Be Hard on the Systems and Gentle with the People

How a Systems Approach to School Improvement Can Reduce Educator Burnout, Enhance Teacher Retention, and Lead to More Equitable Outcomes for All Students

Introductory note: This is an exclusive article for paid subscribers. I just submitted it to Educational Leadership for consideration. It’s a summary of my learning over the last two years as a systems coach. Let me know what comes up for you after reading it. -Matt

I could predict the hour when I would receive the call. Cameron consistently demonstrated destructive behaviors during writing time—nudging a pencil off his desk, tearing down anchor charts. His teacher was frustrated. As the school principal, so was I.

After countless classroom removals, I suggested he not write until we figured out what was happening. "Not write?" the teacher asked, one eyebrow arched. "It's temporary,” I responded. “We can't have him destroying your room every day."

Systems vs. People

In these types of situations, it is easy to place the burden of responsibility on the student, the student’s family, or the teacher. As I walked back from the classroom to my office, my mind rattled with complaints. Why won’t …