Five tips for creating a positive working environment for teachers
The last few years have brought employee wellbeing into sharp focus, particularly in the education sector. As COVID lockdowns intensified the gaze on wellness, businesses around the world began to invest more resources into creating a positive working environment and keeping track of their employees’ welfare.
A positive working environment can make a huge difference to a teacher’s health, happiness and productivity. The best way to attract and maintain excellent school teachers is by fostering a healthy work environment. Effective teachers improve the quality of education. Every school system should strive to provide a work environment that's truly conducive to learning.
These five tips should help create a positive working environment and improve teacher wellbeing.
Acknowledge teachers’ individual needs
Schools will normally accommodate a diverse range of staff members, with different lifestyles, responsibilities and needs. Within the fast-paced world of education, personal challenges can often be overlooked as leaders have less face-to-face time with their team members, making it harder to spot potential issues.
Schools must be able to identify if a teacher is facing any issues and offer to make any adjustments that would ensure they can perform their role to the best of their ability. This can be as simple as assessing a teacher’s work-life balance and asking if they are experiencing any potential distractions or challenges that are affecting their working lives.
If a team member knows that you are aware of their individual needs and willing to cater for them, it can drastically reduce their stress levels and contribute to a more positive working environment.
Encourage career development
Talking to your teaching staff about their career development will promote a healthy work ethic. Putting growth opportunities on the table, whether a promotion or additional training, shows that you are investing both time and money in your employees’ future.
This is an integral feature of a positive work environment. Teachers will feel more assured that they can develop their careers with your school, with positive consequences for your retention rate. Studies show that the majority of workers place career growth high on the list of their priorities, and that it can provide motivation to produce better results at work.
Always show your appreciation
Gestures of appreciation, large or small, can go a long way in creating a positive work environment for teachers. Taking a couple of minutes to tell your employee why their contributions are so valuable to your school can have a tremendous impact on their working life and the environment as a whole.
Try to make a habit of showing appreciation by dedicating the first 10 minutes of each meeting to acknowledging individual accomplishments and praising the overall team performance. This way, your employees are aware that their hard work is being acknowledged, and should feel encouraged to keep striving for the best results.
Promote a positive team connection
Building positive connections and relationships between all your employees fosters a culture of collaboration that makes teachers at all levels feel included in the team.
One of the most powerful benefits of team building is developing skills like communication, planning, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. A close-knit team can increase productivity, improve educational standards and contribute to a healthy work environment. Some examples of team-building exercises include:
-
Group dinners and general after-work socialising
-
Teacher support days
-
Organising charity events together
-
Quiz nights
-
Summer retreats
-
Sports days
Promote Diversity and Inclusivity
A positive, inclusive work environment starts with welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and celebrating their differences. Encourage employees to share their stories with the rest of the team, promote inclusive language and think about creating a committee that tackles diversity initiatives.
Diversity should be a part of your recruitment strategy, and the benefits of a diverse workforce will extend to your pupils too.. An environment where teachers are comfortable and feel accepted will be one that sees higher team morale and performance.
Build your team with Teaching Personnel
If you are looking for teachers, supply teachers, teaching assistants or SEN teachers, then Teaching Personnel can help. We understand the difference a great teacher can make to your students’ education, and that’s why we only provide the top talent in the country.
We are the UK's leading education recruitment agency. Every academic year we provide staff to over 5,000 schools, delivering a national service on a local scale from our 80 branches. If you would like us to help you fill your school with the best teachers in the UK, contact Teaching Personnel to start the conversation.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£130 - 165 per day
Location free text
Wandsworth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Wandsworth
Description
Secondary SEN Teaching Assistant Location: England, Greater London, WandsworthJob Type: Permanent, Full-TimeSalary: £130 - £165 Per dayJob Duties: Supporting secondary school students with Special
Reference
SEFCTA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wimbledon BranchAuthor
Wimbledon BranchSalary
£83.85 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Doncaster
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Doncaster
Description
Job Title: Teaching Assistant Location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire Contract Type: Full-time or Part-time, Term-time Only Salary: £83.85 - £100 per day Job Description We are looking for a caring and
Reference
AH30102
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£12.82 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Clitheroe
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Clitheroe
Description
Key Stage 2 Teaching Assistant Location: Clitheroe, Lancashire Start Date: January 2025 Pay: Starting at £75 per day, dependent on experience Position: Full-time, Term-time onlyAre you a compassionate
Reference
KS2 TA BB7 30/10
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire East PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire East PrimarySalary
£12.90 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Burnley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Burnley
Description
Key Stage 2 Teaching Assistant Location: Clitheroe, Lancashire Start Date: January 2025 Pay: Starting at £80 per day, dependent on experience Position: Full-time, Term-time onlyAre you a compassionate
Reference
KS2 TA BB12 30/10
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire East PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire East PrimarySalary
£120 - 159 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£500 - £749 per week
Sector
Teacher
Location
Sheffield
Description
Are you passionate about teaching and looking for a flexible, rewarding career? Teaching Personnel is searching for enthusiastic, dedicated supply teachers to join our dynamic team. We offer exciting
Reference
JH30102
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£83.85 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Less than £500 per week
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Sheffield
Description
Are you passionate about supporting students' learning journeys and making a positive impact in the classroom? Teaching Personnel are rectuiring passionate Teaching Assistants to work in schools in Sh
Reference
JH30101
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£140 - 200 per day
Location free text
Bristol
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Autism
Location
Bristol
Description
Do you want to work in an inclusive and vibrant provision where you’re well supported by TA’s? Teaching Personnel are seeking a Secondary SEN performing arts teacher for a provision in the South of Br
Reference
CHperfomTeach
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Bristol SENAuthor
Bristol SENSalary
£83.85 - 90.00 per day
Location free text
Uckfield
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEMH
Location
East Sussex
Description
Job Title: Behaviour Support AssistantLocation: Uckfield Contract Type: Part-Time Salary: £12.90-14.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications Start Date: ASAPTeaching Personnel are worki
Reference
BSA301024LH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Brighton PrimaryAuthor
Brighton PrimarySalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Northampton
Description
Do you love teaching and have a passion for supporting students, but hate the constraints of the classroom? Then you should consider 1:1 tutoring!There has been an increase of young people who are una
Reference
Northampton tutor
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£80 - 90 per day
Location free text
Southampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Primary
Location
Southampton
Description
Teaching Assistant opportunties needed for next term!We are looking for experienced Teaching Assistants to join one of our partner schools for next term to work in a KS2 class,The school is located in
Reference
309332
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire PrimaryAuthor
Hampshire PrimaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As 31st October approaches, it’s a significant date for many teachers in the UK who may be considering their professional future. Teaching has always been one of the most rewarding professions. Y
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
At the end of October, we are excited to unveil our new eLearning platform, the Educator CPD Academy. This innovative platform will enhance your learning experience while maintaining ac
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Teaching assistants (TAs) are an invaluable part of schools today. Their dedication and hard work deserve to be celebrated! Their impact is so meaningful that pupils often remember the differenc
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
School is finally out for summer. Final-year students have left with scribbled shirts for pastures new. Final assemblies have taken place, and thank-you cards and gifts have been gratefully receiv
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Poor attendance has been an issue across the UK since the pandemic. According to recent statistics, pupil absenteeism in England soared to 22% by 2023. This equates to over 125,000 pupils missing
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As the academic year peaks, the pressure of exams can overwhelm pupils. Many teachers believe that tests and exams have the biggest impact on students’ mental health. With GCSEs, SATs, and A-Levels
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
The teacher recruitment crisis is a priority for school leaders across the country. In the 2021–22 academic year, 4000 teachers retired, and 9% of the teaching workforce resigned, marking the highes
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Supply TeachingContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou
by
Alex Schulte
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job