A couple of days ago, I was listening to Dave Ramsey's EntreLeadership podcast. The day's lesson was how important it is for leaders to recognize and appreciate their team members and employees. The guest speaker, Chris Hogan, suggested that the best way to increase productivity, loyalty and postive attitudes is to encourage and inspire employees, recognizing them for the work they do. He quoted that "encouragement is the oxygen for the soul" and it is as important to our well being as the air we breathe. He introduced the acronym: AIR which stands for Appreciation, Inspiration and Recognition. Now, he was aiming his podcast toward small and large business owners, but I found that this idea could also be used in the classroom.
Appreciation
It is very easy for a teacher to feel under-appreciated. With the overload of planning, grading, standards, testing and more, sometimes we just need a hug! But what about our students? Shouldn't we thank them for getting up and coming to school each day? For completing their homework? For sharing ideas during a class discussion? For helping out in the classroom? Sometimes teachers (myself included) feel like WE are the ones who need the thank you, but we can't forget to also thank our students. They need to know that WE appreciate THEM! How are you showing appreciation for the students in your classroom?
Inspiration
Our students need to be inspired. They need to know that the reason they come to school everyday serves a higher purpose in their lives. As teachers, we get to be that inspiration! We are the ones who can inspire and encourage our students to do great things and become great adults. What are you doing in your classroom that is inspiring children?
Recognition
Everyone needs to be recognized for the work they do and we need to recognize our students for the growth they make each year. Some students will not pass the state testing, but does that mean they are failures? No way! They may not have reached the goal set by the state, but chances are they HAVE made progess and are working hard in the classroom. We can recognize students for where they are and the progress they have made. We can let them know that hard work, and not just a test score, is also a measure of success. How will you recognize your students each day?
As my blog title suggests, we all need some AIR, so don't forget to appreciate, inspire and recognize the people who work with you. Your grade level teams, PLCs, co-workers and office staff all contribute to a well-functioning school. By increasing the AIR in your school environment, you might just make it a better place!
Share the ways in which you appreciate, inspire and recognize students and staff at your school! I'd love to have this conversation with you!
*To hear more business lessons from Dave Ramsey and his team, click here.
Appreciation
It is very easy for a teacher to feel under-appreciated. With the overload of planning, grading, standards, testing and more, sometimes we just need a hug! But what about our students? Shouldn't we thank them for getting up and coming to school each day? For completing their homework? For sharing ideas during a class discussion? For helping out in the classroom? Sometimes teachers (myself included) feel like WE are the ones who need the thank you, but we can't forget to also thank our students. They need to know that WE appreciate THEM! How are you showing appreciation for the students in your classroom?
Inspiration
Our students need to be inspired. They need to know that the reason they come to school everyday serves a higher purpose in their lives. As teachers, we get to be that inspiration! We are the ones who can inspire and encourage our students to do great things and become great adults. What are you doing in your classroom that is inspiring children?
Recognition
Everyone needs to be recognized for the work they do and we need to recognize our students for the growth they make each year. Some students will not pass the state testing, but does that mean they are failures? No way! They may not have reached the goal set by the state, but chances are they HAVE made progess and are working hard in the classroom. We can recognize students for where they are and the progress they have made. We can let them know that hard work, and not just a test score, is also a measure of success. How will you recognize your students each day?
As my blog title suggests, we all need some AIR, so don't forget to appreciate, inspire and recognize the people who work with you. Your grade level teams, PLCs, co-workers and office staff all contribute to a well-functioning school. By increasing the AIR in your school environment, you might just make it a better place!
Share the ways in which you appreciate, inspire and recognize students and staff at your school! I'd love to have this conversation with you!
*To hear more business lessons from Dave Ramsey and his team, click here.
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