There are some in education that trust teachers. They ask, "What do you need to do the job well." and "How can I help." Those leaders are very interested in student learning and know that teachers care about doing their best work, and that teachers are the ones that know themselves well when it comes to their needs and practice.
There are others in education that say, "This is what you need." and "This is what I'm going to do to help you." There's little to no room for teacher voice with those leaders, and usually the focus with those leaders is more about what they are and can do, than what students or teachers really need.
It's the same with teachers and students. Teachers who trust students look for ways to help those students grow and develop, and conversation is a big part of the process. Those teachers ask students, "How can I help you." and "What do you need?" There are also teachers that don't make time for the conversation and say to students "I know what you need." and "You have to do this."
Teachers and leaders are all probably somewhere on the trust continuum--I hope to be in the place that moves me closer and closer to trust as that trust builds relationships and relationships build growth and growth truly impacts student learning in ways that matter.
