Base Every Decision on Your Superstars

Todd Whitaker describes the superstar teachers that we have in our schools as those that parents often request, would not be replaceable, are respected by peers and are remembered by former students as one of their best teachers. These are the top five to ten percent of our teaching staff, making for only a few superstars in a typical school. Whitaker writes about the importance of these people to effective principals. When making any decision, principals should be considering what their best teachers would think. His studied showed that effective principals routinely consulted informal teacher leaders for input. These teachers are usually happy to share their opinion, can keep conversations confidential (otherwise they would not have the respect of their peers) and have a school or district-wide vision that extends beyond the walls of their own classroom. This doesn’t mean that effective principals do not involve other teachers in decision-making; this is still important to do and gives them the feeling that they are part of the decision. What it means is that the superstars should always be considered or consulted in decision-making that impacts change on the whole school.

Whitaker makes a very interesting and valid point regarding the difference between effective and other principals regarding the confidence to seek input, both in advance and after the fact, from their best teachers. Less effective principals tend to be reluctant to have the superstar teachers in their schools, as they are more conscious of the fact that these teacher leaders are watching. If we don’t have confidence in ourselves, we are uncomfortable having outstanding colleagues around. This applies for teachers as well as principals. However, when we have confidence in ourselves, we relish opportunities to work with outstanding colleagues and use these chances to improve our skills and practice.

Whitaker, T. (2003). What great principals do differently: Fifteen things that matter most. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.