“The Undercurrent of Trust: What Faculty Really Feel Beneath the Surface

Real trust in schools doesn’t come from titles, charm, or visibility — it comes from authentic, consistent action. Tarter & Hoy (1988) remind us that trust grows when principals structure the work, support their teachers, advocate for them with district leadership, and protect them from undue outside pressure. When leaders “go to bat” for teachers in a real, not performative, way, trust becomes the undercurrent of the school’s culture.

🔑 Want to Build Trust as a Principal? Start here:

✅ Provide clear structure

✅ Show genuine care for teachers

✅ Advocate for your staff with district leadership

✅ Shield teachers from unreasonable outside pressures

But here’s the catch:It must be sincere.Teachers can spot fake “support” from a mile away.

Authentic leadership isn’t performative — it’s felt.Real trust is earned through consistent, meaningful action.

📖 Tarter & Hoy 1988 #FacultyTrust #SchoolLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #TeacherSupport #OceanBlvdInsights