As educators, we know that students thrive in a safe, positive, nurturing learning environment. In the same way, it has become increasingly important to recognize that staff also thrive in a supportive community. Teacher retention is a critical problem facing education across our nation. Research clearly shows that a key factor in teachers staying or leaving is the support they receive (Walker, 2022). A positive, nurturing school climate takes total staff engagement and the celebration of one another individually and collectively. When staff feel their needs are heard and acted upon and their efforts are valued, we increase the likelihood that we will attract and retain them. It is important to note that school climate is not the sole responsibility of administrators, but rather the day-to-day interpersonal relationships, acknowledgement and support of one another, that happens within a learning environment.
Reframing our view of staff acknowledgement affords us the opportunity to provide support for staff in a holistic manner, recognizing that staff voice, recognition and wellness are all critical aspects of how we acknowledge staff. When staff know that their voice matters within school-decision-making processes, that they are recognized for their contributions, and that their wellbeing is prioritized, we have created an environment that is safe, affirming, and empowering for everyone. Below are three key ways that assist schools to achieve this goal.
Prioritize Staff Voice and Choice
Identifying ways for staff to be involved and offer feedback on critical processes and decisions positively impacts school climate for all staff members. When staff feel their voice is heard and their opinions are a welcome and critical part of school functioning, they will develop greater investment in the community and feel a stronger sense of belonging and empowerment. The following questions can be used to support school leaders and teams to reflect on ways to prioritize staff involvement in several key areas.
- Recognition: How will we survey staff related to their preferences for recognition? What approach can we take to offer staff the opportunity to share and collaborate around the various ways they acknowledge their colleagues?
- Professional Learning: How can we offer choice in professional learning, trusting that people typically know where and how they need to grow? How can we leverage staff strengths in the development and facilitation of professional learning? How can we vary the modalities with which we offer professional development?
- Communication Preferences: In what ways can we find out more about how staff prefer to receive communication so that they feel supported and have clarity on the implementation of key initiatives?
- Professional Growth: How might we engage with individual staff members to learn more about their goals, strengths, and interests? Check out this sample protocol: Getting to Know You Protocol (Caballero, 2023)
- School-wide decision-making: How can we elevate staff voice in critical areas of school decision-making that impact them and their students the most?
Vary Types of Staff Recognition
Building a positive school community takes everyone, so it is critical to ensure there are varied opportunities for all staff to engage in providing recognition. Opportunities for all to provide this to one another is an important part of building a positive school culture. In addition, keep in mind that people have preferences about how they like, and don’t like to be acknowledged. After having staff brainstorm annually, a plan can be created and updated to provide for consistency, as well as novelty and variety, ensuring that acknowledgement systems are effective.
- Individual Acknowledgement Opportunities – Positive feedback and acknowledgement for the incredible work each staff member does each and every day goes a long way, whether that comes from an administrator, a colleague, a student, or even a family or community member.
- Teacher Shout-outs – Allow students, peers, family, and community members to recognize staff by providing easy to complete “shout out” slips in the main office where anyone can access them. Consider having them get returned to the same spot, so an administrator can personally deliver the recognition to the staff member. These shout outs could also be announced on the announcements (keep in mind staff who don’t prefer public recognition).
- Pass the Praise – A small symbol, such as a miniature stuffed mascot, a small standing sign, or perhaps an affirmation cone that can be found at a local dollar store, can be used for staff to pass around from one to another. After displaying the symbol in their own work area for about a week, staff simply write a note, and pass the symbol on to another staff member. Keeping a reminder somewhere that is seen often, such as a schoolwide newsletter or again, near the mailboxes, as a reminder to pass the praise can be helpful.
- Hand-written cards or notes-Personal expressions of gratitude go a long way. Check out this brief guidance document for some personalized and specific gratitude prompts that offer appreciation and acknowledge staff accomplishments: Sharing Gratitude (Caballero, 2023)
- Staff Spotlight- Using a Staff Spotlight feature in the school newsletter and/or on the school website is a great way to recognize a specific staff member who is working to positively impact school and student outcomes. Just remember to be sensitive to staff who do not like being spotlighted publicly. To them that private recognition by their leader(s) and colleagues will mean even more.
- Collective Acknowledgements – In addition to individual recognition, consider other opportunities that bring staff together in the spirit of acknowledging and demonstrating appreciation for the collective work it takes to run a school. This builds a sense of community, camaraderie, and an understanding that we are better together.
- In Dr. Neila Connors’ book, “If You Don’t Feed the Teachers They Eat the Students” (2014) she shares an example called “Adopt-a-Staff Member” Program. Parents and community members adopt a staff member for the year and their goal is to show gratitude and provide the staff members with perks throughout the year.
- Set aside a moment to acknowledge staff who attend any school sponsored event (PTA meetings, sporting events, etc.)
- Set collective staff goals, and celebrate together when they are reached. For example, perhaps the staff sets a collective goal to recognize 500 students with the school’s “Caught Being Good” tickets. As soon as the goal is reached, the staff celebrates together. Keep in mind that progress monitoring is an important part of goal setting, so keeping track of progress toward the goal is helpful in attaining it; keeping a tally counter near the staff mailboxes would be one way.
Attend to Staff Wellness
When staff wellness is a priority, one can imagine that the impact on students will be notable. Creating positive, safe, affirming and empowering school communities, where staff are appreciated and provided a nurturing environment within which to grow, greatly increases the likelihood that they will stay. Following are some ways to intentionally attend to staff wellness.
- Clear communication – Knowing and understanding what is going on brings a sense of predictability and safety. Communicating through a variety of mediums improves the chances that staff will respond in a positive manner. Having a variety of bi-directional communication options is important in any work environment. Staff newsletters or brief weekly memos are a great way to ensure all staff receive the important information necessary to engage in school happenings. There should be a clear method established for staff to provide information through this method as well. A staff announcement board, both physical, perhaps near those same mailboxes, and electronic, can be a wonderful way to provide information in real time.
- Time protection – Having reasonable and realistic expectations for use of time is critical. Creating an appreciation for the many and varied work tasks that each employee must fit into their work day is important. It is critical for employees to have reasonable time to complete their expected work within their defined work day. Consideration should always be given to protecting time that has been designated for lunch, for planning, etc. Things like scheduling meetings that conflict with employees’ lunch schedules for example, can result in feelings of disrespect and frustration. For staff who have additional responsibilities, for example writing Individualized Education Plans, it is important to either set aside time within work schedules or provide compensation for working beyond defined work hours.
- Special events / activities – Optional personal wellness activities and events are a great way for staff to build camaraderie and enjoy productive time together. Family Fitness Nights are an example of a wellness event that has become popular in schools today. More personally focused wellness activities could include staff members providing opportunities for their colleagues to engage with them in any number of hobbies and physical activities, such as yoga, aerobics, walking, book clubs, creative writing, volleyball, and so many more! This gives all staff an opportunity to teach and lead.
Prioritizing staff voice and choice, creating a varied recognition system and intentionally attending to staff wellness are three ways to build a safe, supportive school community where staff thrive and stay. Additionally, check out this PBIS research brief (Barrett et al., 2021), which digs deeper into strategies to intentionally address staff wellness through proactive promotion of wellness, two-way communication and collaboration, and use of data to inform staff support.
References:
Walker, T. (2022, February 1). Survey: Alarming number of educators may soon leave the profession. NEA Today. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/survey-alarming-number-educators-may-soon-leave-profession
Caballero, Crystal. “Making Everyone on Staff Feel Appreciated.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.edutopia.org/article/showing-gratitude-school-staff/.
Conners, N. (2014) If You Don’t Feed the Teachers they Eat the Students! : Guide to Success for Administrators and Teachers (Second). Incentive Publications. July 1, 2024,
Barrett, S., Yanek, K., Raulerson, C., Flammini, A., & Scheel, N. (March, 2021). Building a Culture of Staff Wellness Through Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Eugene, OR: Center on PBIS, University of Oregon. www.pbis.org.
