During a John Draper's engaging presentation on public schools to county-wide educators (teachers, support staff, and administration), he mentioned that we need to work harder at sharing the positive word. Too many people are talking negatively about our teachers, students, and the institution of public education, and it is our job as public educators to not get sucked into that practice. While we may have difficult, burdensome jobs, we are in it to make a difference. Instead of talking about all the struggles (and we know that legislative reps have added to our burden), we need to focus on sharing the good, positive, and accomplishments that happen each and every day in our classrooms, buildings, and districts. Administrators have the job to be a positive ambassador of the schools/districts, but our teachers are the front men and women that the public find the most creditable.
Last year, we started with a "caught being good" program for our students that helps recognize students who are nice to others or doing something that demonstrates good character. This year, we started the "successory" program for our staff, and it is a wonderful way to recognize all that our teachers, support staff, and even administrators are doing.
Our student council group leads the "successory" program at Manchester Middle School. Student reps went to their advisory classes to explain the program and actually have all students in their class write successory slips to a staff member. The reps defined successory (someone who has helped me on my way to success) and then collected the slips which included the following content: I am:, I want to thank ____ for helping me!, Thank you for:, a signature, and a date. Student council also talked about the drop off boxes and extra slips in the office, media center, and cafeteria where students could complete the slips anytime. For our first delivery, student council reps decorated envelops for the slips and made sure everyone had some. One 5th grade teacher received over 60 from all grades in the building, including from 8th graders! Our office staff, bus drivers, food service, paras, and custodial staff all received slips. I was even quite surprised to receive four slips myself. Student council tries to distribute slips about once a marking period so that everyone can be recognized. The program is very cool, but the effects are even more rewarding.
Many of the slips made staff cry; it was the most appreciated they have felt in years. Even though I and the parent group also try to recognize staff and tell them how much we appreciate them, it was getting the recognition from the students that made the biggest impact. Many staff members hang their slips by their desks to help remind them of their influence and that they are making such an astounding difference. Even staff are completing slips for other staff. HERE IS THE BEST PART, I decided to start spotlighting a staff member on our school Facebook page and include a couple of student comments for that teacher each day. I am advertising all our successes; parents and students are liking and commenting on our staff; and the positivity is spreading. Here's an example of a Facebook update.
I encourage you to implement this program in your building/schools ASAP. Help spread the positivity.
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