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00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:18 Good morning, Your Morning Boost listeners. Happy Tuesday to you all.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:25 Today, June 10th, marks National Iced Tea Day, a perfect excuse for a refreshing pick-me-up.
00:00:25 --> 00:00:29 I'm Jess Hansen, and I'm really excited to be joining you each day this week
00:00:29 --> 00:00:32 as a new contributor with AWB Education.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:37 As you're gearing up for fall initiatives, a critical component of successful
00:00:37 --> 00:00:40 planning is effectively incorporating feedback from your staff.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:45 Your teachers, support staff, and administrators are on the front lines every
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 day, and their insights are invaluable.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:53 Neglecting their perspectives can lead to initiatives that miss the mark or
00:00:53 --> 00:00:54 face significant resistance.
00:00:55 --> 00:00:59 Today, we're going to explore practical ways to not only solicit,
00:00:59 --> 00:01:04 but genuinely integrate staff feedback into your strategic planning for the
00:01:04 --> 00:01:08 upcoming academic year, ensuring a more collaborative and effective launch.
00:01:11 --> 00:01:17 All right, let's talk about turning staff feedback into actionable plans for your fall initiatives.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 First, establish clear feedback channels.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 Make it easy for staff to share their thoughts. This could be through anonymous
00:01:24 --> 00:01:30 surveys, suggestion boxes, open-door policies, or dedicated feedback sessions.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:35 For example, you might utilize digital tools like Google Forms for anonymous
00:01:35 --> 00:01:40 surveys on specific topics, or set up informal Coffee with the Principal sessions.
00:01:40 --> 00:01:44 I once set up a Dream Big suggestion box in the staff lounge,
00:01:44 --> 00:01:48 and the surprising ideas we received completely transformed our approach to
00:01:48 --> 00:01:49 professional development that year.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:55 Next, actively listen and acknowledge. When feedback is given,
00:01:56 --> 00:01:59 truly listen without interruption and acknowledge what you've heard.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:04 Even if you can't implement every suggestion, showing that you've heard and
00:02:04 --> 00:02:05 understood goes a long way.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 For example, rephrase their feedback to confirm understanding.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:14 So, if I'm hearing you correctly, the biggest challenge with our current grading
00:02:14 --> 00:02:19 system is, According to a study by Gallup, engaged employees are more likely
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 to offer constructive feedback.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:25 Creating a culture where feedback is valued is key to engagement.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 Then, synthesize and prioritize feedback.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:34 Once collected, analyze the feedback for common themes and prioritize areas
00:02:34 --> 00:02:38 that align with your strategic goals or address critical pain points.
00:02:38 --> 00:02:42 If multiple staff members suggest a need for more professional development on
00:02:42 --> 00:02:47 differentiated instruction, for instance, this becomes a high-priority area for fall planning.
00:02:48 --> 00:02:53 Finally, communicate how feedback will be used, or why not.
00:02:54 --> 00:02:58 Transparency is crucial. Let staff know how their feedback is being considered,
00:02:58 --> 00:03:03 what changes will be made as a result, and if some suggestions can't be implemented, explain why.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:08 You could send out a summary email outlining key feedback themes and how they've
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 influenced the fall plan, or present it at a staff meeting.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:16 I remember a time when our budget wouldn't allow for a popular staff suggestion,
00:03:16 --> 00:03:21 but by clearly explaining the financial constraints, we actually built more
00:03:21 --> 00:03:23 trust rather than resentment.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:32 Successfully incorporating staff feedback involves establishing clear channels,
00:03:32 --> 00:03:36 actively listening, synthesizing and prioritizing what you hear,
00:03:36 --> 00:03:40 and then communicating transparently about how that feedback is being used.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:46 When your staff feels heard and valued, they become more invested in the success
00:03:46 --> 00:03:47 of your school's initiatives.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:52 Think of your staff as the experts on the ground. They see things you might
00:03:52 --> 00:03:57 not, and their collective wisdom is an untapped resource just waiting to be leveraged.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:03 When you empower them to contribute their ideas, you're not just improving your plans.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:07 You're building a stronger, more collaborative school community.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:12 Thanks for listening. We will talk with you again tomorrow. You have been listening
00:04:12 --> 00:04:17 to your Morning Boost by AWB Education in partnership with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:22 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:27 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:31 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.