The University of Illinois Extension is looking to make a positive impact in the world of education.  As part of their new “teacher advocate program,” Extension staff work with administrators and show them how to better support teachers.  The goal is to address common issues teachers face, especially those which have contributed to an ongoing teacher shortage across the country.  They look to show administrators how to move from control to advocacy when overseeing teachers and their work. 

Valerie Belusko is the Community and Economic Development Educator with the University of Illinois Extension.  She hosted a program on Wednesday with several Taylorville school administrators, including two new principals.  

Belusko notes she has seen a tendency from some administrators to micromanage their teachers.  While she acknowledges it’s out of love for the job, it can undermine the working relationships between administrators and teachers. 

Belusko sees this collaborative effort with administrators as an important investment in retaining skilled teachers.  The right support can prevent teachers from experiencing burnout, which is increasingly common. 

Some other ways administrators can support their teachers include getting to know them in a more profound way and celebrating their wins in the classroom.

More information on the teacher advocate program is available by contacting Valerie Belusko at (217) 532-3941.

Valerie Belusko appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Image by Kohji Asakawa from Pixabay