The first full week in May marks Teacher Appreciation Week, when administrators all over the country take great pride in bestowing praise and accolades on their staff, along with small tokens of appreciation. We know that everyone secretly loves a little bit of recognition, but should it be limited to just one week each year? The answer to that is a resounding no. In the words of Todd Whitaker, "There is no such thing as too much praise!" We don't need to wait for a special week to show educators how important they are in the lives of students.
Last year, I devoted time over a two-week period to handwrite thank-you notes to each of my 135 staff members. What a profound way to reflect on their contributions and commitment to teaching and learning. I was in complete awe of the amazing things they do day in and day out for their students and colleagues. It's easy in the hustle and bustle of an administrator's day to lose sight of the collective achievements culminated by passionate and dedicated individuals. Writing thank-you cards caused me to completely lose myself in gratitude for the efforts of the incredible educators that I get to call my staff.
Newton's Third Law of Motion states, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." What I didn't expect was the reaction from my faculty members to this simple gesture. In return, I received emails and kind words that described how meaningful it was to be the recipient of a special note of thanks. I have always been a big fan of praising my staff, but it's often the same people who get highlighted because of their outward enthusiasm, participation in activities and clubs, and leadership in the classroom. The beauty of this activity is that everyone received a note. This is positive energy in motion!
The 4 Mores
After some reflection, I thought, Why not make every week Teacher Appreciation Week? And then it came to me: How about more? More praise, more often, more people, more personal. The idea of the 4 Mores was born.
I set a personal reminder to practice these daily acts of gratitude. Each day, I make time to seek out staff members whom I typically don't run into in the hallways. I travel to the extreme corridors of the building in search of different people in different departments, new ideas, constructive feedback, and relationship-building conversations. I make it a point to express my appreciation and highlight the specific strengths each educator brings to our school while also showing an interest in their lives. Asking about their family and hobbies is a great ice breaker and clearly articulates that "I see you and care about you and your family." If time doesn't permit face-to-face visits, I substitute with an email or note expressing how much I admire their dedication.
The payoff is big! I see more smiles, engage in personal conversations that help build positive relationships with my staff, get an inkling of what is working and what is not, and banter about new concepts and ways we can improve. Most importantly, I grow as a professional, all the while reaffirming a genuine climate of trust and teamwork. It is the foundation of a truly great organization.
Studies find that people who express or are the recipient of gratuitous acts or kind words are more likely to form strong bonds, collaborate, and volunteer. Now more than ever, we need to celebrate the altruistic people who put the best interest of students first every day. Let your staff members know you appreciate them more than they know!
