Donna Klein’s Blueprint for Supervisory Excellence: Four Pillars for Faculty Growth

By Dr. Harry Bloom, Founder and President, Benchmarking for Good, Inc.

What is the purpose of Supervision in a day school? While this may seem like a simplistic, unnecessary question, it turns out to be a vital one relative to strengthening Jewish day school instruction. Benchmarking for Good research among 25 diverse Jewish day schools indicate that only 45% of faculty members are very satisfied that the supervision they receive is helping them grow professionally. At Donna Klein, the percentage is 65%!

In this installment of Benchmarking for Good's Video Lessons for Leaders, Donna Klein's Head of School Helena Levine and former Associate Head of School Joanie Silverman, identify four clear supervision pillars as foundational for supervision success.

Four Pillars of Effective Supervision

1. Cultivate a Growth-Oriented Culture

Supervision should empower, not intimidate. At Donna Klein, feedback is viewed as a tool for development, not punishment. Leaders build trust by clarifying that feedback is meant to promote excellence, and they maintain transparency through open, two-way communication.

2. Implement Structured Leadership Training

Growth doesn’t happen by accident. All faculty are systematically trained in core leadership habits, such as those from the “Leader in Me” program. Supervisors receive targeted training to lead with positivity and consistency, and checks and balances ensure the culture remains supportive and constructive.

3. Embrace Distributive Leadership and Faculty Voice

Donna Klein values every teacher’s perspective. Leadership is distributed, not top-down, and faculty feedback is actively sought and used to shape professional development. Anonymous surveys help leaders continually refine their support and address areas for improvement.

4. Prioritize Social-Emotional Well-Being

Effective supervision goes beyond professional growth—it cares for the whole person. Donna Klein creates a safe environment where teachers feel comfortable seeking help. Leaders are ready to provide immediate support, whether it’s a break, downtime, or classroom coverage, recognizing that external events can impact teachers’ well-being.

By focusing on these four pillars, Donna Klein Jewish Academy demonstrates how thoughtful supervision can drive faculty growth, satisfaction, and excellence. Their blueprint offers valuable lessons for any school aiming to empower its educators.

How Benchmarking for Good Can Help Your School

Benchmarking for Good faculty climate research can empower your school's faculty supervision program by giving you the hard, comparative data to know where your school stands on this vital issue. Contact Dr. Harry Bloom at harrybloom@benchmarkingforgood.org to explore a research partnership.