How School Leaders Can Support Teachers (Without Micromanaging)
Let’s be honest: Being a school leader is tough. You’re juggling district policies, parent concerns, staffing shortages, budgets constraints, and at least one broken copier at all times.
But you know what else is tough? Being a teacher.
Teachers are out here putting out metaphorical (and sometimes literal) fires, engaging kids who really want to talk about Minecraft instead of fractions, and somehow managing to fit actual learning between assemblies, drills, and 57,000 forms that need to be filled out in triplicate.
So, school leaders, we love you. We need you. But if you really want to support your teachers, there’s one thing that absolutely does not help: micromanaging.
Because here’s the thing: teachers don’t need someone breathing down their necks about their bulletins boards. What they do need is real, meaningful support that makes their jobs easier, not harder.
So, let’s talk about how school leaders can support teachers effectively…without micromanaging every detail.
1- Trust Teachers to Be the Experts in Their Own Classrooms
Teacher showing child something in a book.
You hired these people for a reason. They’re trained professionals. They know what they’re doing.
Yet, somehow, teachers still find themselves justifying their every move, from how they arrange desks to whether or not they use a “learning target” poster.
🚫 Not Helpful
“I noticed you didn’t update you ‘I can’ statement this morning”
“Can you stick to the script a little more when teaching phonics?”
Why is your objective not written in a different color marker?”
✅ Actively Helpful
“Let me know if you need anything for your phonics lesson!”
“what do you think would help your students engage more with today’s lesson?”
“How can I support you in trying new strategies in your classroom?”
Teachers know their students best. Give them the trust and freedom to teach their way, and you’ll get better results than if you dictate every move.
2- Give Meaningful Feedback (That Isn’t Just About Compliance)
Look, teachers want feedback. They really do. But not nitpicky, surface-level observations that focus more on compliance than actual teaching.
🚫 Not Helpful:
“Your anchor chart isn’t laminated.”
“Your lesson plan says 20 minutes, but you went over by 3 minutes.”
“I didn’t see every student raise their hand. Are you sure they all understood?”
✅ Actually Helpful:
“I noticed how engaged your students were in the discussion! What strategies do you think made that work so well?”
“If you’re looking for more ways to assess student understanding, I can help brainstorm ideas!”
“How can I support yo in trying new instructional methods?”
The best feedback isn’t about compliance with a checklist, it’s about helping teachers improve their craft in a way that actually benefits students.
3- Protect Teachers’ Planning Time Like It’s a National Treasure
You know what teachers don’t need? More meetings.
You know what they do need? Actual, uninterrupted time to plan lessons, grade work, and prepare for the 8000 things they juggle daily.
🚫 Not Helpful:
Scheduling a mandatory staff meeting during every planning period
Sending an “urgent” email at 7:00AM that needs response by 7:05AM
Expecting teachers to use their lunch break to “quickly” set up for an event.
✅ Actually Helpful
“I’m keeping meetings short this week so you have more planning time.”
“You’re swamped, how about I cover your class for 20 minutes do you can catch up?”
“I know you have a lot on your plate, so if this can wait, just get to it when you can.”
If teachers have time to plan effectively, they can teach effectively. It’s that simple.
4- Be the Kind of Leader You Needed as a Teacher
If you were ever a teacher, ask yourself: What did you wish your admin had done differently?
If you weren’t a teacher, ask yourself: Would I want to be a classroom teacher under my own leadership?
🚫 Not Helpful:
“I don’t can how you make it work, just get those test scores up.”
“I know this is a lot, but it’s what the district wants.”
“You’ll have to figure it out, I have too much on my plate to help.”
✅ Actually Helpful:
“I know testing season is stressful. What can I do to support you?”
“I’m advocating for fewer unnecessary initiatives so we can focus on what actually matters.”
“I’ve got your back. Let me know how I can help.”
Teachers will work harder and happier when they feel valued, respected, and supported.
5- Show Up (Not in a “Gotcha” Way)
Teachers love seeing their school leaders engaged, present, and involved. What they don’t love? Feeling like they’re being watched for mistakes.
🚫 Not Helpful:
Popping into a classroom only to take notes for an evaluation
Walking in and immediately correcting something
Avoiding classrooms entirely except for formal observations
✅ Actually Helpful:
Visiting classrooms just to see what’s happening and chat with students
Participating in activities and interacting with kids
Saying positive things when you see great teaching in action
Teachers don’t need to feel policed, they need to feel supported.
6- Fight for What Teachers Actually Need
Want to be a leader that teachers love? Advocate for them. Loudly.
🚫 Not Helpful:
“We can’t change that policy, it’s just how it is”
“I know you’re overwhelmed, but we need this extra initiative anyway’
“There’ no budget for supplies, but here’s a new district-mandated workbook”
✅ Actually Helpful:
“I pushed for funding to get more classroom materials”
“I told the district we need more flexibility in how we implement these changes”
“I’m working on getting more support staff to lighten your load.”
Teachers want to be their best. But they can’t do that if they’re drowning in unrealistic expectations, paperwork, and underfunded classrooms.
A school leader who fights for teachers’ needs is a school leader who earns their trust and respect.
7- Say Thank You (And Actually mean It)
At the end of the day, teachers just want to know their hard work is seen and appreciated.
🚫 Not Helpful:
A generic email that says, “Thank you for all you do!” (Nice, but…meh)
A pizza party…but only after adding five new initiatives to their workload
A “teacher appreciation” week that’s mostly about expecting teachers to do extra work for themed dress-up days.
✅ Actually Helpful:
A personal note or a quick “You’re doing amazing work” in the hallway
Acts of service, like covering a class for 15 minutes so the teacher can breathe
Actually listening to teachers when they say what they need
Final Thoughts: Leadership is About Trust and Support
The best school leaders aren’t micromanagers, they’re advocates, protectors, and supporters.
They trust their teachers.
They remove unnecessary stress instead of adding to it
They create a culture where teachers feel valued and empowered
Because at the end of the day, when teachers thrive, students thrive. And that’s what great leadership is about.
