Blog Post #1
Appreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
Appreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteI show appreciation to my students by giving them a warm smile and telling them thank you when they did something for me or for a classmate. At our school, we do PAWS tickets for our PAWS expectations. When they are following the expectations, they get a PAWS ticket. This system is great because it highlights the positive things that students are doing at school in the classroom. Telling students thank you and giving them words of appreciation, it makes them feel warm inside, you can see the smile on their face. By creating a culture of appreciation with my school community and school is to be role model and educate students on how we can appreciate others.
Our spelling sentence this week in First grade is...I will be kind, not rude. Kindness goes a long way in life. When I post my weekly memo I always thank the parents for all that they do for their children and the extra help that they willing give from day to day. Parents need to hear this every week! They do spend a lot of time teachig their kids at home too! We have amazing parent support and I am always so thankful for that! I always thank my students and make sure they remember to thank the hot lunch ladies, or the librarian or each other. Some kids do not say thank you, it is assumed the item is theirs because they are entitled. When you teach, you are an example to your students. They watch everything that you do! If they see you saying "thank you" they will do the same! "Monkey see, monkey do! " When ever a student says thank you, I thank them for remembering without being told. I love to hear "thank you!" It should be on the tip of their tongue all day long!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kim Bearden's statement that "Appreciation has power...". I try to show appreciation for others every chance I get. It's important to let others know they're appreciated. Learning to say "thank you" is a critical lesson in manners that I have tried to instill in my own children as well as all of my students. I stepped away from teaching for a couple years and during that time I started a Parent/Teacher Organization in our community. This organization continues to show appreciation for students, staff, parents, and administration throughout the school year. I have also been blessed with many appreciative parents and students throughout the years that send gifts, sweet little notes or drawings, etc. I feel that you get in return what you give. Hopefully I can help continue this circle of appreciation in our school.
ReplyDeleteAppreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteI show appreciation to my students/parents/colleagues/admin & community members by doing small things to provide authentic positivity: participating in, or attending events, handwritten thank you notes/or emails, praising ideas and things that go well throughout the year, etc. Ways I've been shown praise in return - there are a few somewhat scripted activities for students to write thank you notes (handwritten/or emails) to teachers, but I do get some that are sent out of their own free will - those do mean a bit more to me ;) (even though it shouldn't matter). Admin acknowledging the times we go above and beyond our required tasks as teachers and thanking us for our efforts with students/parents when things are challenging, and giving us grace - feels good. I can help contribute to a culture of appreciation within our community/school by offering small (authentic) bits of encouragement to my inner circle of teachers/my own students, and branching out from there when possible.
Appreciation has so much power. When a person feels appreciated they will work harder and be more positive. When they feel that appreciation leave, they will not be as determined and work as hard. As a teacher my first goal is to get to know my students, both on a personal level and an academic level. I want to help them become better people and better students. I show that I appreciate them by getting to know them, listening to their stories, looking them in the eye, and giving out plenty of high fives, fist bumps, or hugs. I enjoy connecting with my students and have found they enjoy being heard. I want them to know I am their biggest fan. I try to treat the staff I work with in the same way. I want to hear about their lives, their families. If I know they are having a rough time, I try to help anyway I can.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to always give genuine thanks you and pay it forward moments. You never know when you can lift someone up and help change their attitude about the day.
I make positive phone calls to parents/guardians when a student is doing something good. If I don't reach the parent, I make sure to leave a message. I can't tell you how many times I have had parents thank me for the message and they re-played it multiple times along with letting their child hear my praise!
ReplyDeleteI make a point of recognizing staff's hard work and thanking them along with offering to help with the task....we are a team! When people feel appreciated, seen and heard we all tend to work harder.
I can help create a culture of appreciation with helping in the trenches
* running a pass for a campus supervisor when I know they are already helping somewhere else.
*helping cover a class for a teacher, so they can go attend their child's award ceremony.
*pick up trash and hold students accountable for not leaving trash to help custodial staff.
These are a few very small things that I can continue to do, but I help support at a higher level all the time. I want to praise and compliment as much as possible along with being visible. When I have built that relationship piece it does help when I do have address corrections needed. Let's face it, praise and thank you's help us all keep a positive attitude and positive work environment!
Appreciation has power- I love this quote! I show appreciation to my students by applauding good behavior, hard work or improvement. I also love to compliment my students on their clothes, footwear , hair, accessories and so on. I think this really makes them feel good! I also love contacting parents to let them know that their child was "student athlete of the week" in PE class. I think the appreciation goes both ways with this one- the parents are thrilled about it, and appreciate I took the time to tell them.
ReplyDeleteI truly think appreciation does have power! My main goal as an educator is to create a safe, caring environment in my classroom. My entire teaching strategy is built on the concept that if students feel safe, loved, and respected, then they'll give me the same respect and love in return. So far it has worked for many years, and I rarely have an behavior issues. Appreciation is a huge part of that. I need my students to know that I appreciate their time, their interests, and their actions. I make sure to tell them this constantly, but I also try to show them. For example, we always preach to kids to get involved in activities. Well, this creates added stress for kids. I try to show them I appreciate their efforts by providing enough work time for all assignments so after school they can focus on activities and family responsibilities. Students see this and show their appreciation for me by utilizing time wisely and being respectful. When people, students or not, feel respected, they tend to achieve at a higher level than they would otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI show appreciation to my colleagues by saying a simple 'thank you" and helping them whenever they need something. Doing acts of kindness is a way for me to give back for all they do for the kids. Administration shows appreciation with gifts such as food to show thanks. I am also a bus driver for pick up and drop off and the parents and kids often give appreciation around Christmas by giving gifts and cards, saying how much they appreciate the work I do. I can create a better culture of appreciation within my school by being more specific in the ways I say thank you, not just ‘good job’ but ‘good job following the rules of that game, I appreciate you listening to the instructions.’
ReplyDelete- Tony Neu
DeleteAppreciation towards students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and community members can be shown through a variety of ways such as verbal/nonverbal phrases, helping out when others are in need, offering gestures or treats as a way to say thank you, but most importantly through respecting each other. Showing and treating others with respect can show how much we appreciate everyone's value, knowledge, time, and energy that they put forth in their every day jobs. These individuals have shown appreciation towards me by always going above and beyond to treat us for all the hard work we do, being communicative with everyone, and showing empathy daily. The ways in which I could help create a culture of appreciation within my community can be shown through giving back, volunteering, and offering donations to areas in need, whether that be clothes, food, toys, etc. Appreciation in any workplace can hold such a positive atmosphere that can have an everlasting effect on every individual that walks through the building especially with young minds who are growing each and every day.
ReplyDeleteHow do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteA teacher friend of mine once told me flat out, Im bad at showing appreciation, so I write thank you notes often. I have found that that is a really great tool for myself as well. I am working on being appreciative in the moment but often times when I have time to reflect on the day, I will sit down and write thank you notes or notes of appreciation. I know that when someone points out in perminent ink to me the thing or things that I do that they appreciate, I feel really good. It really boosts my moral for days even sometimes. Trying to carry this on in my own way has been a fun way to show my own appreciation for all of the people listed in the initial question.
When I am not writing appreciation notes, Sometimes it is just accomplished through a thoughtful gift or even just a really nice conversation with the person, expressing exactly what they did that I am appreciative of, and how it affected my day week or job as a whole. I try to be very foward with my appreciation to students, this often produces some of the highest effort out of them that I ever see. They feel seen, they feel heard. Anyone who feels these things is likely to produce better outcomes in their work.
I have an amazing community of people who support both me and my students when I ask. I recently was looking for a pair of sneaker for a student who really wanted to play basketball. The community members came together a few dollars at a time, and I was able to make a public facebook post including the members that donated. I was able to express my appreciation to these people with a handwritten note from both me and the kiddo. It was the cutest note from him and they all loved it.
In my personal life I really am big on showing appreciation, in our house it cultivates a positive giving attitude. THank yous and "get backs" are the way we show appreciation in my house. Get backs are when you show you appreciate someone taking something off your plate by taking something off theirs. This works for all family members and is such a good feeling.
I try to use this at school, which is a little more difficult, because not all people see the value in telling someone else how they made them feel, or how they appreciate what they did for them. I hope that I can continue to show my students and fellow teachers appreciation, and show my students how to show appreciation, so that they can use it as a tool for understanding as they grow and need people to do the things they do for them.
I agree with the quote that appreciation has power. Creating a culture of appreciation is important at school. To me it’s important because the culture of your environment that surrounds you can make or break your day and or job. As a middle school special education teacher, I do my best to make my students feel seen and appreciated through big and small wins. When students feel seen and appreciated it not only builds trust with them, but it also encourages them to keep working hard. These wins can also be celebrated with the students' parents by calling them with positive news at school. I also make a point to show appreciation for my paras by telling them when something is a great idea, bringing small tokens of appreciation such as coffee, etc. We can all be more intentional about creating a positive environment of appreciation. As mentioned above, it is not a one-time event, so each day gives us the opportunity to make a choice.
ReplyDeleteAs for feeling appreciated, it is nice to hear that you are doing a good job. I enjoy it when the students are happy to be in my class. Admin shows appreciation through random rewards such as a “jeans week” or bringing in treats. It is also nice when your hard work is reflected on your evaluations completed by the admin. It shows that your hard work is not going unnoticed.
-Elizabeth Maller
DeleteI am going to be honest and say I don't "appreciate" people as often as I should. Although I do send positive, thoughtful feedback notes to my students' families the past couple years, I could do more. I tend to forget to directly thank students for their efforts. We reward with an online platform that allows them to see points and earn rewards, but I think notes or a simple, direct thank you goes a long way. This year, I am on a math pilot committee at my school, and I have received to notes from a co-worker in my building, thanking me for the time, and work I'm putting into it. I wasn't expecting them, and was happy to be part of the team, but it always feels great to be appreciated. In my old district, I created a staff shout outs board so people could be randomly and anonymously be praised. It was something that people seemed to think was extra work, and there wasn't a ton of participation unfortunately. I'd love to try that in my current school!
ReplyDeleteI will say that being appreciative and creating an appreciative environment is one of my strong suits. I had a very hard childhood. My mother was also diagnosed with cancer twice and as you know it truly stops you in your tracks and teaches you to not take anything for granted.
ReplyDeleteThat has always been in the back of mind. My faith is the other unwavering part of my story. Without going into detail we are to always be appreciative and grateful for our blessings. I am always talking to my own students about appreciating what we have in the present. When we go outside we stop and take in the beauty.
With parents, I really work on building a relationship with them and letting them know I care. I am deeply appreciative of my students parents and let them know frequently via Remind messages, or emails.
I think the same applies with my students. This is one of my strong suits. I am very quick to see positive behavior and give them that feedback right away. I also send home happy notes, etc.
With my collegues
Whoops! I hit publish before I was done.
ReplyDeleteAs I was saying with my colleagues I build deep relationships with them and use my humor to have fun throughout our workday. Having those strong relationships makes work so much more fun and the kids feel that too.
Appreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteI am constantly thanking students for the simplest tasks such as pushing in their chair. I also thank them for their hard work in my room with snacks if they need it as well as time to just sit and talk to me or my aide if they need to. I I think the high fives or fist bumps I give to my students as they come and go is another way to show that I appreciate them being in school.
As far as showing appreciation for co-workers and administrators,I am part of the "Super Secret Fun Committee" we have in our high school. We are a group of teachers who volunteer our time. Our goal as a committee is to provide some kind of "treat" every month to our staff to let them know they are appreciated.
Teachers and students show appreciation to me by thanking me for providing help to them. I also have had some students write little notes of appreciation to me explaining how being in my room has motivated them to do better and set a goal to actually graduate when they were planning on dropping out. That is probably the best part of my job; seeing students not give up and show grit in the educational journey.
When talking to students, parents, and colleagues, I let them know how much I appreciate them by using words. It can be simple things like I really like what you did there and telling them how awesome they are. For my students, I let them know that I appreciate their hard work or their willingness to work with others. For parents, this will usually fall around conference times. When I reach out to parents, it's usually to parents whose child is struggling in my class with the content or behavior. When I talk to these students, many times the parents are also exhausted with trying to get their child to work or behavior. I try to sympathize with the parents and let them know that they are doing a great job and their student will get there.
ReplyDeleteOthers show appreciation towards me by simply thanking me for sharing a resource. I also receive this from parents, as well as many parents will thank me for what I do with teaching and dealing with their child. I think just showing gratitude in everything we do can greatly impact anyone and everyone. Just showing appreciation, big or small, can make someone feel good and will lead to them to mostly do the same for others.
Appreciation goes so far and means more than people truly realize. With my students I always try to make a point to point out to them when they do something and I appreciate it. If I forget to say something in the moment, I will write sticky notes and put it at their desk so it is the first thing they see in the morning. I also strive to teach my students to say "thank you" as much as possible, if it's to other students, teachers, lunch ladies, or even the janitors. I tell my parents at open house how much I appreciate everything they do with their child and how we are a team together through the year. I used to send several messages via email or Remind to parents, even if it was a quick message but just to let them know I was thinking about them and they are appreciated. I love giving gifts, for my colleagues I love leaving small things for them to let them know I appreciate them always. Even if it is just a bottle of pop or a coffee in the morning, the small things go so far. One thing I do with my students is every month I have them pick a teacher from this year or the previous year (our school was only 5th and 6th grade) and they were to write a small note to that person to explain to them what impact they had on their life and how much they appreciated them being part of our school and their journey. So many teachers have reached back out to the students and have shown their appreciation for a simple note. This is really eye opening for students to see what a little note or gesture of appreciation can do. This is really heart warming to see, especially as students start to ask if they can bring in something small to put with their notes. They realize making someone else's day essentially makes your day. I love watching this transpire through the year! I usually end up getting many notes from previous students as they continue on the tradition, which is so cool to see and experience. Our community helps teachers feel appreciated by supplying snacks or breakfast items throughout the school year. Our school PTO also assists with this, again it's the small things that can be done that show appreciation and they mean just as much as big gestures.
ReplyDeleteI show my students appreciation by telling them thank you when they assist with setting up for our Shooting Sports activities each week. Also, I like to make to tell the students how good of a job they are doing with caring for the equipment they borrow and other students’ equipment around them. I make sure to thank the parents who come and help and I like to ask the students and the parents if there is anything I can help them with. I love seeing the students grow in their abilities throughout the season. In my classroom I like to acknowledge my students and thank them for helping get the books out and staying on task. I take interest into their classroom work and I like to talk with them about their interests outside of school like my one student loves archery hunting, Shooting Sports, and youth group. While another one of my students enjoys visiting about his cows, different tasks on the farm, and hunting.
ReplyDeleteMany parents have shown their appreciation with simple thank you for helping their kids, texting mentioning they appreciate the help I have given to their family over the holidays, and the joyous smiles from the kids each week when they are able to attend Shooting Sports activities
I have found that creating a sense of community between the kids and teaching them that cheering each other on helps all of us has made a huge impact on all our students and their families.
I like to show appreciation to my students through smiles, hugs, and my words. For others, and including my students, I like to write letters to them, expressing my appreciation. A handwritten letter is not common anymore and I believe it is nice for someone to take the time to write one personally. Ways students have shown appreciation is by giving little gifts. Something as simple as a drawing or even a huge lets me know that they appreciate me. As for the parent, I have received emails. Colleagues and administrators have said words or our superintendent likes to treat us to coffee as a way of saying thank you for everything that you have done. In the past, the community has come together to raise funds for all the teachers to receives flowers for valentine’s day. That was such a thoughtful idea! I am the advisor for our school’s Student Council, and we like to acknowledge the janitors, cooks, school board, etc. usually by giving them a little something and writing them a note on how much we appreciate everything that they do for us.
ReplyDeleteThere are probably more ways than I realize that I show appreciate to my students, teaching partners and to parents. We all know that kindness goes so far, and we should treat everyone the way we want to be treated, but when we do it over and over again, that is when it leaves an impact. I think about all of the ways I show appreciation to my students. One of the most simple things I do is greet them all with a smile and warm welcome each morning. Fast forwarding to the end of the day, I give them all a fist bump, high five or hug and tell them to have a great night and I will see them tomorrow. The tight hugs I get back tell me that they needed to hear that. I also do classroom and/or school rewards such as BINGO cards, punch cards, tickets, Eagle cards etc. Doing these not only promote positive behavior, but show that I appreciate who they are and what they are doing. Lastly, simply telling them "thank you" or "I appreciate you doing that" is something so simple, yet they light up when the spotlight is on them for being acknowledged.
ReplyDeleteOne way I show appreciation to parents is whenever I ask for a donation for the classroom I stress how I truly appreciate them. I write them thank you notes, I send shout outs home and I stay connected with them through Seesaw.
To show appreciation to colleagues, there are many things that happen throughout the school year. I am part of our Sunshine Committee and we plan events, luncheons, dress up days, fun days, etc. We celebrate staff birthdays, weddings, babies, etc. Doing luncheons, giving staff shout outs, and just sending "Sunshine" emails are all ways staff in my school are shown appreciation. A little sunshine goes a LONG way!
I am shown appreciation when I am told thank you, or I appreciate you. Getting emails, small gifts during teacher appreciation week, thank you cards, etc. all show me how appreciated I am.
ReplyDeleteI show appreciation to students by verbally recognizing their efforts and perseverance and growth. I throw pizza parties for growth on standardized tests. I write a short note and mail home to 1 kid a week. I publicly thank kids for positive behaviors. I also privately check in with some that I know struggle. For my parents, I send 2 positive emails home per week. I also thank them for their support with any communication. I try to express gratitude for my colleagues and administrators. I also check in when I know their day has been tough. I feel like when the kids give me Xmas presents that their parents are showing their appreciation! I get little notes from students quite often. We also have times during PD when we write a note to another staff member. I think by continuing to model appreciation, that will help to continue with our great culture at our school.
My team and I throw a party each month for students who go above and beyond to show how much we appreciate them. I also write little notes honoring my students weekly and we call home for good news. In a world where life isn't always fair, it's nice to honor kids who do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteAppreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteI am having a very hard time answering this question. When I step back and think about what I do to show appreciation towards my students and their parents, I am left wondering. Wondering if they feel appreciated? What have I done in the past that would show appreciation? What can I do in the future to show more appreciation? I know that attending their extracurriculars may be viewed as appreciation. Since having my fourth child, I haven't attended as much as I used to, especially when I was a coach myself. I think that showing up for them shows that you both appreciate them and that you care about them and their interests past the classroom.
As a parent of three school age children (in the same school I work in) I will occasionally bring treats and goodies for the various staff workrooms. I know how difficult my children can be, and I appreciate all they do for my family. I have written thank you notes for various colleagues when they have helped out in various ways; things like covering my classroom or covering the ticket booth for me.
Being a member of the small community that we are in, I feel like the appreciation has gone above and behind for our staff. We are so fortunate for all they do for us. Ask and we shall receive, every time. Ways that we show appreciation for this is thank you cards, open houses, and signed letters from the students.
Appreciation is powerful and simple. Treat others how you want to be treated. Notice hard work. Little things add up and motivate people to work harder. Appreciation doesn't have to be a big deal. It can be a nice handwritten note or just verbal praise. For a student it can be a high five or a thumbs up. I try to create a culture of appreciation by walking in the hallway, saying hi or nice outfit, giving high fives or just smiling at someone. They give me appreciation back because I can tell they are excited to see me. They know they will feel good when they walk by me. It is the best feeling ever.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the quote that appreciation has power, and I believe creating a culture of appreciation is essential in schools. The environment you are surrounded by can truly make or break your day and your job. As a first grade teacher, I make a conscious effort to ensure my students feel seen and valued by celebrating both big and small successes. When students feel appreciated, it not only builds trust but also motivates them to continue working hard.
ReplyDeleteThese successes can also be shared with families by reaching out with positive phone calls home, notes, or Seesaw messages. This helps strengthen relationships with parents. I also prioritize showing appreciation for staff by acknowledging their ideas, thanking them when they contribute something meaningful, and occasionally bringing small tokens of appreciation, such as chocolate or coffee. Creating a positive and appreciative environment requires intentional effort, and it is not a one-time act—it is a daily choice.
In terms of feeling appreciated myself, it is meaningful to hear that I am doing a good job, especially when students are happy and enjoy being in my classroom. Administration often shows appreciation through small gestures. It is encouraging when my evaluations reflect my hard work, as it reassures me that my efforts are noticed and valued.
Appreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteI hope that i show appreciation to my students by being present & attentive to them. I have a unique teaching situation in my district in that i teach every student from the time they are 3yrs old (if they come to preschool) through at least the 8th grade as vocal music is required through the 8th grade in my district. We tend to keep about a 94% hs participation rate in vocal music as well - so i continue to teach nearly every student in our district for their entire educational career. I truly do believe this allows me to build a meaningful relationship with them & have several opportunities to "appreciate" them as people. This connection is unique & i think it has helped to foster respect & appreciation not only with my students, but with the community & faculty members in our building as well. Creating a culture of appreciation is something you have to work at every single day & you have to be mindful and deliberate to ensure that you are creating an atmosphere of "appreciation" all of the time - not just once in awhile. This takes work by both the teacher and the students, but i have found that students tend to thrive when they feel like they are appreciated and valued.
I feel like appreciation is powerful as well. My appreciation is shown to my students through my compliments to them, often, and letting them know that "I always get the best classes." I randomly give out stickers for those working hard and doing their best. Also, the class can vote on their choice of a class celebration when they have consistently been respectful, responsible, and safe. I have sent home "Happy Mail" to parents, letting them know how proud I am of their child for the choices that they are specifically making. As for my colleagues, I try to thank them as often as possible for acts of kindness and consideration to other colleagues, students, or to me. While practicing our writing, I have students write notes of appreciation to fellow teachers, janitors, and, weekly, to fellow students. Frequently, I have ended messages to fellow colleagues or administrators (or, said in person) how much I appreciate their efforts and work that they do. Creating a culture of appreciation at work and in the community does take a certain mindset, I feel. Also, it takes some grit to power through the "storms" which happen throughout out lives, and not get hung up on the negative. But, instead, be purposeful in seeing the good in all people, while trying to be empathetic and kind. We need to make sure others know we care and are here to help each other! There are countless ways to show appreciation in the community, here are a few we have done: write thank you notes to area businesses and servicemen; at the beginning of our Veteran's Day school program, students hand out carnations to vets, thank you notes; randomly, put an grateful note and a sweet treat on someone's desk; put a signed poster on the janitor's door and students sign it, thanking him/her for the work.
ReplyDeleteAppreciation is very powerful. I know from personal experience the difference appreciation can make. Simple gestures such as a smile, a wave, or a thank you can definitely change the trajectory of someone's day. Which is why I try to make eye contact with my students individually and smile at them. Thank them for learning with me and making sure I make a big deal out of pleasant gestures such as holding the door open. It makes people feel good and inspires them to want to make someone else feel good too. Other ways I have shown appreciation in my community is writing thank you notes to Veterans, telling people specifically what I appreciate about them (ex: I appreciate you taking time to show me where the ranch is).
ReplyDeleteI think we can cultivate a culture of appreciation by living it out, teaching those around us or in a sphere of influence to be/how to be appreciative, and to seek out/actively look for ways to be appreciative.
I agree with the author Kim Bearden's statement "Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change." When we show appreciation to others it must be sincere and come from our innermost thoughts. It cannot just be wordage, it must be truly authentic. I have shown appreciation to students, by complementing them on their work and efforts. Sometimes, I may even lesson some class assignments because of their dedicated work. I have shown appreciation to parents letting them know I appreciate them through conversation or written notes. I enjoy stopping in other teachers' classrooms or administration offices and letting them know I appreciate all their dedication to out school. People have shown me appreciation with general conversation and cards/notes/ect. I believe as educators we can model appreciation of others each and everyday throughout the school building, so students and others can witness this good gesture. It is amazing to witness people continuing this trend once it gets started.
ReplyDeleteI make sure to thank anyone I appreciate, big or small. If it's students that are working hard and following expectation I try to make time to tell them how much I appreciate their work/project, or whatever it is. I have also done notes for students, parents, and co-workers. I have also done treats for students and staff as an appreciation.
ReplyDeleteAs for showing me appreciation, I have coffees/treats/gifts given to me, and I have had a teacher's offer to help cover a recess if I needed help. I think to create a culture of appreciation, of have to be an example of what appreciation looks like.
In my school I hear teachers say to each other often, " I appreciate you!" and that really makes a difference! It says , " I hear you and see you and thank you!" I use please and Thank you often every day in my classroom to my students and my paraprofessionals. I bring coffee treats for teachers and donuts on some Fridays. Once you start intentionally showing appreciation, it just builds and continues. I also try to send home positive emails almost weekly to my students parents, and I will start to tell them I appreciate that they share their child with me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was teaching full time, I would do my best to make time to tell each of my students how much I appreciate their hard work and dedication. I would have some students who would always come late or skip school altogether and so I would let them know how excited I was to see them that day. At the first school I taught we would write 1 affirmation per week on a paper tiger (we were called the tigers) to a staff member. I really enjoyed going to my mailbox and reading my affirmation because a lot of times they were words that I needed to hear at that particular time!
ReplyDeleteI've had parents or staff members leave me notes of appreciation after they've seen me have a hard day and that was always nice. Teacher Appreciation Day is always a day when people go all out in letting teachers know how much they are appreciated....but I think that is silly.... every day is an opportunity to tell someone you appreciate them and that you care about them. As the author of the book has stated many times, "You never know what the other person's story is." Taking the time to send a nice email to your child's teacher just because you felt it was on your heart to do so could be the best thing that they've read all day. These small acts of kindness should spread throughout your community too! A lady from my church had asked me to do a favor for her because she was sick from her cancer treatments and couldn't do her part during the church service. Of course I jumped at the opportunity because I really wanted to help her! Giving someone an extra dollar for a tip because they treated you with kindness all while you could tell they were just barely holding it together. With the way the world is today, we could all do better with telling people how much they mean to us and our families.
Appreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteI show appreciation to those I work with by acknowledging them and the efforts they make. I often tell my students that I appreciate them. There are times when I know they are tired, or have had to sit for too long during a lesson and I make a point to tell them that I appreciate how they listened and showed respect. When I email or make contact with parents I try to make a point to tell them that I appreciate what they do to help their child at home. I known how hard it is to work a full time job and support your children with their school work at home. It is important to validate a parent when they are doing the best they can.
A couple times a year our older students will write letters of appreciation to teachers they have had in the past. I receive several of these letters each year. It warms my heart to hear from them and to hear how I have played a role in their life and that they do appreciate the work I have done.
I show appreciation to students, parents, and colleagues by welcoming families into our space, showing genuine care and concern for them and their child, showing up to events, and making time for meaningful conversations. I try to let families know that they are valued partners in their child’s education and that their presence and input matter.
ReplyDeleteIn return, many families show appreciation to me by sharing parts of their lives with me, inviting me to important events, and taking the time to ask about my life as well. These small gestures help build strong, trusting relationships and remind me how meaningful this work can be.
I can help create a culture of appreciation in my school by regularly acknowledging the efforts of colleagues, celebrating student successes, and expressing gratitude to families and staff. Simple actions like thanking coworkers, recognizing hard work, and highlighting positive moments can help create an environment where people feel valued, supported, and connected. When appreciation becomes part of everyday interactions, it strengthens the entire school community.
Appreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteI greet my students everyday and welcome them to a new day of learning. I have a small goup of 10 students in 3rd thru 8th grade and almost everyday one of them will bring me a small prize or treat, something they think I will like. I believe to appreciate what each student has to offer to our learning environment is crucial in creating a relaxed feeling of calm. It is important to welcome each student and let them know how eager I am to start our learning for the new day, because I want them to know I am pleased to have them as a part of the group.
Appreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteStudents: I show appreciation to my students by acknowledging their positive behavior. I give daily shout-outs at the end of each class that I teach to show appreciation to the students that I noticed showing positive sportsmanship and following directions.
Parents: I write monthly 'Happy Mail' letters to a student from each class that I teach. This letter is for the parents to see of all the great things their child is doing in P.E. It really is a letter of appreciation to the student and also to the parents.
Colleagues/Administration: When a colleague helps me out, I show my appreciation by doing something in return for them. For example, the art teacher has helped me out, so I am taking her recess duty so that she can get some work done. I think when we help each other out it raises the school's positivity.
I help cover classes during my prep a lot when teachers have to leave for appointments and such at the end of the day. I honestly tell them that it's no big deal, but many of them will get me a coffee or a candy bar to show their appreciation.
I think it is important to verbalize your appreciation as well as show your appreciation by either paying it forward and helping someone else or even helping that colleague or community member in return. When we are all helping one another and showing our appreciation the culture of our school/community will become that much more of a positive environment.
I show my appreciation by saying thank you a lot. If I am responding to an email, I say thank you and add greatly appreciated. I tell kids that I appreciate what they are saying so listening is so important to me and the kids. I also congratulate kids on their accomplishments like all state band, chorus, athletics. Just showing your appreciation for jobs well done I think is so important for kids to be recognized.
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ReplyDeleteStudents: I show appreciation by thanking them for doing what they need to be doing and reenforcing their positive behaviors.
Colleagues/Administration: I always tell the people that I work with thank you and I appreciate everything that they do to help me as well. Being a positive face and always willing to help those around me. Sometimes I will cover recess duties for others or cover classes if they need assistance and always try to be a welcoming face within our school.
Parents: I try to make as many positive connections with parents as I can. Sometimes I feel that parents only hear the bad, but it changes when they hear the good and they can relax and not be ready for the "same" call again and again.
If others know that you appreciate them, they are going to be willing to help you out as well, because they know that you will always try your best to what you can. This job can sometimes be thankless as well and I think it helps boosts morale with staff if you acknowledge what they are doing isn't going unnoticed.
Showing appreciation to 8th grade special education students that I teach can be both meaningful and motivating when it is personalized. One effective way is to recognize each student individually for their unique strengths and progress. This might include writing short handwritten notes, giving verbal praise, or awarding certificates that highlight effort, improvement, kindness, or perseverance. When students feel seen for who they are and what they’ve accomplished—rather than being compared to others—it builds confidence and encourages continued growth.
ReplyDeleteAnother impactful way I show appreciation is by offering choice-based reward activities. Allowing students to select from a few enjoyable options, such as playing games, listening to music, drawing, or watching a short video, gives them a sense of control and ownership. This approach for me, not only makes the reward more engaging but also supports independence and decision-making skills. When appreciation feels genuine and tailored to their preferences, students are more likely to feel valued and motivated.
Appreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteSince my students are 3-5 years of age and are on IEP's most of my appreciation I give them is through touch and smell. I give my students hugs each day upon arrival at school and usually throughout the day after working with them on a skill individually. (with this hug comes words such as "good job", "you worked so hard", etc) I also do Happy Chappy's with my students if they have worked really hard as a class. A Happy Chappy is scented ChapStick that I swipe across their hand. They LOVE smelling the different scents I have and it moisturizes their hands and doesn't fall off like a sticker.
With my parents, I try to send home a SeeSaw message once a week to let them know positive gains I am seeing with their child. 4 times a year I send home a Postcard that praises their child for something they have done or gains they have made. If I ask parents to send something to school, I always send them a short "thank you" note through SeeSaw.
When administration comes to my classroom, I send them an email thanking them for stopping in and checking in on my class. We don't get a lot of people stopping in so when I do I want them to know that I appreciate it A LOT!
With colleagues, I make sure I say "thank you" to them if they help me out with my students. We are all very busy but I need to get better about telling them "positive" things I see them doing with the students as well.
I have a few parents that send me "thank you" notes saying things like: our child is learning so much, he/she is so excited to go to school, he/she loved the activity you did today, etc. I will admit this study will be good for me because I usually don't reply like I should according to Chapter 3.
Our Early Childhood Special Education Department use to be a very close group that helped each other out and worked together. As we have gotten a lot more students that feeling of a group that is there for you has dissolved. After reading these first 3 chapters, I'm going to try very hard to be considerate of their caseload/students, personal life, motivate them when they seem to be struggling and show appreciation for the hard work they are doing.
After reflecting on the reading, I know that I can do a better job of showing appreciation to those around me. One simple act that I could implement would be to reply to emails from my colleagues with a simple, “thank you - I appreciate you” rather than hitting the “like” button. I know that I need to tell my students that I appreciate them when they meet expectations throughout the class period. I could also send more positive emails home to parents, letting them know that their children are meeting or exceeding expectations and that I appreciate and recognize the hard work that has been put in to raise a child.
ReplyDeleteAppreciation: Kim Bearden states,” Appreciation has power - power to transform perspective, power to uplift and inspire, and power to initiate change.” How do you show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members? What are some ways in which these individuals have shown appreciation towards you? Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. How can you help create a culture of appreciation within your school and within your community?
ReplyDeleteI try to show appreciation to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and/or community members because it helps to create spaces where people feel valued. I show appreciation to my students by recognizing their hard work. Most of the time the recognition is simply telling them how proud I am of the hard work they put in or at other times it is an email. I make a point to share appreciation to students that do well as well as those that are working hard even if they are not scoring well. I feel by showing my appreciation, students are more willing to continue working hard. I show appreciation to the parents I work with by expressing my appreciation of their support at home. I show appreciation to my colleagues and administrators by acknowledging their work and thanking them for support that they provide me. There are times when it seems hard to find time to express my appreciation to students, parents, staff, and administration, but it is important to find the time.
These individuals have shown me appreciation too. Students have shown their appreciation via words of appreciation, thank you cads, etc. Parents have shown me appreciation via emails and conversations. Teachers and administration have shown me appreciation via emails, conversations, small gifts, etc.
Creating a culture of appreciation is not a one-time event. It must be common practice, practiced consistently. I can help create a culture of appreciation by making appreciation regular practice in my interactions with student, parents, staff, and administration. When appreciation become part of the culture, everyone benefits - relationships become stronger, trust grows, and individuals feel valued, supported, and motivated to contributed to the school and community environments.
I absolutely agree with this statement. Appreciation is very necessary and so easy to give. I say "thank you" very often to most people I encounter in my day. This can be the school custodian-thanking them for keeping our school so clean or the telling the student that held the door for me while I had my hands full "I appreciate that". I try to be intentional about this in my personal life as well, with my family members and those in the community. I think showing appreciation or gratitude goes a long way. The wider culture of appreciation can be spread by having many models showing others how appreciation can be shown. I always prompt my grandchildren when they tell me something their parents did for them to say "thank you". Never to young to learn appreciation nor too old to stop being appreciative!
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