Managing Up: Navigating the Challenges of New Leadership as an Experienced Teacher

It's an unforgettable memory: my first year teaching in a new state, walking into the school office one September morning to find the principal shuffling through papers, clearly overwhelmed by the mounting responsibilities. Schedules had changed three times that week, and directives seemed to shift with the wind. As an early-career teacher, I learned to adapt quickly, but as I gained experience across both private and public schools, I realized these moments were not isolated. Leadership transitions and growing pains are universal, and managing up became a hallmark of my professional journey.

Understanding Managing Up

Managing up isn’t about undermining authority; it’s about fostering supportive, two-way relationships to help the entire community thrive. Having taught in varied school systems across several states, I’ve worked with and learned from leaders at every stage of their growth journey. Each encounter- whether with a visionary administrator or one still finding their footing- has refined my perspective, informed my approach, and deepened my appreciation for emotional intelligence.

Strategies for Managing Up Effectively

• Build Trust Early: Make it a priority to understand the new administration’s values, communication patterns, and goals. Share your own experience empathetically, showing openness to new ideas while offering perspective from your background working across systems.

• Communicate Proactively: Rather than waiting for confusion to snowball, use gentle check-ins (“Would you like my take on this process?” or “Here’s what’s worked in the past in similar situations-could that help here?”).

• Frame Feedback Constructively: When something isn’t working, propose solutions rather than just highlighting problems. For example, “I noticed our schedule changes are creating confusion in the classroom; would it help if we developed a shared planning document?”

• Leverage Research-Based Approaches: Studies show that teachers who engage in open, reflective dialogue with administration are more likely to see improved school climate and clearer pathways for student achievement. Employing the principles of emotional intelligence- self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, empathy, and motivation- can make difficult conversations more productive.

Real-Life Examples and Anecdotes

In one public school, I observed an issue with inconsistent discipline protocols. Rather than point out flaws, I initiated a conversation using data and classroom anecdotes: “I’ve tracked st