Leading with Compassion: A Game-Changer in Education

Hey there, fellow educators! Let's talk about something that can truly transform our schools: leading with compassion. It's not just a feel-good phrase—it's a powerful approach that can create a positive ripple effect throughout your entire educational community. So, how can we put this into practice? Let's dive in!

1. Show Up and Really Listen

First things first: be present. And I mean really present. It's not just about being physically there; it's about actively listening to your teachers, students, and staff. Here's how:

• Schedule regular check-ins with your team and keep that time sacred.

• Practice active listening: hear what they are saying and remember what they have shared with you.

• Be thoughtfully and intentionally transparent: Of course there are confidential topics we cannot disclose to our teams. However, you can always be transparent about your intentions. "I don't have an immediate solution and I know that is frustrating, but here are my next steps in finding an answer for you."

I am a special education program manager at a public school district in California. I am at no school site and I am also at all school sites. What does showing up and really listening look like for me? When someone is facing a challenge and reaches out for support, I show up in their classroom and I listen to them. I go if I already have a solution and I go if I don't. I set clear next steps and I follow up.

Remember, when people feel heard, they feel valued. And valued people move mountains.

2. Celebrate Every Victory (Big or Small!)

In the hustle and bustle of school life, it's easy to focus only on the big wins. But here's the secret sauce: celebrate it all! Did a student improve their grade by 5%? Awesome! Did a teacher try a new teaching method? High five! Here's how to make celebration a habit:

• Start staff meetings with a round of "wins" from the past week.

• Positive PR: Share their wins with other district/school leaders.

• Publicly share their wins. For those who do not like the personal attention, celebrate them by sharing the wins of their students.

What does this look like for me? If I have a strong new teacher, my positive PR campaign is on at all times. When I see their principal: "I was just in Teacher A's classroom and her students are engaged in ways that I have never seen with previous teachers." When I see our superintendent: "I had this sped teacher at [School] who volunteered her time over the weekend to help another teacher make materials. Isn't that amazing?" People love to hear great news. Don't overdo it, but share with others!

When you celebrate progress, you create a culture of growth and positivity.

3. Give Frequent and Specific Positive Feedback

Positive feedback is like water for plants—it helps people grow. But not all feedback is created equal. Make yours count by being frequent and specific. Try this:

• Aim to give at least one piece of positive feedback daily: go even one step further and keep track of your positive feedback so you make sure you're sharing the wealth.

• Be specific: instead of "Good job," try "I loved how you engaged the quiet students in today's discussion."

• Use a variety of methods: in-person, email, handwritten notes, public shout-outs.

This is one of my favorite activities. Whenever I am in a teacher's classroom, I am practicing this skill. "You are so animated when you taught that science lesson. Immediately the students were into it. Even Vincent--he usually takes a bit to get into it, but he was right there with you, naming the types of penguins!" "This is why we had no doubts when hiring you. You are collaborative, you're focused on growth, and you are not afraid to dive into new, difficult concepts."

The more specific your praise, the more impact it has. It shows you're really paying attention.

Putting It All Together

Leading with compassion isn't rocket science, but it does take intentional effort. Start small: pick one of these strategies and commit to it for a week. Then add another. Before you know it, you'll be creating a school environment where everyone—students, teachers, and staff—can thrive. Remember, you can't always make their jobs easier. What you can do is make them feel heard and valued.

Remember, compassionate leadership isn't just nice to have; it's necessary for creating schools and programs where learning flourishes and people feel valued. So go ahead, lead with your heart. Your school communities will thank you for it!