Understanding Your Role as a Support Staff in a School Environment: Key Takeaways from TOSSE
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at TOSSE (The Total School Support Seminar Exhibition) – Nigeria's premier education event. My topic focused on comprehending the pivotal role support staff play within the educational setting. Here's a distilled essence of what I covered, along with some must-knows for anyone in an institutional context:
Highlights from the Session:
The Significance of Role Clarity: Every individual within a school, irrespective of their hierarchical position, must recognise and understand their role. This clarity ensures a smooth and efficient functioning of the institution.
Definition of Support Staff: It's crucial to note that anyone who doesn't teach in a classroom – be it someone in top management or a junior staff member – qualifies as support staff. Their roles, though behind the scenes, are pivotal to the school's success.
Need for Clearly Defined Job Descriptions: Leadership should actively define roles and provide explicit job descriptions for all positions. This not only clarifies responsibilities but also sets expectations.
Importance of Training: Role-specific training is indispensable. It equips staff members with the necessary skills and knowledge to execute their tasks optimally.
Establishing Performance Parameters: Clear benchmarks and performance indicators should be set for each school position, ensuring accountability and standardization.
Promoting Teamwork: Schools should actively discourage siloed work. Instead, fostering a sense of teamwork ensures a cohesive, collaborative, and harmonious work environment.
Watch the Session:
For those keen on diving deeper into the topic, the video recording of the event is accessible here. I invite you to watch, reflect, and share your insights. While you're at it, do remember to subscribe to our channel to stay updated on future sessions and discussions.
Thank you for joining me on this journey to make our educational institutions more efficient, understanding, and collaborative. Looking forward to your thoughts!
At this point, I'll ask that you get a copy of the book The School Administrator's Companion which is available in ebook format and Amazon Kindle.
