not rocket science! Teamwork is the key! Transparency is important! Be passionate! Be Happy! Put on your game face! Empower Others! Celebrate Accomplishments! Love ALL Children! DO NOT GIVE UP ON A CHILD or TEACHER! Be the best YOU that you can be! Thank you for your time and enjoy the rest of the conference! Be happy!

HAPPY TEACHERS MAKE HAPPY STUDENTS!