With any new project as a school counselor, it is important to obtain teacher buy-in. There is no faster way for your brilliant idea or program to fail than when you have no teacher support. Teachers are the linchpin to your operation. They are the ones in the classrooms all day with students. Unless you can change the culture of your school as a one-man band, you will need your teachers on your side!
So how do you get them on your side?
Understand Teachers are BUSY!
First, understand that they are really busy and have a lot on their plates. No longer are they teaching one subject but they are expected to get student test scores to improve with often little time and resources. Social-emotional learning is not always their number one priority.
It is important to remember that there are many pieces to the puzzle to create the best environment for students. You are just one piece to the puzzle and teachers are another. They will come to the table with a completely different perspective than you.
While creating your program respect their time. Make it as easy as possible for them to participate!
Show teachers the benefits.
Why would a teacher want to jump on board with your new initiative? Explain the why! Why do you want to do something that is going to be more work for you? It needs to be worth it. Here is a list of great benefits to get your brain turning.
- Reduce behavior issues
- Less time for students out of the classroom
- Decreased office referrals
- Increased attendance
- More student engagement
- Better relationships with peers and staff
- Stronger classroom community
- Change in school culture
- Acceptance and understanding of other students
- Respect for school and community
- Increased engagement and learning
- Positive impact on test scores
Share our free sample lessons here!
Be a support system.
Change is hard and scary. Often we get pushed back to change simply because it is something new. Most people don’t like change. Be sensitive to that and don’t take it personally. It might not be your program that they are hating it could simply be the fact that it is new and different.
Give them support by training them on how easy it can be. Offer to come into the classroom if they are having trouble implementing it. Be patient and understand that there will be a learning curve.
We all know that social-emotional programs help students succeed. Know your teachers and use that knowledge to help them learn and understand the benefits of a social-emotional program. Once the ball gets rolling the results will speak for themselves. Teacher buy-in will fall into place.
While you are soliciting buy-in, don’t forget about principal buy-in!
February 2022 Update
Check out our podcast episode on Generating Teacher Buy-in!
