Fuel a Positive Culture: Support Your Support Staff

Paras, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers all contribute to your culture. How do you ensure they feel valued as members of your school community? 

Co-authors and former principals Robert Feirsen and Seth Weitzman offer these 5 practices to show your support staff (and all staff) support!

1. Foster a “We’re all in this together” mindset. The authors offer two tools: Storytelling and celebrating heroes. Tell the story of the custodian who was named by one of your 5th graders as their go-to person in the building because she stopped to ask if the student was okay when she saw her crying in the hall last year. Now, they touch base most days. Spotlight how your secretary has a knack for keeping things calm and offer the recent example of how he kindly welcomed an angry and agitated parent, offering her a coffee and breakfast bar and getting curious about what’s been going on for her.
2. Hold regularly scheduled role-alike meetings. Remind them of their impactful contributions. Ask how you can better support them, what they need. Invite them to share their observations about what’s going well and what needs attention.
3. Show gratitude. Point out the work of support staff and invite teachers, students, and families to notice and give thanks.
4. Now and then, walk in their shoes. When moments call for all-hands-on-deck, be ready to pitch in. For example, if after a concert, a community group is waiting to use your gym, help stack chairs or sweep the floor.
5. Never tolerate abuse. Support staff are often on the front lines and can be subjected to inconsiderate behavior. Address those perpetrating that behavior immediately. 

“Outstanding service to children and families would not be possible without the help of administrative assistants, secretaries, custodians, monitors, cafeteria aides, and crossing guards who create and maintain a nurturing, organized, orderly, clean, and safe environment. In return, they need recognition, open dialogue, a shared sense of purpose, and reassurance that school leaders have their backs.”

Read the full article here.