K-12 educators have become overwhelmed by growing staff shortages and increasing student learning loss since Covid caused schools to move to remote learning. Since the pandemic, teachers have had to create more intensive K-12 curriculum plans while adapting to new digital resources. Despite the constantly changing educational landscape, here are three ways that districts and parents can contribute to teacher’s success in improving student outcomes.
Cultivate a Supportive Culture
Boosting morale and support for teachers can be done with small changes in their daily work life. Studies have shown that changing the dress code to have more denim acceptable days can boost positivity and eagerness among teachers to accelerate learning…and stay at their jobs.
Creating a positive culture for educators can also look like having less set hours for prep time before or after school. Studies have shown that teachers plan more late-night and weekend hours than many professions. Despite these studies, most teachers still have required time to be on school premises. It’s beneficial to grant our educators the same occupational freedom that many other professions have seen since the emergence of hybrid work.
Foster Active Communication from Administration Staff
Creating and maintaining a mutually beneficial line of communication between school leaders and their educators is crucial for the success of K-12 districts. It’s important that administrators don’t overwhelm educators with too many staff meetings throughout their school week. One simple way to ensure educators aren’t overwhelmed is by turning some staff meetings into summary emails. This allows teachers more time to focus on their lesson plans and improving student outcomes.
But don’t extend these emails into weekend hours. On top of district communication, teachers have an influx of grading and planning. To maximize student outcomes, give educators the time they need to reflect and develop improvements based on student work.
Lastly, create an environment of collaborative decision-making. There is a fine line between being helpful and micromanaging teachers, which is more detrimental than not helping. Administrators can navigate this balance by looping in teachers on student planning. Student planning can include anything from “curriculum choices, schedule shifts, school culture planning, and policy initiative”. Teachers are more than likely to want to offer their insight when it comes to decision making for their K-12 district.
Offer Support for Supplemental Tutoring Options
Tutoring can have a positive effect by reducing workload and helping a teacher’s mental health and work-life balance. Supplemental tutoring can aid teachers when students begin to fall behind or veer ahead of the class in their free-time. Teachers are able to make the most of their time with students when they’re able to stick to their planned curriculum. Tutoring also allows for a more personalized opportunity to go over/correct homework with students, reducing time spent in-class helping individual students. Tutors take a more in-depth approach helping students in small groups with the subjects they are struggling with in comparison to in-class instruction.
Tutoring can also make learning fun again for students! By getting students in a routine of continued learning at a personalized pace to their unique interests, it can help them have a more positive experience with teachers. It’s been shown to help develop stronger listening habits among students, helping to keep teachers doing what they do best.
Through contributing in any of these three ways, it’s possible to accelerate K-12 student learning.
Intervene K-12 Tutoring
Intervene K-12 engages and empowers students through a tutoring program with assessments, analytics, and data-driven instruction. Learn more at: https://intervenek12.com/