Staff meetings are a great platform to encourage teacher voice, which can go a long way toward improving school culture. To do this, meeting leaders should strive to create a climate of trust that fosters and supports teachers’ belief in their ability to make an impact on students.
In positive school cultures, educators develop their voice through listening as much as by talking. Being mindful of tone and thoughtful about the ways questions are asked can have a significant impact on how effectively a leader’s message is delivered, and a bottom-up decision-making approach can empower teachers, facilitate greater professional development, and improve engagement and retention.
