This document provides tips for administrators to bridge the gap between teachers and administrators. It suggests that administrators should regularly attend student concern meetings to better understand classroom issues. It also recommends administrators do informal "3x3" classroom visits to build familiarity and leave positive notes. Finally, it advises administrators to solicit teacher input and find ways to collaborate more closely to strengthen relationships and help all students.

1. Bridging the Gap:
The Teacher/Principal Disconnect

2. • Here are a few suggestions for
bridging the gap between teachers
and administrators to help kick off
the next school year.
2

3. • Tip #1: Perfect Attendance
• Barring any emergencies, administrators
should attend weekly student concerns
meetings.
• The academic and behavioral data
presented at these meetings, along with
teacher anecdotes, promotes important
discussions that identify possible
patterns and challenges.
3

4. • This discussion helps to isolate variables
such as whether this is a singular subject
issue, or if the student is demonstrating
behavioral and/or anecdotal patterns
across multiple classes.
4

5. • Tip #2: Informal Visits
• Try “3×3” visits for the entire
school year.
• The administrator visits the
classroom for 5-10 minutes,
leaves a note (often on a 3×3
Post-it) of something they
observed that they enjoyed,
leaves it on the teacher’s desk,
and moves on to the next room.
5

6. • Spontaneous visits like this let the
teacher and students know that
administrators don’t just come to
classrooms when there’s a problem.
• Like any relationship,time
together helps build bonds.
• If it is an evaluation year for a
teacher, the administrator's
familiarity with their students and
setting will be a win-win for
everyone.
6

7. • Tip #3: Getting Woke
• Administrators should ask for teacher
input — and use it.
• Veteran teachers have a wealth of
knowledge while rookies have fresh
ideas, including more ways to include
new technology.
7

8. • Administrators should consider
collaboratingwith teachers and staff to
create more shared spaces in the school.
• Consider blurring boundaries
between administrators and teachers
• Administrators might try teaching a
Google classroom lesson
• Allow teachers to use the administrator's
office as a private conference room for
impromptu meetings
8

9. • Closer relationships between
administrators and teachers can close
the achievement gap and help students
meet their goals.
• Start the school year with a candid
conversation:
• What suggestions do administrators have for
teachers?
• How can teachers support the administrative
staff?
9

10. 10
• What’s happening in your school?
• Is teacher engagement high, or is
there a disconnect between the
classroom and the front office?
• Join the conversation!

11. Want more?
Binge watch… Read the full blog… Like some podcasts!

12. Have we met socially?

13. Thank you!