Most of us have heard stories about the tremendous impact one good teacher can make in a child’s life. Kansas City based journalist Jeffri Chadiha was a college football player sidelined with a permanent injury and no plans that didn’t include football. A college professor told him he was a good writer, with the potential of being great. That encouragement led to Jeff’s success as a journalist, writing for major sports networks like ESPN. Kansas City Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell tells a similar story. After dropping out of second grade because he was told he couldn’t learn, Bedell discovered a teacher who saw beyond his athletic prowess and told him he was smart. His life trajectory changed and Bedell went on to obtain his college, masters and doctorate degrees.
Most teachers go WAY beyond the call of duty, teaching and caring for our children. But teachers need to be cared for, as well. This is especially important today, when expectations of our teachers are at an all time high, average pay near an all time low and national scores measuring teacher morale, in the dumpster.
In successful schools, it’s the principal who takes care of our teachers. Research reveals that strong principals attract great teachers, obtain resources and create an environment where teachers and students thrive. Great principals take time to appreciate, recognize and nurture teachers. Take Dr. Jimmie Bullard, for example. She is principal of Longfellow elementary and is new to the school but not to academic leadership. She entered Longfellow on a mission to improve academics. None of her students passed the state tests for math and science. That’s not going to happen again, she vows. Dr. Bullard knows that teachers are key to making this happen and that her teachers need all the academic and moral support she can give them. That’s why she is working with PrincipalsConnect Adviser, Judy Burge. Judy was a talented leader at Quintiles and like many retirees, desired to do something strategic and make a difference. So, she joined PrincipalsConnect and started working with Dr. Bullard and retiree Susan Morgenthaler, to update Longfellow’s teacher workroom. Bullard’s teachers need a place to gather, exchange ideas and provide support to each other.
Bullard got the idea for the workroom update after she sponsored a late afternoon shopping spree for her teachers at Hallmark’s Employee Outlet store. While the teachers loved the shopping, some told Bullard that what they appreciated most, was the time together. Some teachers hadn’t spoken to each other for a couple years! In addition to Judy, another PrincipalsConnect adviser, Michael Roane, who retired last year from JE Dunn where he was an SVP of Human Resources, helped Bullard find a talented teacher for her school. And I helped Bullard with a grant application for an innovative program she hopes will dramatically reduce suspensions, keeping children in school and learning.
We’ll let you know how things progress at Longfellow. We have a hunch we’ll hear from some pretty happy teachers.
Carol Hallquist,
Founder, PrincipalsConnect
