Investing in Teacher Well-Being
There is no doubt, and it cannot be argued. Teachers do not have it easy, especially in this day and age. It’s an important profession and it’s becoming more and more difficult.
In the most recent episode of Clearly Christian, host Dr. Cy Smith, Superintendent of Mansfield Christian School welcomes Dr. John Walker, the superintendent of Central Christian School in Hutchinson, Kansas. Together, they discuss the importance of teacher well-being and leadership, and how Christian schools can be uniquely positioned to bring about meaningful cultural change.
Dr. Smith sets up the conversation by recalling a leadership principle from Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A. During a meeting about expanding the business, Cathy famously said, “If we get better, our customers will demand that we get bigger.”
This principle—prioritizing improvement over growth—has relevance for Christian education as well. Dr. Smith explains, “We have to focus on becoming better schools, which will naturally attract more students, rather than focusing on expansion for its own sake.”
Chalkboard Points
Every episode of the Clearly Christian Podcast features Chalkboard Points, so you can know what to expect along the way. We highlight those for you here:
Chalkboard Point #1: Great organizations are led by leaders who are not only great teachers but are also great learners.
They are teachable leaders, ever learning the ways of the Lord, learning from leaders who compliment their skills and gifts, and always learning how to make things better, before becoming bigger.
Chalkboard Point #2: Christian education has a purpose or end goal that is fixed for all time, in the truth of God’s Word.
Unlike government education, which must respond to political agendas, special interest groups, election cycles, and funding priorities, Christian education seeks first the will of God in terms of what to learn, how to learn it, and who should do the teaching.
The Vital Role of Teacher Well-Being
It is clear, agree Dr. Smith and D. Walker, that we need to invest in teacher well-being. He explains, “If you focus on faculty and staff well-being, that has a trickle-down effect on student well-being.”
Dr. Smith added, “If teachers are flourishing, students will flourish too. They will model what they see in their teachers.”
Dr. Walker has done extensive research on this topic, implementing a well-being program at Central Christian School focused on three domains: spirit, body, and mind. The program includes initiatives like “Man Mondays,” where male staff gather for fellowship and spiritual growth, and well-being bingo, where staff track physical health goals. The idea is to create a culture of flourishing among teachers, which ultimately benefits the entire school community.
Modeling Growth and Humility for Students
Dr. Walker believes that students model what they see, which is why teachers must be continuous learners themselves. “If we stop expanding our knowledge, are we hypocrites?” he asks. He emphasizes that learning should be an ongoing process for teachers, just as it is for students. Teachers who push themselves to grow create an environment where students are encouraged to do the same.
He points out, “There’s no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone.” Schools must embrace this discomfort in order to cultivate a culture of learning and growth.
We ask so much of our students, and rightfully so. But are we equipping the teachers, leading them in ways that can further their ability to teach and to teach well? The importance of leadership that prioritizes continuous improvement, teacher well-being, and modeling growth for students cannot be understated.
Christian schools are not just academic institutions—they are places where students and staff alike are formed to be more like Christ, impacting the world around them.
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