Advocate for a less strict filter on the district level. This advocacy will carry more weight with TPTB who control the filter than any average classroom teacher who asks for sites to be unblocked. Consider advocacy for social learning and not only embracing our students favorite tools, but teaching/modeling appropriate use of said tools. Of course, I know Rock Hill is great about allowing cracks in the filter for educators who are innovative. But this is not true everywhere (i.e. Aiken.) Another thought is to share current 2.0 activities that are successful in your school with board members and other administrators throughout the district, so perhaps they can catch the vision and encourage the same at their schools, or better, ask why this is not happening at other distirct schools, perhaps even their own childrens’ schools. Too many teachers just throw their hands up and do not try to effectively integrate current technologies in their class because the leadership in their buildings do recognize or praise the potential, and the filter fight is a lonely one to fight.

I think that what teachers need most from principals is for them to LISTEN. Regardless of the situation. It sounds so simple, but it’s actually more than that. Administrators have to care about and respect what teachers have to say about situations, programs, goals, and so on.

If teachers are concerned about overly rigid programs (I have heard of a lot of prescribed curriculum that is too restrictive to allow teachers to be teachers), administrators have to be willing to hear that. I know there will always be someone who doesn’t like a decision that is made, but I think that the concerns should be considered. Would it be too messy to have follow up online (anonymous) surveys when new rules/policies/programs are implemented where teachers could voice their concerns or suggestions for improvement without fear of repercussions?

Great blog you have here! I’m impressed by your interests!

Be there. I know that most teachers view the principal being in the room as a threat. Like they are trying to catch us. Being there lets the students and teachers know that he/she cares about what is going on in the classroom. Btw, if teachers are doing what they are supposed to be doing, there should be no worries about being caught!

by the way…the previous comment was not a gripe! I love my administration…they have always supported us!

Thanks for the great tips. I do love using online surveys! I tell my teachers that I always try to make decisions with them in mind. I tell them that I am twice removed from the classroom and I need their “ground truth”. I think this makes me a better principal.

Make sure you give credit to those who deserve it; it’s easy for a principal to present ideas as her/his own when teachers are the ones who came up with them. You look great when you show how your people shined. “If you light a candle with another one, each shines just as brightly.” As soon as you steal someone’s thunder, you are no longer letting them get ahead.

Ask questions of your staff rather than telling them all of the answers. It’s possible that they have some great ideas. My current principal keeps coming up with “new ideas” from an article or a website that she wants to implement without really thinking them through. When we try to tell her about our concerns, she just makes us feel as we are not being team players. We are team players who want to make sure our school doesn’t look bad for implementing half considered ideas.

The tip from anonymous can go along way…when you steal someone else’s thunder and present it as your own, you make yourself look bad…very bad…especially to those who worked so hard to get the ideas working in the first place.

Great tips everyone. I always try hard to make it a point to give the proper people credit for their ideas!