What sets our schools apart from any other kind of education? We all have access to the same books and information. We all have access to the same array of mechanisms for delivering that information from classrooms to the internet. Why the extra cost and sacrifice to operate and participate in a school?
What makes the school?
Jonas Sauder’s labor in education spans many decades. Probably most of us have benefited from his influence either directly or indirectly. Anyone who has met Jonas has likely caught a little of the joy that motivates him as a teacher. Not only has he modeled faithful, loving teaching but has worked to raise the bar and provide opportunities in teacher training and support. Besides his teaching experience, Jonas has over three decades of experience in school administration, helped establish Teachers Week at Faith Builders, spoken at countless events, and invested in Christian education in various ways through his work at Christian Light. In this episode Jonas outlines a range of considerations, questions, and practices that will enable you to continue growing in caring for the teachers at your school.
As you think about supporting your teachers, you might do what Jonas tried once. He simply asked his staff: “What do you need from me as a principle?” You’ll hear what they had to say in the talk. What would your teachers say?
Ideas for Supporting Your Staff
The Essentials of Teaching
If you haven’t seen it yet, take a few minutes to browse the Essentials of Teaching Series on the Dock for Learning website. It’s a concise curation of many of the resources available on the Dock collected into a series of 1-3 page downloadable PDFs. From classroom management, to planning field trips, to strengthening your science class, there’s a lot here that could assist you as a school leader in supporting your staff.
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