Building Trust and MTSS Buy-In Through Teacher Feedback

I’ll never forget the day my principal walked into my classroom—not for an observation, not for a meeting, but because he actually cared enough to check in. He noticed a tense exchange between me and a colleague and wanted to know how I was handling the whirlwind of changes that year. But here’s the part that stuck with me: he didn’t just listen—he took action. Because of that conversation, our team meetings became more purposeful, our collaboration more effective, and for the first time in a long time, I felt truly seen as an educator.

Effective leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about building trust and collaboration. One of the most powerful ways to do that? Truly listening to teachers. Teacher feedback is essential, especially when shaping a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). As middle school principal Melissa Harvey shared on the Schoolin’ Around Podcast, “They love that I listen to them, that I hear them. And it takes a lot because it’s a whole day or two of active listening.” But that effort pays off—when leaders prioritize teacher voices, they foster buy-in, strengthen systems, and create meaningful change.

Why Teacher Feedback Matters

Teachers are the ones living the reality of classroom life every day. They see firsthand how policies play out, what helps students thrive, and what falls flat. Their feedback isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Here’s why:

• It shows respect for teacher expertise. When leaders actively seek input, it shows teachers that their perspectives matter and that their concerns are taken seriously.
• It helps build systems that are good in practice, not just in theory. Teachers bring MTSS to life, day in and day out. Their insights ensure that interventions are practical, effective, and student-centered.
• It builds buy-in. People support what they help create. When teachers have a seat at the table, they are invested in sustaining MTSS practice.
  

Listening to teachers transforms systems from something done to them into something built with them. 

"I believe that being an effective, inspiring leader for my teachers means staying in touch with what it's like for them to work in our building and striving to make our school a place they’ll never want to leave."
- Melissa Harvey, Principal, Royse City ISD, TX

Practical Strategies for Gathering Teacher Feedback

Leaders need intentional, scheduled systems for engaging their staff. Consider the following approaches:

📝 Stay Interviews

Stay interviews are one-on-one conversations where leaders ask high-performing staff why they choose to stay in their roles. These meetings can yield helpful insights about what’s working and identify areas to improve to retain great teachers.

→ Use our Stay Interview Questions

✅ 30, 60, and 90-Day Check-Ins

Consistent check-ins with new staff can address challenges before they grow and foster a sense of belonging. Research shows structured check-ins early on can improve staff retention and their overall experience.

💬 Dedicated Feedback Days

Set aside days solely dedicated to gathering teacher feedback. Whether one-on-one or group sessions, offering undivided attention builds trust and results in actionable insights.

🫶 Active Listening

During feedback sessions, focus on active listening instead of planning your response. Show you’ve heard them through follow-up actions and transparency.

Building Trust with Educators Requires Transparency and Action

Gathering feedback is just the start—what really builds trust is showing teachers that their voices lead to real change. When leaders openly share how teacher input shapes decisions, it creates buy-in. As education leader Melissa Harvey puts it, “You’re measured by how you respond in a leadership position.” Nothing breaks trust faster than feedback that vanishes into a black hole.

Even small steps show commitment, and without action, my conversation with my principal would have been just that—a conversation, not a turning point.

Enhancing MTSS with Teacher Feedback

MTSS is built on problem-solving, and no one understands the challenges—and solutions—better than teachers. Their input is essential for identifying which interventions truly support students and which need refinement.

Continuous feedback loops help uncover and address obstacles before they derail progress. When leaders prioritize teacher voices in MTSS, problem-solving becomes more effective, implementation becomes stronger, and student outcomes improve. Most importantly, teachers move from simply following a system to actively shaping it, ensuring MTSS works in the real world, not just on paper.

💡 Resource: The Administrator’s Guide to Supporting Teachers with MTSS Implementation.

Build a Culture of Listening and Learning

That conversation with my principal wasn’t a one-time thing—and real listening never is. Building a culture of feedback isn’t a box to check; it’s an ongoing commitment. Leaders who regularly seek honest input from their teachers don’t just build trust; they create true shared ownership of systems like MTSS.

⭐️ Whether refining interventions, streamlining workflows, or simply making teachers feel heard, a feedback loop turns leadership into a partnership. When trust, clarity, and collaboration align, schools become stronger for everyone—teachers, leaders, and, most importantly, students.