Horizons’ Teacher Council: Empowering Collaboration and Enhancing Early Childhood Education
At Horizons for Homeless Children’s Early Education Center, the Teacher Council stands as a testament to our commitment to empowering educators and enhancing the quality of early childhood education. Created as a dynamic platform for collaboration, the council bridges the gap between teachers and leadership, including our CEO and executive staff, by delving into the daily challenges educators face and working together to find effective solutions.
The Teacher Council, comprised of 8-10 teachers from various age groups (infant through preschool), rotates every year to ensure diverse perspectives are consistently represented. This rotation fosters a rich exchange of ideas and allows more educators to contribute to shaping Horizons’ educational practices. Roughly 70% of Horizons staff are teachers, so understanding their perspectives and needs is important to the success of the organization.
Feedback from Teachers Improve Operations
One of the council’s key accomplishments has been addressing logistical issues that impact classroom efficiency. For instance, the introduction of lunch support staff has alleviated the burden on teachers, ensuring their classrooms are adequately covered during lunch and break times. Similarly, the council’s feedback led to hiring new cleaning services, addressing the critical concern of maintaining classroom cleanliness, safety, and a positive teaching environment.
The council also plays a crucial role in addressing staff needs and preventing burnout, especially important for teachers working with children experiencing trauma. For example, discussion that explored the reasons for an increase in teacher absences led to the implementation of additional breaks. This adjustment, supported by the addition of lunch staff to support classroom teachers has enabled teachers to support each other better and maintain their well-being throughout the busy school day.
Another significant improvement came from the council’s input on how to best transition students from one classroom to another as they age-up. Just in the last year, 47 children transitioned out to kindergarten, with over 90 internal transitions happening between classrooms while welcoming 64 new children from Horizons’ waitlist. By working with the admissions team, the council recommended some adjustments that helped manage the process more effectively than ever before, ensuring a smoother transition for both teachers and children.
Kate Barrand, Chief Executive Officer, and Laura DiMaria, Senior Director of Human Resources, lead the council with a collaborative and open approach. Jayd Rodrigues, Executive Director of Early Education, also collaborates periodically, bringing her curious, positive outlook and hands-on involvement in brainstorming solutions. Laura’s focus on transparency and inclusivity strengthens the organizational culture while Kate’s leadership keeps the council on course. Together, they ensure that the council not only addresses immediate concerns but also contributes to long-term improvements.
"The Teacher Council embodies the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity that are embedded in our values and daily life at Horizons. Their feedback is invaluable in shaping our policies and practices, ultimately creating a supportive and empowering environment for our entire team."
Empowering Early Educators by Giving them a Voice
By fostering a sense of ownership and involvement, the Teacher Council provides educators with an environment to be their best selves in the classroom. This empowerment is crucial, especially given the unique challenges in fostering a nurturing space for children experiencing homelessness. The council’s efforts not only enhance teaching conditions but also ensure that every child receives the consistency and care they need to thrive.
The Teacher Council’s buy-in and input on executive decisions also provides them with the confidence to champion new processes in their classrooms, build their own leadership skills, and further disseminate information on changes and improvements with their fellow teachers.
“Being a part of the Teacher Council has provided me a platform to share my experiences and ideas. Knowing that the decisions we discuss have a direct impact on the well-being of my students and my colleagues is important,” shared one of Horizons’ teachers and active council members, Nadia. “It’s not just about improving the classroom; it’s about creating a community of support where we all thrive.”
"Being a part of the Teacher Council has provided me a platform to share my experiences and ideas. Knowing that the decisions we discuss have a direct impact on the well-being of my students and my colleagues is important. It's not just about improving the classroom; it's about creating a community of support where we all thrive."
Horizons’ Teacher Council exemplifies the partnership between educators and leadership, driving continuous improvement and creating a supportive environment where both teachers and students can flourish.
This was written by Andrea Drag, a regular contributor to Horizons’ blog.
