At the close of each school year, South Carolina’s Department of Education
requires public school teachers to complete a written survey on leadership, learning
environment, physical environment, and school and home relations. Responses are
compiled by the school principal and e-mailed to teachers over the summer. In the
survey from 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, teachers reported low morale and said that
morale needed to improve. This low morale was reflected in informal conversations I had
had colleagues that revealed frustration stemming from their perceived lack of voice in
decision-making.