Building Morale in Rural Staff.

"Morale has never been this bad in our school!"

Every spring, this observation is repeated many times over by teachers across the country. Although it may validly reflect the situation in a particular school, it most often reflects tired teachers who need to rejuvenate themselves. The daily pressures of needy students and declining budgets can create a malaise that adversely affects teacher and student performance.

The prevailing concept of equal entitlement for all teachers via salary schedules doesn't help, either. Good teachers find themselves locked into a system that provides no financial incentive for excellence.

Rural schools have even greater challenges. Many rural teachers work year-in and year-out in the same building and the same classroom with little variety or change. Salaries and benefits are usually lower and opportunities for any kind of advancement are commensurately diminished.

Positions common to urban districts, such as department heads and curriculum and project coordinators, do not exist in rural systems.

However, rural districts can recognize and promote excellence in teaching and still stay within the bounds of fiscal prudence. The morale and performance of rural teachers likely will increase in direct correlation to a validation of their efforts toward excellence.

Rural school superintendents and principals may consider developing and applying the following strategies:

* Use teachers as in-service presenters.

We know that students learn by teaching. Teachers also can learn from making presentations to their peers. They will hone presentation skills and get a chance to demonstrate their knowledge in a meaningful way. A creative administrator will even assign teachers to expand their horizons by digging into a subject to present a 15-minute summary of research or practice in a certain area.

Although the most meaningful rewards to this activity may be intrinsic, an honorarium will bring a smile to any employee.

* Promote teachers as consultants.

Most teachers have difficulty imagining themselves as paid consultants. It has been exhilarating to watch teachers grow as I have facilitated opportunities for them to present their areas of expertise to neighboring districts--in a paid capacity.

Superintendents and principals informally can agree to some sort of reciprocal arrangement with other districts. Administrators also can be alert to the needs of other schools and then recommend a strong faculty member who can help in that area.

* Encourage teachers to write and publish.

Seeing their words in print is a highlight of many teachers' careers. School leaders can encourage teachers by providing an in-service activity on how to get started and how to market their articles.

* Develop a teacher recognition program.

A teacher-of-the-month program doesn't have to be competitive. Names can be drawn from a hat and profiles of those selected can be showcased on bulletin boards and in newspapers. Another tactic is to invite the teacher-of-the-month to a lunch with one or more board members.

* Encourage grant writing.

Grant writing can obtain needed funds for that special project a teacher may want to undertake. A wise administrator will give assistance and recognition when any grants are written and received by teachers.

* Facilitate incentive projects.

I recently heard of a district that annually puts a sum of money into a pot to be distributed to teachers who want to go the "extra mile" on a particular project. The money is used as extra compensation. Expenses also can be built into the request.

* Write as many award recommendations as possible.

Even if they are not selected, teachers will appreciate a copy of the nomination letter and the time and thoughtfulness expended in writing it. A copy of the recommendation also can be placed in the teacher's personnel file.

Perhaps the most telling part of these strategies is the self-fufilling prophecy that occurs. As teachers believe in themselves and their role in the profession, they quite naturally align themselves with winning attitudes.