Check out our list of tips for fostering positive relationships with colleagues at your school.

Invest time in developing a good relationship with your principal. The more the principal knows about your philosophies and how you teach, the more the principal will support you during the year.

Principals tend to be very busy. Find out from other educators or from the principal the best way to communicate with them. Is it face-to-face in the hallway or cafeteria, by making an appointment, sending an email, or leaving a phone message? Understanding these things helps to build a stronger relationship.

If you have a complaint or a frustration to share, keep your wits about you as you converse with the principal. Your administrator traditionally has seen and heard a lot of stories. They understand and has had the same experience with the same learner, parent, or colleague.

Convey with your administrator about something positive that has happened in your class. Principals sometimes only hear about challenges.

Demonstrate that you care about your coworkers by bringing treats to the educator’s lounge with a note that thanks them for the chance to work with such a talented group of educators.

Find out from your coworkers through weekly team planning and team teaching. Remain a team player. Partake and do your part. Cooperation brings out the strengths and talents of every educator.

Ask other educators for ideas, procedures, and other material to help you in your work. Successful and happy teachers do not teach in isolation. Other educators have valuable knowledge, wisdom, and experience that will assist us in making our job easier.

Analyze the academic history of each learner. Take note of strengths and weaknesses, and apply that as you work with your learners. Ask to have professional conversations with other educators about your concerns for your learner’s academic or social performance.

In elementary grades, set aside a day to send home letters to parents. Utilize this opportunity to send home extended learning activities for parents and learners to work on together. Parents will expect the events and any calendar info they need next week. Have learners return a confirmation that their parents received the letter.

Meeting parents/guardians for a parent-educator conference may be very intimidating, but it is also very rewarding. You are working together to support the learner, review his or her progress, and assist the learner in achieving his or her goals. Be prepared prior to, during, and after the conference.