The education environment can be a difficult one at the best of times. With ever-changing legislation, continually evolving best practices, and increasing pressures on industry professionals, it isn’t too surprising that schools and educational institutions are currently struggling to keep their heads above water.

The key to weathering this storm is to build and retain strong teaching teams, but knowing how to achieve this goal can present its own challenges. With this in mind, let’s explore some of the top things every HR professional should know about harnessing the power of an effective and strong education workforce.

Why Are Strong Teaching Teams So Important?

When it comes to HR and educational leadership, understanding the importance of strong teaching teams is the first step towards creating a collegiate culture that can transform the school environment.

The power of a team is its ability to make tasks more manageable, with everything from handling challenging students to planning lessons becoming far simpler when dealt with as a single team.

Investment in collaboration, coordination, and cohesiveness can make a huge difference in teaching practice. Creating an environment where each professional feels heard and valued and is happy to work seamlessly and in harmony with their colleagues is key to success both inside and outside the classroom.

Putting Together The Team

Before any teaching team can become strong and effective, it must first contain the right people. Recruitment is a vital component in building the best possible team in any workspace, but especially in education. Finding individuals who are comfortable pulling together with their colleagues and working in synchronisation for the greater good of the school is imperative.

So, which qualities should you be looking for in your future staff members?

Initiative

It goes without saying that initiative is crucial. Teachers keen to jump into something new, who aren’t afraid to lead the way, and who are eager to introduce new approaches and ideas will bring drive and dynamic energy to the team.

Commitment

Teachers who are committed to their own ongoing learning and professional development can demonstrate not only their passion for education but also their willingness to grow and evolve.

Leadership Ability

Even when not employed in a management role, a teacher who has innate leadership skills and can drive and influence others will be an asset to your school.

How To Identify Talent

Identifying the right talent to join your teaching team may seem overwhelming, but it’s all about asking the right questions and looking more deeply into each applicant’s resume.

Look more closely into evidence that they have nurtured the growth of others, that they have gone above and beyond to support their colleagues and take the lead on projects. Find out more about their own personal development. How have they furthered their own knowledge and learning? Where have they stepped outside their comfort zone and pushed their boundaries?

Examine their breadth of experience, too. For example, have they spent time overseas teaching English as a foreign language? This type of experience can be worth its weight in gold since it proves resilience, dedication, patience, and adaptability – all enormous strengths to add to your teaching team.

Strengthening Your Teaching Team

Once you’ve put together your teaching dream team, the next step is to strengthen it and build a cohesive group that will eventually lead to a cooperative, unified workforce within which every member feels supported, engaged, and valued.

Team Building

As an HR professional and educational leader, including team building activities both inside and outside the work environment, can play a vital role in fostering greater understanding and interaction between individual staff members. Whether approached simply as icebreakers during staff members or full-day outings, these shared experiences bring a greater sense of community and family across the team, helping them to learn how to harness their own unique skills for the good of the whole.

Communication

No team can achieve ultimate strength without clear communication, so establishing protocols early couldn’t be more important. Creating spaces where open discussions can take place, holding regular meetings, and using technology to ensure easy and efficient communication will ensure that everyone remains in the loop and can make their voice heard.

Conflict Resolution

Even the strongest team will experience conflict from time to time, but having a supportive approach to conflict resolution will make the workplace more cohesive and positive. Encouraging team members to openly discuss their concerns and taking action to mediate any conflicts straight away will eventually result in a collaborative workforce that knows how to address potential problems and deal with them before they get out of hand.

Mentorship And Celebration

By establishing mentorship programmes, recognising each team member’s efforts, and celebrating milestones together, teams can grow in strength and supportiveness.

Leading A Strong Team

No team can stay strong and resilient without effective leadership, and good management has a crucial part to play when it comes to motivating and inspiring teachers to go above and beyond and strive for excellence in all they do. By framing each challenge as an opportunity, excellent leaders will pull their weight together with their workforce while also being able to spearhead each initiative with enthusiasm and confidence.

Fostering Respect And Trust

A strong leader fosters trust and respect amongst their team as they feel assured their efforts will always be rewarded and recognised. In a positive and respectful environment, team members know they can freely express their ideas without fear of reprisal or derision. They will benefit from mutual support – something that makes all the difference in a school’s pressured environment.

While it may seem increasingly difficult for HR to build a strong teaching team in today’s educational landscape, with the right approach to recruitment, a positive attitude towards collaboration, and strong, inspirational leadership, it’s possible to put together an amazing team of education professionals who can motivate the next generation and help them to achieve great things.

 Guest writer.