Well-Being of School Community: Admin’s Influence on Educator Experience

Following this viral thread discussing the focus on school leaders’ role in the ongoing teacher shortage, educators shared their perspectives on admin power dynamics and their influence on their experience in the classroom.

  • “I’m so sick of seeing the ‘teachers quit cause of bad admin’ posts. No. Teachers ALSO quit because…– wage isn’t livable

– no support from school board

– parents who work against them

– unrealistic expectations

  • – unlivable work hours

And MANY other things. Can we stop acting like everything is the admin fault? Yes, there are TERRIBLE admin out there. But there are so many areas we can work on instead of always placing the blame in one place.” —Administrator in Texas

    • “I am tired of the ‘admin as victim’ mentality. Admin have power. They sit with district heads routinely. They could organize, push back on things. Unrealistic expectations/work hours are a huge part of why folks leave. Admin can 100% impact that.” —Elementary Teacher in Florida 
    • “I think the point about admin is that their leadership style is often what pushes most teachers out. Especially when they continually step outside of their lane and consider themselves master teachers when in fact many are not. I think their roles need to be redefined.” —Elementary Teacher in Nevada 
    • “When I quit after 16 years it was because of bad admin. I had some amazing principals. But mainly it was lack of support and being treated badly. I’m not discounting parents who work against them, unrealistic pay and expectations, and unlivable work hours. But bad admin exist.” —Former Educator in Kentucky
    • “There are a great deal of incredible admin working around the clock until late at night and all weekend who have many things working against them as well and sometimes fall short of being and doing all they wish they could for everyone.” —Elementary Principal in Pennsylvania
    • “I absolutely adore my principal. She hasn’t been out of the classroom that long & relies on her experience as a teacher when building relationships with staff, parents, & students. Very supportive !! *If I were to leave my district it would be due to pay & Central Office*” —Elementary ELA Teacher in Texas
    • “As someone who left teaching, I have to say that there are multiple issues pushing teachers out. Workload, lack of respect, low pay, policy & law that prevent meeting student needs and more. This is a complex issue there is no single cause or solution.” —Former Educator in Arizona 
    • “I agree with Todd about the other reasons teachers quit; however, as a former administrator, I never wanted to be the ultimate reason or the ‘final straw’ that made teachers leave my building or district. Great leaders would agree!” —Former Administrator in Ohio
    • “The thing about good admin? They are a buffer, when possible, between teachers and the other stuff. – They protect teachers’ time – They find $ for resources – They advocate in teachers’ best interest. As the system forces people to leave, good admin can get teachers to stay.” —High School English Teacher in Texas
  • “I’m just a 17-year veteran teacher, saying that if not for a couple of great admin early in my career? I would never have made it past year five. All the good admin out there–keep doing what y’all do & support those struggling teachers.” —Middle School Teacher in Georgia