Last month, we talked to School Heads about the importance of adopting a year-long induction process for new teachers. Let’s allow that momentum to carry us onward and take a look at what other private-independent schools have done to inspire next year’s meetings and induction programs.
Teacher Scavenger Hunts
Student scavenger hunts are an entertaining and dynamic way to help newcomers explore their new school, but why should students have all the fun? Scavenger hunts during back-to-school in-service days not only introduce new teachers to their colleagues, but also acclimate them to their school, too. This activity can be adapted for both individual and team formats, but make sure teams are evenly mixed with both fresh and veteran teachers if you decide to make it a group activity.
At South Park Elementary School, Principal Dave Sherman’s scavenger hunt during his “back to school” faculty meeting took only 45 minutes. Teachers formed teams as they deciphered school-specific clues like “Find the hottest thing in the school” (the art class’s kiln) or “Prove that ‘you can’t say you can’t play’,” a phrase taken from their school’s mission.
Sherman says that “there was a lot of terrific debate, discussion, and good natured arguing. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun: they discovered new areas of the school; they worked with some new people; and they saw first-hand the engaging power of critical thinking.”
Creative Workshops
You can only host so many “inspirational speakers” for your teachers before topics begin to blur. This year, invite a speaker who can teach a skill supporting teamwork, leadership, or even healthy living.
That’s what Stoneleigh-Burham School did last year for its professional development day at the end of winter break. One of the afternoon workshops consisted of learning to draw zentangles. These doodle-covered squares are remarkable individually, but—when assembled—create beautiful ink murals. (The parallels to teamwork are beautiful, too.) Some teachers posted pictures of their work on Facebook with titles like “Best Faculty In-Service Day Ever.”
One Spanish teacher remarked on the quiet of the room while everyone carefully crafted their creations. She even found a connection between the simple, meditative activity and their school’s goals: “We [the school administrators and teachers] had been talking about the need for ‘quiet’ in the lives of our girls. So this [workshop] really set a great tone.”
Sometimes, it's the less-obvious, tangential connections to a school’s mission and work that create the most beautiful and beneficial progress.
Praise the Little Things
You don’t always have to have one large event or meeting to make your teachers—whatever their experience level—feel appreciated. Make a point of demonstrating your appreciation for their efforts, big or small, privately or publicly.
Middle School Head Ken Rogers thanks his teachers publicly by way of his “Kudos” system at The Wellington School during faculty meetings. He leaves a stack of note cards next to an envelope in his office for teachers to offer “kudos” to their peers when they observe something great, whether it’s a specific event (like helping with an Open House) or more general (like having a great attitude with recalcitrant students).
Rogers will read these cards out loud during faculty meetings and pick one at random to receive a small plastic bus as the “award” to display in the winner’s classroom for the next month. They call the bus the “Rosa award” because it “displays on the bus behaviors,” Rogers explained. Thanking teachers for jobs well done is so important, “Kudos” are written at the top of the meeting agenda during faculty meetings as the first thing to do!
Whether you choose to adopt a similar system or develop your own, remembering to thank and support your teachers should be first on your school's list for teacher induction and support activities.
Additional ISM Resources:
ISM Research: New Teacher Induction Programs
ISM Monthly Update for School Heads Vol. 12 No. 9 “Introducing…New Teachers!”
ISM Monthly Updates for Division Heads Vol. 11 No. 9 Dear National Teacher Day: A Letter to First Year Teachers
Additional ISM Resources for Gold Consortium members:
I&P Vol. 27 No. 13 Teacher Induction That Supports and Inspires
I&P Vol. 35 No. 16 New Faculty and Your School’s Purpose and Outcome Statements
