How Teachers Can Best Support Their Administrators
May 01, 2026
In Honor of the Great Administrators Who Have Molded My Career
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” Those were the famous words of President John F. Kennedy on Jan. 20, 1961.
They were remarkable because they called on citizens to consider their role in making their country the greatest in the world, rather than promises of how a better future could be provided.
What can we learn from them? How can they be applied to our chosen profession? It is my belief and experience that EVERY teacher began their career asking what they can do to better society. Many quickly find out that the teachers who shaped us made it look much easier than it was. Lack of resources, lack of confidence, lack of training, lack of support, lack … well, just a general “lack of… .” You insert the need.
Strong schools are built on strong teams, and while much focus is often placed on how administrators can support teachers, the reverse is just as important. Teachers play a vital role in helping school leaders succeed, and when we work together, everyone benefits, especially our students.
One of the best ways teachers can support administrators is through clear, respectful communication. School leaders are juggling multiple responsibilities daily, from managing staff to handling parent concerns to ensuring compliance with district policies.
When we communicate proactively, whether it’s about student needs, curriculum questions, or classroom challenges, we help keep things running smoothly and prevent small issues from becoming big ones. Remaining solution-oriented is our best investment in creating positive changes in our own working environments. Collaboration is key. That doesn’t mean ignoring valid concerns; it means modeling the same teamwork, respect and growth mindset we expect from students.
At the end of the day, schools function best when teachers and administrators view each other as partners, not opponents. Working with our leaders isn’t just about being cooperative; it’s about strengthening the entire school community. When we lift each other up, we’re all better equipped to serve our students and make our schools places of purpose, growth and success.
We must consider our role in the educational system. Our administrators don’t exist solely to support teachers. Their roles are complex and ever-changing. We must, in turn, find ways to support them.
If we can borrow from President Kennedy, what might his quote look like in the sense of education? It should look something like this: “My fellow teachers: Ask not what your principal will do for you, but what together we can do for the betterment of our learning community.”
Happy Principals Day on May 1 to all the great administrators out there!
2025-26 Michigan Teacher of the Year Corey Rosser is a social studies teacher at Quest High School in North Branch Area Schools in his 22nd year of teaching.