Seen, heard, valued, respected, trusted

Trusted to have autonomy
5 Essentials Every School Must Prioritise: Insights from Educators Who Want to Be Seen, Heard, Valued, Trusted, and Respected

Imagine stepping into a workplace where each team member feels genuinely appreciated and recognised for their unique contributions.

In schools, where the mission is to shape future generations, ensuring that staff feel seen, heard, valued, trusted, and respected is not just beneficial—it's essential.

Let's dive into these five core needs of school staff and explore how your institution can cultivate a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Being Seen:
Importance of acknowledging staff efforts and achievements.
Simple ways to make everyone feel visible, like personal shout-outs or even a smile or hello when you see colleagues.

Being Heard:
Creating forums for open dialogue where staff can express ideas and concerns.
Practical steps to implement feedback effectively within a safe environment.

Being Valued:
Highlighting the significance of each person, their skills and their role within the school ecosystem.
Offering professional development and growth opportunities to show appreciation and to encourage challenge and growth..

Being Trusted:
Building a culture of trust through transparency and shared ownership in decision-making and policies.
Encouraging autonomy in teaching methods, content and project initiatives.

Being Respected:
The role of respectful interactions and communication among all school community members.
Establishing a respectful environment through consistent and fair practices.
Of course, these are all inter-connected.

However, here are some really simple things to try with your team:

• Set up a meeting with teams and ask what is working and what isn’t working so well. Actively seek, share and act on feedback and ideas.
• Focus on recognising and celebrating achievements, and hard work, however small
• Clarify team expectations on expected or reasonable working hours. Have the discussion.
• Ask teams and individuals what staff development they would appreciate. Then book it in.
• Encourage staff to take proper breaks ( research shows it makes us more productive).
• Ask your team “Are you OK? Can I help with anything?”
• Encourage sharing of ideas and viewpoints and honest discussions.
• When something doesn’t go to plan, say “ It’s OK, let’s look at what worked and what we can learn.”