Celebrating Teacher’s Appreciation Week

Celebrate Your Achievements

“Celebrate each accomplishment on your way to reaching your goal. Each challenge conquered whether large or small is a positive step to greatness.”  Robert Cheeke

It is important to identify success at each Data Step and build upon it. Recognition is important at every data step and the same goes for Data Step 4. Positive recognition and fun play a significant role in the process. It helps in achieving the goal which is to develop and nurture intrinsic motivation.

At this data step, some schools may relax when they believe that intrinsic motivation is present. There is too much to do, so small wins are ignored. If this happens, you are doing a disservice to yourself, your students, and your staff. Celebrating wins during this Data Step 4 will continue to boost morale. 

By recognizing the achievements of your students and staff, you not only boost confidence and motivation but also foster a positive mindset. Celebrating success creates an enjoyable environment. These celebrations may include traditions and awards for Staff and students. 

Tangible, simple staff awards that portray gratitude and encouragement will serve as a great congratulatory incentive. Depending on the school, teachers can always be awarded with much bigger rewards.

How do you recognize teacher success in your school?

Student Awards

Motivating students can be done by giving them awards that can either be tangible or intangible. Preferably, student awards should be something that can motivate them. The only thing that matters is that students value and work to earn the rewards. Having realistic and clearly defined expectations upon receiving the awards is important. Growth goals should be appropriate for the student's current level, especially for those performing at the lowest levels and those who are grade levels behind. 

It is important to consider whether the student wants public or private recognition. This is especially true at the middle school and high school levels. There have been situations where a student doesn’t want to be publicly awarded. If handled poorly, awarding could result in students reducing their performance just to avoid the said awards. 

How do you recognize student success in your school?

Teacher’s Appreciation Week

During this first week of May, we observe Teacher’s Appreciation Week. It was Eleanor Roosevelt who was the first to convince Congress that we needed a specific time to thank teachers for their hard work. “The teachers are, of course, among the most important people in our nation,” she wrote in 1953. 

“Day in and day out they are at work preparing the future citizens of the U.S. … I have always felt that we did not give an honorable enough place in our communities to the teachers. Next to parents, they are the most important people in our communities.” 

What do your teachers really want? 

I have spoken with many teachers, and they want a conducive teaching environment with reasonable class sizes, resources, and equipment that works. They want schools to provide diverse texts and adequate classroom supplies, rather than purchasing those themselves. While budget constraints may hinder this, we can continue to advocate for what teachers need to help students. Above all, teachers want respect and acknowledgement for their professional dedication, hard work, and expertise. 

The best way you can help teachers is to use Teacher Appreciation Week to advocate for what they really want and need, in and out of the classroom. Use the end of the year for your data celebrations and awards!

To all of you hard-working teachers (and school leaders) – Thank you for all you do for kids!

If you are interested in more information or would like assistance with any of the 4 data steps, request a FREE consultation call with me. Fill in the Contact Form Link: https://debradurma.com/contact-us 

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