Frederick D. White, Ed. D

Most people don't recall favorite lessons; they recall favorite teachers.

3 ways to build rapport with teachers...

In my experience, teachers are hungry for inspiration. That might surprise some people. After all, teachers are already committed to their work. They care deeply about their students. They see the value in what they do every day. But even meaningful work can be draining. Teaching requires patience, energy, empathy, and resilience. Day after day, teachers give their best to their students—and sometimes their buckets run a little low. That’s why great leaders understand something important: part of their job is to refill it. Over the years, I’ve found that three simple leadership practices can go a long way toward energizing teachers. 1. Support Them If you ask teachers what they want most from their administrators, the answer is remarkably consistent: Support. Teachers want to know that when things get challenging with a student—or dicey with a parent—someone has their back. They want to feel trusted, respected, and protected. When teachers feel supported, something powerful happens. They become more confident. They become more willing to take risks. They become more creative and courageous in their classrooms. In other words, when teachers know there’s a safety net beneath them, they dare to be spectacular. 2. Remind Them I believe most teachers entered this profession for the same reason: they love kids, and they want to make a difference. But there are moments when the calling can start to feel more like a job. Students can be unruly. Parents can be frustrating. Mandates can feel overwhelming. And grading can pile up faster than anyone expected. Add in high-stakes testing, and the joy of teaching can sometimes get buried under the weight of the work. That’s where leadership matters. Great administrators help teachers keep the challenges in perspective. They consistently bring the focus back to what matters most—students. They remind teachers that their work is important. They remind them that their influence is real.
They remind them that what they do each day truly changes lives. And teachers who stay connected to that purpose hold on to the passion that fuels their fire. 3. Show Them The most inspiring leaders don’t just talk about great teaching. They model it. They don’t just encourage collaboration—they collaborate.
They don’t just ask teachers to take risks—they take risks themselves.
They don’t just talk about relationships—they build them with students. Teachers aren’t inspired by administrators who talk a good game but never step onto the field. Great leaders don’t manage from their office. They lead from the hallway. From the classroom.
From the cafeteria. They are present. They are engaged. And they are intentional about setting the example. They aren’t simply telling teachers the way—they are modeling the way. And that kind of authenticity is incredibly powerful.   When teachers are excited about teaching, their students become more excited about learning. Great administrators don’t just hope positive energy shows up in their school. They bring it. They don’t wait for teachers to be inspired. They work to inspire them. Because the best leaders understand something simple but profound: They can influence the motivation of their teachers—and when they do, everyone in the school benefits. Rock on, Danny