Engaging and Retaining Staff

Through staff pulse checks we see teachers and staff members have a diversity of thoughts and feelings about their satisfaction – and what is being asked of them during this time. Some are excited and ready for this time. Others are struggling with what is being asked of them this year – and truthfully, every year. That is what inspired this blog on engaging and retaining staff.

I started to write this blog to help those working with teachers and staff continue and grow their support of teachers and staff. As I penned this blog I found myself convicted – as a leader of our team. I had to stop to consider all of the needs outside of our work that might be top of mind for my team members. I found myself thinking about some of the things that are top of mind for me – as a human, a mom, an employee.

So as you think about supporting staff and teachers, here are a few ideas:

Create formal and informal mechanisms for ongoing feedback and conversation

Possip is a great formal mechanism for a routine pulse check. It can help create equity – where you hear from everyone and everyone has an equal (or more equal) chance to share. So we believe a formal and routine mechanism is critical. But schools can use other formal mechanisms or tools as well.

In addition to formal mechanisms, you also need informal and more organic mechanisms. Informal mechanisms can include intentional meetings, places, and spaces where teachers, staff and administrators come together. With virtual work there aren’t as many “water cooler” conversations….or parking lot conversations.

What are informal ways to learn about the needs and ideas of those on your staff?

Does every one of your team members have a routine and weekly conversation where they can answer the question – how are you – to a person? No really, how are you? Here are some questions we recommend to get the second answer underneath how are you? https://possip.com/questions-to-build-staff-culture/ 

Consider policies and practices through a hierarchy of needs

While talk about “self-care” is common, the reality of how to do it is hard. As you’re thinking through systems, policies, and practices, consider some of these questions.

• Do teachers or staff have what they need outside of school? Particularly this is an important consideration for first-year teachers and assistant teachers or other staff member who may face financial vulnerabilities. Do they have the food, shelter, and physiological needs cared for?
• Does your staff feel physically safe at school? Do they feel healthy? Do they team feel like their family is safe?
• Are they learning and growing – and able to grow and become professionally their best version of themselves?
• Do they feel connected and a sense of belonging – to both their school community and to an external community? Do they feel cared for and connected?
• Does your staff end their days with some sense of accomplishment and achievement? Do they feel successful?

You don’t need answers to these questions, but as you consider opportunities or gaps in your culture or policies, these questions could help consider the mental or physical, or emotional space your team members may be in.

Offer ways for team members to be known

One constant we hear – from family members and school and district staff – is a desire to be seen and known. There are many ways to make people feel seen and known. Here are a few ideas:

• Insure structures like grade-team meetings or department meetings – are happening routinely. This helps make sure team members feel known and connected.
• Use the information you get from Possip pulse checks or other systems to share shout-outs with team members, departments, or areas.
• Whip-around questions. People like to joke about whip-around questions, but they work! Just as cheesy camp songs still work in building community and fun, whip-around questions work too! At Possip we are pretty proud of our whip-around questions. We’re sharing a few of our favorites here: https://possip.com/favorite-whip-around-questions

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