Supporting Special Education Teachers Through Transformational Leadership

The success of special education programs depends not only on resources and compliance, but on the daily leadership and support principals provide to their teachers.

At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, more than 20 percent of public schools reported being understaffed in special education. Special education teachers often leave the profession due to heavy workloads, stress, and a lack of support. Many also feel misunderstood or isolated from their peers and school leaders.

Principal’s Role

While principals may not have direct experience in special education, most have studied transformational leadership. Principals are frontline leaders in providing daily support to special education teachers, and their actions directly affect teacher morale and retention.

A recent Education Week article highlights how principals can apply transformational leadership to motivate, empower, and recognize teachers through intentional practices that strengthen satisfaction and retention. The article references Natasha Veale’s book How to Retain Special Education Teachers: A Transformational Leadership Guide for School Administrators, which presents a framework for principals to better support special educators.

Veale’s Transformational Leadership Framework

Following are four tips from Veale’s Transformational Special Education Leadership framework:

• Put special education teachers on the MAP. Motivate special education teachers, articulate a shared vision, and promote a good culture.
• BUMP special education teachers up on the priority list. Build strong relationships, understand special education beyond compliance, model best practices, and promote ethical behavior.
• SEE special educators. Provide specific supervision and evaluation, encourage problem-solving, and encourage innovative solutions.
• Give special education teachers their ROSE: Recognize cultural differences, offer personalized feedback, share decision-making, and empower teachers.

Why it Matters

Recruitment alone cannot solve special education shortages. Districts must focus on retention by ensuring teachers feel supported, respected, and included in the larger mission. Prioritizing both emotional and practical support reduces turnover while improving outcomes for students with disabilities.

For more information on the topic, check out the Education Week article 4 Ways Principals Can Better Support Special Education Teachers.