Whatever your SMT plan looks like, teachers should be at the center of it. Since they work directly with students, their input and cooperation is indispensable. Involve them, therefore, throughout the planning process. Your program will only be as strong as the people who implement it with students, so teacher training and recruitment should never lose priority.

It is important for board members to support teachers without earning a reputation of telling them how to do their jobs. Trust them to do what they do best. Meanwhile, know the strengths and weaknesses of your teaching staff and align resources accordingly.