School administrators are the steady force that keep a school moving forward each day. From supporting students and families to guiding teachers and managing countless responsibilities behind the scenes, administrators play a critical role in shaping the culture. Their leadership sets the tone for learning, collaboration, and growth. While students may see principals and administrators as decision-makers, educators often see them as problem-solvers, encouragers, and the people who help hold everything together when challenges arise.
The pressure placed on school administrators is immense throughout the school year, but May often brings a unique level of intensity. End-of-year testing, staffing decisions, graduation preparations, discipline concerns, evaluations, scheduling, budget planning, and countless events all seem to collide at once. At the same time, administrators are working to maintain morale and support exhausted teachers and staff members who are pushing toward the finish line. The emotional and mental demands of leadership during this season can feel overwhelming, especially when administrators are trying to meet the needs of students, teachers, families, and districts all at the same time.
There are several practical ways administrators can navigate the challenges of May while also helping their teachers finish the year strong:
- Offer visible encouragement through handwritten notes, positive emails, snacks, or small gestures of appreciation. Reach out to your staff’s family members at home through a mailed letter to let them know how valuable their husband/wife/mother/father is to the school.
- Protect teachers’ time by limiting unnecessary meetings and streamlining communication whenever possible. Since schedules are already crazy at the end of school, consider how you can give the gift of time (extra planning) to teachers.
- Ask what is creating extra work for staff and try to act on what you learned. If there is something you can let go in May, do it.
- Provide flexibility and grace during stressful moments when teachers and students may feel overwhelmed. Give yourself flexibility and grace, too!
- Maintain clear and consistent communication so staff members feel informed and supported. Ask your staff about their needs in the last days/weeks and try to act on what you can.
- Prioritize self-care and delegation to avoid burnout and remain an effective source of support for the school community.
Schools are fortunate to have administrators who remain deeply committed to students while also championing and supporting teachers. Strong school leaders understand that thriving schools are built through relationships, trust, and teamwork. They celebrate student achievement while recognizing the dedication of the educators who make that achievement possible. In a season filled with pressure and nonstop demands, administrators who lead with both strength and compassion make a lasting impact on their entire school community.
Submitted by: JR
Role: Former Teacher & Principal
JR is a former 5th grade teacher, middle school assistant principal, and elementary principal in Tennessee. She is passionate about seeing educators across Tennessee thrive and wants them to remember their work makes an impact far beyond what they may ever realize. She has also embraced her greatest gift -her son- and has stepped away from her formal role in education for a season to focus on raising him.