It’s Teacher Appreciation week!
Teaching is both rewarding and draining. Burnout is real. It helps to remember why you teach, and kind words and actions go a long way. I hope this week (and beyond) that you feel the love from parents and caretakers, students and administrators, but you can also show teacher appreciation for your colleagues.
Recognizing teachers for what they do — the quiet day-to-day things just as much as the fun, splashy things — helps keep morale up.
Think about the last time somebody complimented you or thanked you for your work. Perhaps they said something to you on a call or sent an email or note. I bet it felt good and gave you a boost. Remember a time when somebody noticed where you went the extra mile or made a difference for a student. It’s gratifying. When was the last time somebody did something that made your life as a teacher just a little easier, because they recognized how hard you work?
3 Ideas for recognizing other teachers for teacher appreciation week
Recognizing teachers can start with you. You can show appreciation for other teachers — and it doesn’t have to take a lot.
1. Write a note recognizing teachers for what they do
Write a note to another teacher (or all the teachers on your team) with appreciation for something they have done. It could be anything:
- The way they worked with a certain student
- A tip they gave you
- The extra work they did on a team project
- The way they make school a better place for you or students or everyone
- Making you laugh when things are tough
- A way they encouraged you that sticks with you
You can share your own thoughts, and also pass along good things you’ve heard about the other teacher from colleagues or parents or students.
Make it cute by giving some chocolate with a “You’re so sweet” note. Or “You’re my cup of tea” with some tea bags or “You’re da balm” with a lip balm.
2. Recognize teachers publicly
A personalized, private note goes a long way, but there’s something to be said for recognizing people in front of others. Here are a few ideas:
- Put a star on other teachers’ doors with a message: Ms. C is a star because … Leave sticky notes for others to add to the message. You could even work with a few colleagues to do this for others to make sure everyone gets some appreciation.
- See if you can add an appreciation message to morning announcements each day. Say something to recognize every teacher.
- Ask to post a message in the school newsletter to share your appreciation for other teachers.
- Post your appreciation on school social media.
- Thank people at your next staff meeting.
These ideas can be used throughout the school year, not just this week. Use them anytime morale is low — or help make them part of your school culture.
3. Recognize teachers’ hard work by making it easier
Part of teacher appreciation is recognizing the hard work teachers do every day, so what if recognizing teachers involved making teaching a little easier?
You could share your favorite teaching tip (and invite your colleagues to do the same).
You could make a teacher survival kit and fill it with some useful items, like office supplies, Bandaids, hand lotion, and tissues.
Or you could gift another teacher a membership in the Top Notch Teaching Members Club. It’s full of done-for-you resources in math, literacy, science, PE, classroom management and more. What says, “I recognize all the work you do” more than something that gives back time?
As a teacher, I appreciate my mentors and colleagues and customers. I continue to learn and be inspired by the work others are doing in the classroom. I love sharing ideas and resources.
Here’s a freebie to make spelling more fun for your students and easier for you:
I hope these ideas help you share your appreciation for other teachers and that you are deeply recognized and appreciated this week — and all through the year!
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