In our ever-changing rush to complete, pressing for test scores, and many other tasks educators face, taking the time to show appreciation for our teachers is an absolute must.
Granted we are all busy just trying to keep the train on the tracks but we must remember that after our students, our teachers are our most important resource for success.
Notes to teachers do not have to be long or elaborate. It has been my experience that heartfelt thanks on a Post-It note can brighten the day for a beleaguered teacher.
Signing on as an administrator means that we must learn to multi-task and be willing to change hats at a moment’s notice. Sometimes, we need to stop and take the time to analyze our teachers and take time to honestly and personally appreciate them.
Verbal “thanks” are important, but sometimes let’s be honest; we just don’t get to it during the day. But, when we take the time to write something personally, it goes a long way to showing appreciation to those we are thankful to have in the classrooms.
Why Staff Appreciation Is a Must
So, why is it important to show appreciation to our teachers? After all, they are doing the job they signed a contract for, and we are paying them, right? One of the most important jobs we have as administrators is to be mindful of the overall health of our school.
This overall health includes our teachers. We could be cynical and say, learn to separate your personal and professional lives. But, let’s be honest, how does that help anyone?
The daily grind of teaching can lead to teacher burnout and even make them question why they are continuing in the field. Multitudes of documentation show how many teachers are leaving the field for something else.
One of the main reasons is burnout and a feeling that their administration does not support them.
Using handwritten, not digital, teacher thank you notes shows your staff that you care about them in the classroom and as a human being.
It is essential to take a moment to show your teachers how much you care. Thank you notes, words of encouragement, uplifting quotes, scripture verses, or just a note to say, “thanks for what you do,” might lift a teacher at just the right moment in their lives.
As an administrator, you can also use handwritten notes to say happy birthday, happy anniversary, congratulations on the new baby or grandbaby, and offer condolences in the death of a family member or friend, to name a few. Administrators can also send get-well-soon cards when a teacher is sick or has surgery or other medical procedures.
By investing in your teachers in this personal way, you stand a good chance of keeping your teachers intact. Everyone wants to work somewhere and for someone where they feel appreciated.
How to Write Staff Thank You Notes
So, how do we keep up with what is going on, and still find time to gather information that we would want to put into an appreciation card?
Yes, we are busy, but again we knew this when we signed up for this career. Taking care of our teachers has got to be a priority. Showing appreciation is part of our job, and if we truly do care about our people, this should be a priority for us.
In writing thank you, or appreciation notes, they should be personal. The teacher needs to feel that you have taken time out of your day to make them feel special and appreciated. If your teacher appreciation note is for encouragement, then mention in your note why you appreciate them.
Let them know if your note is because of a challenge they are going through that you are in their corner all the way. Sometimes all of us just need to know that we are not alone in our journey. We sometimes need to know that someone cares enough to express their support and show that they are willing to be there for you.
When possible, mention in the note something that shows you know how important their work is. Take time to specifically mention something that shows how important their work is, and you have noticed their success in the classroom.
If the note you are writing is celebratory or written for condolence, be sure and add enough details to show that you know what they are going through, good or bad. I cannot express enough how important it is to hand write these notes. Digital is nice, but be honest, would you rather get a real card in and envelope or a digital card through email or text?
In writing the note or card, be sure and express your personal appreciation. Don’t be generic here; be specific and tell the teacher how much they mean to you. The right statement to a teacher stating your personal appreciation can go a long way toward making their day.
As I mentioned earlier, we, as administrators are busy with a multitude of details throughout the day. But staff morale and staff appreciation are as much a part of our jobs as anything else we do in the course of the day.
Our teachers are depending on us to take care of them from an administrative role every day. But when we can take a moment or two to care for them personally, we only improve our teachers. Everyone is better when they feel appreciated.
Verbal thanks while walking down the hallway is important and can help a teacher through the day. But a handwritten note can carry on positively for a long, long time. If you haven’t already tried the handwritten notes, give it a try. The rewards can be great; all it costs is a little time.
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