5 Things Every School Owner Should Know About Managing Teachers

One of the biggest mistakes school owners make is thinking that managing teachers simply means telling them what to do. It doesn’t.

Teachers are professionals. And like every professional team, they need clarity, support, supervision, feedback and accountability.

Here are 5 things every school owner should understand:

1. Don’t manage teachers only when there is a problem.

If the only time a teacher hears from you is when something goes wrong, you are not really managing performance.

You are reacting to problems. Good management involves regular communication, observation, feedback and follow-up before problems become serious.

2. Don’t assume that a good teacher automatically makes a good employee.

Someone may be excellent in the classroom and still struggle with: punctuality, documentation, teamwork, communication, professional conduct, and following school procedures.

Teaching ability is important, but it is only one part of professional performance.

3. Give teachers clear expectations.

“Do your best” is not a management system. Teachers should know:

a. What is expected of them

b. What they are responsible for

c. Who they report to

d. What they must submit

e. How their performance will be monitored

f. What happens when expectations are not met

Clarity reduces confusion.

4. Accountability should not begin with punishment.

When a teacher is underperforming, don’t immediately ask:“How do I punish this teacher?”
First ask: “Why is this teacher underperforming?”

Is the expectation unclear?

Is the teacher lacking a skill?

Is there inadequate supervision?

Is the workload unreasonable?

Is there a resource problem?

Or is it simply a matter of attitude or unwillingness?

The answer determines the appropriate management response.

5. Don’t build a school that depends on your constant presence.

If teachers only perform when the proprietor is physically around, you don’t have a strong management system yet.

Your school should have:

clear roles, competent supervision, proper reporting, accountability, and feedback.

That is what allows a school to function consistently even when the owner is not standing over everyone.

The real lesson for school owners

Managing teachers is not about controlling people.

It is about creating an environment where people know what is expected, have what they need to perform, receive feedback, and are held accountable for their responsibilities.

And here is the question I want to ask school owners:

Which is more difficult in your school right now- getting teachers to understand what is expected of them, or getting them to consistently do what is expected?