‘Teachers’ job happiness is the basis for learning outcomes'

Priscilla Mahadew is in constant dialogue with her staff. ‘Happy teachers deliver better performance, which directly benefits students,’ she explains. To keep a close eye on her team's job happiness, Mahadew has an independent employee satisfaction survey conducted by DUO-Onderwijs every two years. ‘Measuring is knowing,’ she explains. ‘With an independent survey, you make sure everyone feels free to share their opinions and views.’

All schools of Stichting Ambitieus Rotterdams Onderwijs (SARO), under which MEX010 falls, participated in the study. ‘From the board it was clearly stated what the intention was, when the first results would be there and what the board expected from the actions that would result from it,’ Mahadew explains. ‘We are used to feedback all results. We also use the insights during conversations, a study day or team meetings to improve ourselves and the organisation. We use the results as a common thread in our work. This keeps improvement on the agenda continuously.’

The board invited DUO-Onderwijs for a verbal explanation of the survey results. ‘It is very nice to get feedback from the organisation that developed the measurement instrument on what the results mean,’ says team leader Kevin Ferreira da Silva. ‘That external view helps to better interpret own results and put them in perspective. DUO-Onderwijs's broad benchmark is of great value here. It not only allows you to see how you are doing compared to previous years, but also in comparison with similar schools.’

The survey results were very positive: employees feel engaged with the team and the site and are proud to work at MEX010. On the theme of communication, the school even scored an 8.1 while the benchmark is 6.3. A cooperation also received high marks, an 8.7 against a benchmark of 7.2. According to Mahadew, these scores are no coincidence. ‘We start at the front door. In application processes, we choose people who fit our school vision and the resulting core values. We also make a conscious effort to develop employees. We are a learning organisation in which everyone can develop, regardless of your teaching experience.’

The positive outcomes are also the result of previous steps taken. DUO-Onderwijs's previous research showed that external art teachers, who were under a different collective agreement, were undermining the interconnection. ‘Following those results, we hired permanent art teachers. In the latest research, there were fewer islands and a stronger common culture experienced,’ Mahadew observes. It shows how systematic research and targeted action lead to measurable results.

For the future, Mahadew continues to believe in the power of professional measurement, even with good results. In two years‘ time, she expects the organisation to have grown. ’We are now analysing which factors contribute to high employee satisfaction. The challenge is to secure what is going well now.' An ambition that Mahadew will have independent researchers validate again in two years' time.

Priscilla Mahadew is school leader at MEX010, a cultural profile school for vmbo-tl, mavo and havo that is part of the Ambition Rotterdam Education Foundation (SARO). Kevin Ferreira da Silva leads MEX010's teaching team.