Madeline Will (EducationWeek), Dear Administrators: Here Are 7 Things Teachers Want You to Know (May 24, 2023).

While this short essay was meant for k-12 educational leaders, I was struck by the fact that law school faculty might wish to share similar thoughts with their deans. I have excerpted a few paragraphs to give you a flavor for the essay.

Take some duties off teachers’ plates. Listen to their concerns, and work together to find solutions. Avoid too many new initiatives at once. Don’t fall back on clichés . . .

[Teachers want] administrators to remember what it was like to be a teacher and to consider the . . . burdens those in the classroom are dealing with now. [Teachers want administrators to have] empathetic leadership skills and to prioritize teachers’ work-life balance.

[Administrators need to learn] to give at least as much appreciative, positive feedback as they do ‘next steps.’ Affirmations on what is being done correctly often inspire our students to believe in themselves and achieve more. The same works for teachers, as well . . .

Treat all of your staff members fairly. When meeting with a teacher who has behaved unprofessionally, ask them if they are OK, or if there are things going on in their personal life that are pushing them past their limits . . .