One-on-Ones and Check-Ins

One-on-Ones and Check-Ins: Staff Check In Resources for School Leaders

Individual check-ins let school leaders support staff as people first. Find simple ways to make every one-on-one meaningful and rooted in genuine staff feedback.

Printable sheet of On a Tough Day note cards beside two completed When Things Feel Tough cards for a staff wellbeing activity
Printable sheet of On a Tough Day note cards beside two completed When Things Feel Tough cards for a staff wellbeing activity

Here for You Notes: A 3-Step Staff Wellbeing Activity

A staff wellbeing activity for a hard day
5-10 minutes
Two women sit on a bench in front of a window and wall with children's drawings on it. They are smiling at each other and have notebooks in the laps.

A Guide to Stay Interviews

Keep great teachers by having the right conversations.
10–15 min
Two women sit across from each other at a table. Papers, laptops and notebooks lay on the table.

Coaching Through Questions: A Practical Guide for School Leaders

A simple coaching tool that helps school leaders ask better questions.
2 min
Two women sit in chairs facing one another. One woman sits facing the other with a clipboard and pen in her hand. Other woman is smiling.

Coaching Conversations That Count

A process to guide teacher or principal coaching conversations that celebrate and support.
10 min
An orange notebook with two notecards on it, three small notecards, blue pens, and blue tape dispenser lay on a pink background.

5-Minute Professional Development Ideas for Teachers

Five simple, low-prep ideas for supporting staff growth and building confidence throughout the year.
5 min
A notecard with a written note, scissor, and paper clips lay on a green background.

9 Ways to Welcome New Teachers and Staff to Your School

Pick the ideas that fit your team and your style.
Ongoing
Two women sit at a table looking at each other and smiling. Pens, paper and coffee cups are on the table. There is a shelf with books and school supplies in the background.

One-on-One Meeting Template for Principals

A simple way to connect, listen, and grow with your team.
15 min
Several sheets of paper a clipboard, tape dispenser, and pencil lay on a green bac

Teacher Check-In Tracker: Stay Connected With Every Staff Member

A simple staff and teacher wellbeing system for tracking check-ins.
1-2 min
A man and woman stand facing each other. Each holds a clipboard. They are talking and laughing.

Together We Thrive: Team-Building for New & Veteran Staff

Find activities that build trust, connection, and belonging all year long.
15 min (per session)
A hand writes on a postcard that says "welcome to the team."

Postcards to Welcome New Staff to Your Building

A low-prep onboarding activity that helps school leaders build connection from day one.
5 min
A man sits at a wood desk with pens, a coffee cup, and sheets of paper on it. He holds two pieces of paper in his hands.

SMART Goals for Teachers and Staff

A practical guide for leading goal-setting conversations that help staff grow, stay focused, and feel supported all year long.
20-30 min
A card that says "question bank", notecard and part of a clipboard lays on a light blue background.

Classroom Walkthrough Tips for School Leaders

A guide to making quick, 5-10 minute classroom walkthroughs count.
5-10 min
A man sits at a desk, smiling at a woman sitting across from him. Papers and a plant are on the desk.

A Quick Guide to Honest Conversations

One-on-one check-in questions that help school leaders open honest conversations.
15–30 min
A woman sits at a desk writing on a piece of paper. A man sits across from her. Notebooks, pens, and papers are on the desk between them.

Navigating Difficult Conversations

A practical guide to help school leaders handle staff conflict resolution.
Varies
Sheets of paper, notecards, pens, and a clipboard with a piece of paper on it lay on a green background.

10 Ways to Support and Retain New Teachers

10 practical leadership habits principals can use all year long.
Ongoing
Multiple sheets of paper, markers, confetti and tape lay on a table.

Teacher Celebration Styles Quiz

A staff appreciation activity that helps you learn how each teacher likes to be celebrated.
15-20 min
Several sheets of paper with large words on them lay on a pink background.

Purpose Paves the Way

A quick team building activity for teachers using a shared staff bulletin board.
5 min
A woman sits at a desk with an open laptop on it, writing on a piece of paper. A brick wall and whiteboard are in the background.

Two Stars and a Wish

A structured peer feedback format where staff share two specific strengths and one growth suggestion.
10-15 min
Papers are taped to a white wall with purple sticky notes stuck around them. A hand reaches in to place a note.

Sticky Note Stations

A simple way for teachers to share honest feedback and ideas anonymously.
Ongoing
A stack of books and a sheet of paper lay on a yellow table.

Staff Book Club

A staff book club gives your team a low-key way to explore new ideas, spark conversation, and grow together professionally.
20-30 min
A woman stands in a classroom in front of a large television screen pointing at it. A woman sits in front of her writing on a piece of paper on a clipboard.

Observation & Evaluation Jitters

A quick reflection activity with free printable cards for staff.
10-15 min
A woman sits at a wooden desk with a jar of markers and potted plant on it. She has a piece of paper and notecard in front of her and she is writing on them.

Growth Goal Quick Check

Turn a quick hallway chat into a moment for reflection and support.
3-5 min
One hand reaches in to hand a hand-written note to another hand.

Growth Goal Celebration Shoutouts

A teacher recognition idea for principals: turn quick growth check-ins into staff shoutouts.
5 min
A women sits in a classroom at a desk grading papers.

Grading Grind

A quick reflection activity with free printable cards to help staff reset and refocus.
10-15 min
Two women look down at a notecard with handwriting on it.

Goal Buddy Pair-Ups

A simple professional development idea that builds lasting peer support.
5-10 min
A man sits at a desk in a classroom. He is looking at blank notecards and making notes in a notebook.

Glow and Grow Cards

A quick peer feedback activity for staff meetings and PD days.
5-10 min
A woman stands in a hallway smiling while another woman hands her a small piece of paper.

Staff Meeting Exit Ticket

A quick slip for the end of a meeting or PD session to capture takeaways and questions.
2-3 min
A laptop, set of gray over-the-ear headphones and two sheets of paper lay on a wood table.

Staff Podcast Picks

A collaborative activity where staff share podcast episodes focused on personal and professional growth.
10-15 min
A woman sits reading notecards with hand-written notes on them.

If I Were Principal...

A quick staff feedback activity that gives every teacher a voice.
10-15 min
A man holding a clipboard stands in front of a woman seated at a desk in a classroom.

Quick Check-In, Real Connection

Ready-to-use one-on-one check-in questions for every moment of the school year.
5 min
A man sits at a desk with school supplies on it. He writes with a pencil on a piece of paper. Background is a wood wall with reels of paper.

Reflect & Refine

A set of ready-to-use reflection forms that help school leaders gather honest staff feedback throughout the year.
10-15 min
A woman sits at a desk writing on a piece of paper. A whiteboard and brick wall are in the background.

Own Your Oops

A low-pressure way to address the small missteps that happen in any school.
5-10 min
A man sits at a desk writing on a sheet of paper. An open laptop sits beside him.

Finding the Joy in the Everyday

An activity to notice bright moments, jot them down, then share and display them.
5-10 min
A hand writes with a green pen on a small postcard on a desk filled with office supplies, a cup of coffee, and small plant.

Postcard Goal Check

A goal setting activity that celebrates little wins and big plans.
5 min
A woman sits at a desk with a laptop and vase of flows on it in front of a brick wall. She writes on notecards.

First-Week Frenzy

A guide with practical tips for principals for the first week back.
10-15 min
A man walks down a school hallway, and two women wave to him.

Ideas to Build Trust Through Transparent Leadership

Ways to share feedback updates with staff, build trust, and strengthen school culture without adding to your plate.
Ongoing
A woman sits as a table completing a bingo card.

Professional Growth Bingo

An activity to encourage your staff to try new professional growth ideas.
Ongoing
A hand reaches across a messy desk to pace a notecard near a pencil holder.

5-Minute Personal Growth Ideas for School Leaders

Five quick, low-prep ideas principals can use to support professional growth.
5 minutes

Explore other collections

High School

198 resources

Coaching and Observations

35 resources

Purpose

51 resources

Conference Season

45 resources

Presence and Visibility

46 resources

Conflict Resolution

33 resources

Anytime

164 resources

First Week Back

25 resources

Little Wins Newsletter

Join 15,000+ school leaders finding their next little win.