If teachers found a meme, they brought it to the office and collected the prize that correlated with the number on the back. The last few years I did ‘Find the Meme’ and my teachers loved it! I printed funny teacher memes I found on the internet, wrote a number on the back of them, and hid them around the school. “Hired a massage therapist to give teachers massages throughout the school day and provided coverage.” The students and teachers loved this day! My teachers went all out!!! Some even rented crocs from students to make their look complete. One of the theme days for the week was Dress Like a Student. Note from KE: Last year I created themed dress days for the week. “I had a principal who did drawings for a car wash with volunteers in the parking lot.” “Our principal organized all of the parents to be in the parking lot after school and gave the teachers a round of applause/standing ovation.” It can take a while to order and receive food, and your staff might not have enough time to eat (or miss lunch altogether). While it is a fun and unique idea, unless the food is both premade and prepaid, food trucks aren’t exactly friendly to a school schedule. Note from KE: I know food trucks are popular right now, but I do not recommend them as an option to feed your staff. “My principal actually came and used our kitchen and cooked the taco meat for a nacho bar for the teachers’ lunch!” “One year our principal had lunch brought in and parents came and supervised while we all got a full lunch break together.” “I had a principal who came to every classroom and delivered coffee and donuts.” We could get pancakes, eggs, omelet, bacon, etc., made by the chef.” “Our principal would have someone come in and cook breakfast for us. In the weeks leading up to Teacher Appreciation Week, start putting it in your parent communications, on the marquee, on your daily announcements, etc. Plenty of parents and community members might want to celebrate teachers, but they need to know about it in advance. Note from KE: Be the Teacher Appreciation Week hype person! As building principal, it’s your responsibility to lead the spirit of this week. “He planned a breakfast meeting and invited previous staff to join us. “When I was a student teacher, my cooperating teacher sent a letter to my parents.” This way you can make sure you talk to all of your faculty and staff, not just the ones who initiate contact most often. Think about keeping a list of teachers on your phone or in a binder and track how often you talk to them. Note from KE: This is a wonderful practice, but it can be tricky if you have a large staff. “By consistently speaking to me about my work and her appreciation.” Take this idea to the next level by having students write notes to their teachers, use the binding machine to make them into a book, and present them to your teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Note from KE: Many schools and administration buildings have old binding machines sitting around. “Admin collected anonymous student compliments and compiled them into cute little documents for everyone.” “The English teachers ask students to write notes of thanks.” “One year the admin put signs on all our lawns-no matter how far away we lived-and it was a great surprise.” For a special touch, create note cards with your school logo on card stock. If you have a large staff, think about dividing your staff among your admin team and have your admin team write personal notes. Note from KE: This is time-consuming to do (I know from experience!), but it is more than worth it with the impact the note will make. Parents could also help volunteer and monitor students. Note from KE: This one is great! An assembly would work, or you could plan a talent show, lip sync battle, poetry, slam, etc., to keep the students busy and entertained. “I worked at a school where the principal got all the kids in an assembly with retired teacher volunteers and had a donut truck come deliver while we all got to sit outside and just chill.” “Cancelled PD and gave us planning time.” That was the best Teacher Appreciation perk ever! She had the instructional coaches sub.” “I had a principal that gave every teacher a comp day off. They are rarely, if ever, asked to visit campuses, and in my experience have always been eager to help. Another tip: Ask your district’s business/financial office to help. Your teachers get a much-deserved break, and the district-level employees will gain important perspective working with students at the classroom level. Note from KE: If you like these ideas, think about asking people at the district level (coordinators, directors, etc.) to help cover classes. “Took a week and scheduled a time when he could cover all classes for at least 30 minutes.” “My principal came into my classroom and offered me a break.”
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