The Role of a School Supervisor: School Supervisor Best Practices for School Growth. 

Introduction: Why a School Supervisor Should Never Be a Conformer

A school supervisor is a key player in maintaining and improving the quality of education in any institution. However, one common mistake supervisors make is becoming too comfortable with the school system. A true school supervisor should never conform to a system that is not producing excellence. Instead, they must constantly evaluate, challenge, and innovate for the sake of school effectiveness.

Many supervisors unknowingly act as mere administrators rather than educational consultants who drive real change. This article will explore what it truly means to be an effective school supervisor, why conforming is dangerous, and how supervisors can transform their roles into that of an internal consultant who actively enhances school operations.

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A school supervisor should not be a conformer… a school supervisor must never get used to school system

He or she must gain external perspective always for the effectiveness sake of

A school supervisor must not be a people pleaser, you can’t afford to always make people happy (you are not selling ice cream)

A school supervisor must come with clean hands because he or she is at ding for justice and equity

A school supervisor must not be a yes person to staff, school owners and school leaders

A school supervisor must say yes to school health always

A school supervisor must be able to prove the systems and processes of the school for proper scrutiny

I was in a school for audit and I saw that the supervisor was defending the staff while addressing the shortcomings

I stopped and I told him he is obstructing my job… and obviously affecting the growth of the school.

To his surprise, I turned away from the teacher in the class and I faced him by saying “there is no need for what I am doing right now if you did your job well”

A school starts record massive success when the supervisors in preschool, primary and secondary schools act like internal consultants

From Chaos to Credibility — How One Supervisor Turned Around a Failing School in Benin City

In 2021, Hopefield Academy, a once-promising private school in Benin City, Edo State, was on the brink of collapse. Parental trust was at an all-time low. Pupils were underperforming, teacher turnover was rampant, and lesson delivery lacked structure. The school owner, out of desperation, brought in a new supervisor — Mrs. Obaseki, a former teacher turned educational consultant.

Upon her arrival, Mrs. Obaseki conducted a brutal internal audit. She discovered outdated schemes of work, unchecked absenteeism among staff, and complete absence of performance tracking. Instead of playing politics, she stepped in as a true internal consultant.

She initiated three swift reforms:

1. Teaching Practice Overhaul: Every teacher was observed twice weekly. Lesson notes had to be submitted by Thursday and approved before Monday. Underperformers were retrained, and lesson plans were aligned with the national curriculum.

2. Staff Accountability System: A red-yellow-green tracking board was introduced to measure punctuality, preparedness, and professional conduct. Monthly rewards boosted morale.

3. Parent-School Trust Rebuilding: Monthly open days were introduced. Teachers shared progress reports and learning goals directly with parents.

Within two terms, exam scores in English and Maths rose by 38%. Classroom discipline improved. Parents who had withdrawn their wards started returning. By the following year, Hopefield Academy won the Best Private Primary School award in its LGA.

When asked the secret of her success, Mrs. Obaseki said,

“I didn’t come to conform. I came to confront — with love, structure, and truth

Her story proves that when a school supervisor acts as a reformer, not a figurehead, excellence follows.

Listen further :

The School Supervisor’s Mindset: Thinking Beyond the System for the best. 

Gaining an External Perspective for Internal Growth

A great school supervisor must always gain an external perspective to bring fresh insights into the school system. Stagnation happens when supervisors get too used to “how things have always been done.” Instead, supervisors must:

• Attend educational conferences and training to stay updated.

• Network with other school leaders outside their institution.

• Study global best practices in education.

• Constantly evaluate what is working and what needs improvement in their school.

For example, in a private primary school in Lagos, the supervisor had been in the system for over 10 years. However, when a new educational consultant visited, they realized the supervisor was still using outdated assessment techniques from five years ago. The school’s poor academic performance was linked to the lack of innovative teaching methods, which the supervisor had failed to introduce.

Why a School Supervisor Should Never Be a People-Pleaser

A school supervisor cannot afford to please everyone. Unlike a business selling ice cream where customer satisfaction is the goal, school supervision is about ensuring academic excellence, not making everyone happy.

A supervisor must be able to:

• Correct underperforming teachers without fear.

• Challenge school owners and administrators when necessary.

• Enforce strict school health and safety policies.

For example, during a school inspection, a supervisor noticed that teachers were skipping phonics instruction because they found it “too difficult.” Instead of ignoring the issue, the supervisor retrained the teachers and enforced phonics lessons as part of the school’s core curriculum. Some teachers were unhappy, but in six months, the students’ reading abilities had significantly improved.

Mnemonic: S.U.P.E.R.V.I.S.E.

A tool to help supervisors remember their core responsibilities as internal consultants.

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The School Supervisor’s Role in Accountability and Justice

A Supervisor Must Have Clean Hands

Supervision is about justice and equity. A school supervisor must always operate with integrity and transparency. This means:

• Avoiding favoritism among teachers.

• Not ignoring violations of school policies.

• Holding both teachers and school leaders accountable.

For example, in a private secondary school, a supervisor found that a particular teacher was always late but was never disciplined because the school owner liked him. The supervisor took a stand and insisted that lateness must attract disciplinary action, regardless of the teacher’s relationship with the school owner. This improved the punctuality of all staff members.

Saying Yes to School Health and Safety

One of the non-negotiable duties of a school supervisor is ensuring school health and safety. No matter how good the lesson plans are, if students are learning in an unsafe environment, education will suffer.

A supervisor should:

• Inspect classrooms regularly for hazards.

• Ensure clean water and proper sanitation.

• Monitor school meal hygiene.

• Implement emergency response protocols.

In one instance, during an audit of a preschool, a supervisor noticed that the classrooms were overcrowded, increasing the risk of disease transmission. The supervisor enforced a maximum class size policy, improving the students’ well-being.

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The School Supervisor as an Internal Consultant

Why School Systems Must Be Scrutinized

A school cannot improve if its processes and systems are never questioned. A good school supervisor must be willing to evaluate and challenge outdated methods.

For example, in a primary school audit, a supervisor discovered that the grading system was inconsistent. Some teachers used 50% as a pass mark, while others used 60%. This led to confusion among students and parents. By standardizing the grading system, the school improved its academic credibility.

Holding Staff Accountable Without Defending Wrongdoing

A common mistake among school supervisors is defending teachers’ shortcomings instead of addressing them.

During a school audit, a supervisor was seen justifying a teacher’s poor performance instead of allowing the teacher to be corrected. The external auditor stopped and said:

“There is no need for what I am doing right now if you did your job well.”

This was a powerful moment. The supervisor realized that by covering up staff incompetence, he was hindering the school’s growth.

Comparative Table: Conformer Supervisor vs Consultant Supervisor

Strategic Use: This table can be embedded in training decks, turned into a wall poster for supervisor briefing rooms, or used in school audit reports.

When Supervisors Act Like Internal Consultants, Schools Thrive

A school achieves massive success when its supervisors function as internal consultants, bringing fresh perspectives rather than just enforcing rules.

Instead of just checking lesson plans, a consultant-style supervisor would:

• Observe classes and provide constructive feedback.

• Analyze student performance data to identify learning gaps.

• Recommend innovative teaching strategies.

• Bridge the gap between teachers and school owners for better collaboration.

In a thriving private school, supervisors don’t just mark attendance registers—they coach teachers on better instructional methods. This has led to a consistent rise in student academic performance.

Interview: Mrs. Adeniran – Head of Academics, Lagos

Q: What’s the most common mistake you see school supervisors make?
Mrs. Adeniran: Too many supervisors act like compliance officers rather than academic partners. They focus on paperwork—checking diaries, signing registers—yet ignore the heartbeat of the school: what’s happening in the classroom. I’ve seen supervisors who haven’t sat through a full lesson observation in months. That’s dangerous.

Q: What makes a truly effective school supervisor?
Mrs. Adeniran: A good supervisor is a thinking leader. Not a policeman. They must diagnose issues, coach teachers, and influence leadership decisions. I call them “internal consultants” because they must walk into a school and ask, “What’s not working here—and how can we fix it?”

Q: Can you share a personal experience?
Mrs. Adeniran: Absolutely. In 2022, I was consulting for a school in Ibadan. Their pupils were failing comprehension tests badly. The supervisor kept blaming the curriculum. I asked one question: “When last did you sit in on a literacy lesson?” He said, “Last term.” I nearly wept. We restructured supervision, focused on in-class support, and within a term, comprehension scores jumped by 30%.

Q: What’s your advice to young or new supervisors?
Mrs. Adeniran: Don’t get cozy with the system. Systems lie. Students don’t. Always check the child’s output. That’s your report card—not the documents on the staffroom shelf.

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Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (Multiple Choice)

1. A school supervisor should never be a _______ because their job is to ensure school effectiveness.
   a) Conformer
   b) Innovator
   c) Consultant
   d) Leader
   (Correct answer: a) Conformer

2. The role of a school supervisor is to bring ______ perspectives into the school system.
   a) Internal
   b) External
   c) Ordinary
   d) Repetitive
   (Correct answer: b) External

3. A school supervisor must not be a _______ because they are responsible for enforcing rules and standards.
   a) Problem solver
   b) People pleaser
   c) Consultant
   d) Policy enforcer
   (Correct answer: b) People pleaser

4. The primary responsibility of a school supervisor is to ensure ______ in school processes and policies.
   a) Flexibility
   b) Justice and equity
   c) Favoritism
   d) Ignorance
   (Correct answer: b) Justice and equity

5. A school supervisor should always prioritize ______ in all school activities.
   a) Teacher convenience
   b) School health and safety
   c) Financial profit
   d) Student popularity
   (Correct answer: b) School health and safety

6. A key mistake some supervisors make is defending _______ instead of correcting them.
   a) Underperforming teachers
   b) School owners
   c) Hardworking students
   d) School policies
   (Correct answer: a) Underperforming teachers

7. A school supervisor must act as an ______ consultant to ensure school success.
   a) External
   b) Financial
   c) Internal
   d) Independent
   (Correct answer: c) Internal

8. To improve teaching standards, a school supervisor should focus on ______.
   a) Observing classes and giving feedback
   b) Ignoring teachers’ mistakes
   c) Supporting only the school owners
   d) Avoiding interactions with staff
   (Correct answer: a) Observing classes and giving feedback

9. A school supervisor should ______ outdated teaching methods.
   a) Encourage
   b) Question and challenge
   c) Ignore
   d) Accept
   (Correct answer: b) Question and challenge

10. Schools perform better when supervisors act as ______ rather than mere administrators.
    a) Policemen
    b) Internal consultants
    c) Secret agents
    d) Rule breakers
    (Correct answer: b) Internal consultants

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with Answers

1. What is the main role of a school supervisor?
   A school supervisor ensures that academic and administrative processes align with educational standards to improve school effectiveness.

2. Why should a school supervisor avoid being a conformer?
   A conformer does not challenge outdated systems, which can prevent school growth and progress.

3. How can a school supervisor gain an external perspective?
   By attending educational workshops, networking with professionals, and studying global best practices.

4. Why is it wrong for a school supervisor to be a people pleaser?
   A people pleaser may ignore school problems just to avoid conflict, which can lower educational standards.

5. What does it mean for a school supervisor to have clean hands?
   It means acting with integrity, fairness, and accountability while enforcing school rules.

6. Why must a school supervisor prioritize school health and safety?
   Because a safe and healthy school environment improves student learning and well-being.

7. What happens when a supervisor defends an underperforming teacher?
   It allows poor teaching to continue, which affects student performance and school reputation.

8. How can a supervisor act as an internal consultant?
   By evaluating school processes, coaching teachers, and recommending improvements.

9. Why must a supervisor scrutinize school systems and processes?
   To identify weaknesses and implement necessary changes for school improvement.

10. What should a school supervisor do when they find inconsistencies in school policies?
    They should work with the school leadership to establish clear, fair, and effective policies.

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Evaluation Questions

1. Explain why a school supervisor should not be a conformer.

2. Describe how a school supervisor can bring an external perspective into their role.

3. Why is it important for a school supervisor to challenge outdated school policies?

4. What are the dangers of being a people pleaser in school supervision?

5. Discuss the qualities of an effective school supervisor.

6. How can a school supervisor act as an internal consultant to improve school effectiveness?

7. Why is enforcing school health and safety a key responsibility of a school supervisor?

8. What are the consequences of a school supervisor defending teachers who are underperforming?

9. How can a school supervisor ensure justice and equity in their school?

10. Suggest three ways a school supervisor can improve teacher performance in a school.

Read More

• Mistakes School Owners Make During Resumption — And How to Avoid Them
• Best Practices for Staff Training Before a New School Term: Building a Team That Shapes Excellence
• How to Become an Effective Supervisor

 

Final Thoughts

A school supervisor’s role is not just to maintain the system but to transform it. By adopting an internal consultant mindset, supervisors can:

✔ Improve teacher performance.
✔ Enhance student learning outcomes.
✔ Ensure school growth and development.

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