By Bradley Bird
At the heart of great schools is one simple but powerful truth: when teachers are engaged – truly engaged – the whole school ecosystem thrives. From stronger student outcomes to healthier culture and sustained innovation, the ripple effects of empowered educators can never be overstated. But this transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It takes an intentional approach.
This aligns closely with what I’ve experienced across my career: when teachers are invested in their craft and feel connected to their purpose and the school’s purpose, they show up differently. They engage in more initiatives, teach better, and most importantly, feel better about themselves and what they’re contributing. It creates a belonging that’s priceless.
A school’s greatest asset is not a policy or a plan. It’s a team of engaged professionals who bring their best version of themselves to the mission every day. When teachers feel seen, valued, and inspired, they don’t just teach – they lead, create, and collaborate with those around them.
When teaching becomes more than a job – when it resonates with both head and heart – educators begin to transform not just classrooms, but communities.
Engagement Begins on Day One
Engagement begins on day one. Welcoming new staff isn’t a checklist; it’s a ritual; it’s an introduction to culture. The work begins the moment someone accepts the position. Yes, we select educators because we know they’re strong teachers, but it’s how we help them settle into our culture and routines that makes the difference. That’s why relationships are the key. It’s not about fitting into a mould; it’s about discovering how their unique strengths and skills can contribute to our shared mission vision and values.
When teachers feel seen, supported and heard, it doesn’t feel like a chore to come to work. They tap into their passion. And when that happens, their energy, creativity, and drive ripples outward, like a pebble hitting the pond, shaping student outcomes, building culture, and elevating the whole community.
I am reminded of Captain and Poet. The Captain sets the course, bringing structure, focus, direction and purpose. The Poet walks the halls with open ears and an open heart, cultivating the purpose, connection, and belief. Together, these archetypes shape a culture where teachers aren’t just accountable, they thrive, they live their mission; that is powerful.
Leadership Without the Title
We’ve scrapped the word “administration” at our school. Everyone leads in some capacity whether it’s mentoring a student group or guiding a department. When we invest in people and invite them into opportunities that align with their strengths, they grow. And when people grow, schools transform, they become a place people want to be.
When I see a teacher shining in their element, I know we’re on the right path. My job is to create the conditions for that to happen consistently and meaningfully. To clear the path for others to have every opportunity to make life better for others.
At the end of the day, education isn’t just about instruction. It’s about connection. In a world that often prioritises the individual, schools are one of the few spaces where we still teach the power of us. We remind students, and ourselves, that our work is about purpose, service, and shared humanity. And we get there by engaging the whole teacher: the leader and the heart. Our greatest gift as educators is to create opportunities for others to shine, the ultimate service.
More than ever, the next generation of educators wants to lead, and they want to get there quickly. But leadership isn’t just a title. It’s a practice grounded in deep expertise, relational intelligence, and day-to-day presence. In our view, to lead in education you have to start from a position of strength in the classroom. That’s your proving ground, its where you do the hard yards.
Managing relationships, especially with students and parents, is critical. When you teach with purpose and clarity, students go home feeling successful and heard, and parents notice. That success builds trust. And with trust, teachers gain the capacity to contribute beyond their classroom: to research, development teams, and leadership roles that align with their passion. As their passion shines, they grow and that is where leadership is born.
We’ve learned through experience: hiring based solely on resumes or external leadership titles doesn’t always work. We want people who know our context and understand where we’re going – not just where they’ve come from. This is leadership the Captain earns through action, and the Poet sustains through connection and shared purpose.
Growing Our Own
We believe in future-proofing the profession, which is why we’ve invested in a robust coaching and development model. From our Lasallian Training Program that brings in alumni from careers in law, economics, science and mathematics to two-year teaching residencies, we’re developing teachers with depth – those who lead with inquiry, reflect deeply, and meet the demands of a changing classroom and world.
We also run shadowing programs, mini-teaching tracks, and invite top postgraduate students to experience our culture firsthand. These are part of what makes us a place where people want to work. We don’t just hire talent – we nurture it and we help it grow.
Coaching the Whole Educator
Our coaching model blends instructional rigor with personal support. Whether someone is transitioning from a different field like banking into teaching economics or is a seasoned practitioner, we help them build skill and self-awareness. The best teachers aren’t just masters of pedagogy; they’re grounded in who they are. That’s why we encourage teachers to bring their individuality into the classroom and share their experience because “Together we are better”.
Our frameworks and shared expectations ensure consistency, but we also want every educator to express their style and presence. It’s not just how you teach, but how you greet students, build connections, and create spaces where kids feel known and heard. That’s where teaching becomes a craft, not just a curriculum, it’s a vocation not a job.
The well-being of our staff is as important as that of our students – because if teachers aren’t thriving, their energy (or lack of it) shows up in every lesson. We’ve expanded our counseling team, and are continually working on frameworks for motivation, mental health, and sustaining purpose in a demanding profession.
This focus was sharpened after COVID, but it’s not new. The idea that educators are also human beings, juggling families and real life, matters. The ones who are thriving naturally lift others. We want to continually empower that spirit where the Captain organizes and motivates and empowers, and the Poet tunes into the group dynamic, co-creating solutions that serve everyone.
Educators are no longer just the holders of knowledge, they are so much more. They are mentors, role-models, critical friends and relationship builders who really are both Captains and Poets building a better world for the youth of tomorrow.
Engagement is everything.
Bradley Bird is the Principal at St. Joseph’s Institution International, Singapore.