Supportive Leadership, Teacher Wellness, and School Promotion

Abstract

Effective school leadership contributes to school success by improving student learning and reducing teacher turnover. Prior research has documented that supportive leadership can help retain effective teachers and improve teacher efficacy, thereby reducing the financial and human costs associated with teacher turnover. Within the private Christian school sector, we examined the relationship between supportive leadership, teacher well-being, and teacher willingness to promote the school. Our findings show a significant, robust, meaningful relationship between teachers’ perception of their leaders as supportive, higher levels of teacher well-being, and greater willingness to promote their schools to both prospective families and teachers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matthew H. Lee

Matthew H. Lee is Clinical Assistant Professor of Economics at Kennesaw State University. He previously served as Director of Research at ACSI. He holds a Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Arkansas.

Lynn E. Swaner

Lynn E. Swaner is President of Cardus, U.S. She previously served as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at ACSI. She holds a doctorate in organization and leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.