Classroom Walkthrough Tips for School Leaders
A guide to making quick, 5-10 minute classroom walkthroughs count.
5-10 min
Ideas to Build Trust Through Transparent Leadership
Ways to share feedback updates with staff, build trust, and strengthen school culture without adding to your plate.
Alissa Christensen
When staff share feedback, they want to know it landed. These four simple strategies help principals close the feedback loop, keep staff informed, and build a school culture where people feel heard and valued.
Why try it
Closing the feedback loop is one of the clearest signals that staff voice matters. When leaders share what they heard, what changed, and what is still in progress, it builds the kind of trust that keeps communication open over time. Staff are more likely to share honest feedback when they have seen it lead to real action.
Instructions
1
Pick an approach that fits your team
Choose one of the four variations below based on your school's communication style, the size of your staff, or what you have time for this month.
2
Share what you heard and what you did
Communicate back to staff using your chosen format. Be specific: name the feedback, share what changed (or why it did not), and thank staff for participating. A short, honest update goes further than a polished one.
3
Keep it going
Check in again next month with a fresh update. Over time, consistent follow-through becomes part of how your school operates.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Monthly feedback recap email
Send a short, structured email using three sections: What We Heard, What We're Doing, and What's Next. Keep it to one screen length and use bullet points for clarity. Draft the first one right after you make a change, even a small one.
Staff meeting slide
Add one slide to your regular staff meeting deck titled "In Response to Your Feedback." Summarize two or three feedback themes and the actions tied to each. Pair it with a thank-you for staff participation. For a more interactive version, add a Mentimeter poll or sticky note activity so staff can weigh in on next steps live.
Open door days
Set aside dedicated times when staff can drop by to discuss feedback themes or brainstorm solutions with you. Announce the time in advance and make it low-key. For a more casual feel, try "Coffee with the Principal" mornings.
Action highlight newsletters
Feature one implemented idea in your regular staff newsletter. Name the feedback that inspired it, share what changed, and give a shout-out to the staff voice behind it. Rotate between feedback-driven changes and student-centered wins, and add a photo or quote when you can.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Be specific
Vague updates ("we heard your concerns and are working on it") do less than concrete ones ("you asked for more planning time, so we added a protected block each month"). Name the feedback and name the action.
Leader Tip #2
Include what you could not do
Some things are outside your control, and that is okay. Naming what is not possible, and why, shows staff you are being straight with them.
Leader Tip #3
Pair updates with gratitude
When you share what you did with staff feedback, name that it came from them. A quick "this came from what you told us" goes a long way.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
Alpaca Pulse Check-In
Turn insights into action
With just three simple questions, Alpaca's Pulse Check-In helps school leaders listen to their teams and act where support is needed most.
Loading...
Similar resources
