Progress Over Perfection: 8 Ways School Administrators Can Build Better Support Systems for Music Educators

Music teachers and school administrators—we’re all on the same team. But let’s be real: we’re not always aligned. Especially when it comes to the support music teachers actually need to thrive.

In many schools, music educators are flying solo. They're often the only ones in their discipline, teaching hundreds of students each week, juggling performances, replying to parent emails, repairing instruments, and building a culture of inclusion and creativity—all at the same time.

That’s no small feat.

And yet, despite the growing demands, many music teachers report not getting the support necessary to do this work well. After years of working with music educators, arts organizations, and school districts, one message continues to ring loud and clear:

Support for music teachers is not optional—it’s essential.

Without it, the profession becomes unsustainable. And when that happens, teachers leave.

While many school leaders do value the arts, the most impactful support comes through intentional and consistent action. Whether you're a seasoned administrator or just beginning to champion your arts program, here are eight ways to meaningfully support your music teachers, starting with common best practices and moving toward some powerful, underutilized strategies.

1. Protect Planning and Instructional Time

Music thrives on continuity. When students are pulled from music for testing, interventions, or last-minute assemblies, learning gets disrupted—and it sends the message that the arts are “extra.”

Music is not extra. It’s essential.

Of course, scheduling is complex. But honoring music time can unlock creative solutions school-wide.

Try this: Make music schedules sacred. If adjustments are absolutely necessary, notify teachers in advance and consider compensatory time to honor what was lost.

2. Celebrate Music’s Role in School Culture

Make your music program visible to everyone—families, school boards, teachers, and students. Highlight classroom music-making, concerts, and student creativity in newsletters, announcements, and social media.

Even better—be present. Pop into music classes. Share what you see. Invite student performers to faculty meetings, family nights, or board events.

3. Provide Relevant Professional Development

Let’s face it: good PD is already hard to come by—and for music teachers, relevant PD can feel impossible. Support them in accessing professional learning that actually speaks to their content and context.

Try this:

  • Send music teachers to state and national conferences.

  • Bring in music education specialists for in-house PD—and make it ongoing.

  • Provide funding or scholarships for graduate coursework or workshops tied to their work.

4. Empower Music Teachers as Leaders

Music educators bring a lot of lived experience to the table. When they’re empowered to lead and facilitate peer learning, everyone benefits.

Bonus: They already know your school, your students, and your culture. That insider perspective makes their leadership extra valuable.

5. Set Realistic Timelines for Growth

All too often, music teachers are expected to show big instructional gains within a short window—often without the resources or support to get there. It’s not only unfair; it’s unsustainable.

Real growth takes time and consistency. As as example: I’ve worked with the same small group of music teachers for a few years now. Through ongoing coaching, collaboration, and support, they’ve built new habits, solved complex problems, and—almost as important—stayed in the profession. That’s a win for everyone.

Try this: Pair music teachers with mentors and instructional coaches—ideally with those who have music teaching experience. Coaching and mentoring play different (but complementary) roles and are most effective when used together.

6. Support Artist Residencies and Community Partnerships

Bring the world into the classroom. Invite local musicians, composers, or cultural ensembles to work with students. This is especially powerful when teachers and students come from different cultural backgrounds.

These partnerships can make music curriculum more relevant and exciting for students.

Try this: Help music teachers connect with local arts councils, colleges, or grant programs to bring in outside talent.

7. Include the Arts in School Success Metrics

When school success is only measured by test scores, the arts can feel invisible. But when you highlight student engagement, concert attendance, or participation in electives, you send a powerful message:

Developing young musicians matters.

Try this: Set goals to increase music enrollment. Add non-performance music classes. Celebrate these milestones with your entire school community.

8. Encourage Safe, Creative Risk-Taking

Music teachers are often bubbling with innovative ideas—student-led performances, digital music projects, collaborative compositions—but many are afraid to try them for fear of judgment.

Be the administrator who says yes.

Years ago, I asked my principal to let me switch from a formal concert to a more casual "informance" that showcased student learning, not just polished performance. Although she admitted that she didn’t fully understand it, she trusted me. Once she saw the result, she was all in. We kept it going every year after that.

Try this: When a music teacher suggests something new, lead with curiosity and support—even if it’s outside the norm.

A Progress Over Perfection Approach to Music Teacher Support

Just as we encourage students to grow through process over product, we can do the same for our support systems. You don’t need to tackle all eight strategies tomorrow.

Start with one. Do it consistently. And build from there.

When we support music teachers intentionally and consistently, we help keep great educators in the profession—and that benefits everyone.

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