Tag Archives: teachers

May 30, 2024 · 3:27 PM

Top Five Recommended “Musts” to Ensure Teachers Feel Valued Before the Summer Pause

It is an exciting time, but this season of transition can be chaotic and often stressful for faculty, staff, students, and parents. A little bit of grace this time of year goes a long way.

When I was a school leader, I used to tell my staff that the end of the year was a time for putting on the “red shoes”…making sure to leave home needs at home and embracing each day with purpose; we are called to be the difference. Retention data shows that it is important now more than ever to ensure that all stakeholders end the year on a high note.

A school climate affects teacher satisfaction, morale, and expectations about staying in the profession (Garcia & Weiss, 2019). A high percentage of teachers do not feel appreciated, and this feeling can have an impact on their choice of staying or leaving the classroom. It would be beneficial for society to remember that teaching remains an extraordinarily noble profession with intrinsic rewards that few other disciplines experience (Vocke & Foran, 2017). There are many ways to show teachers support. Below are my five recommended “musts” to finish the school year strong, ensuring teachers feel valued.

Top Five Recommended “Musts” to Ensure Teachers Feel Valued Before the Summer Pause

  1. Handwritten Thank-You Notes: Write personalized notes to each teacher, highlighting specific contributions and expressing sincere gratitude. Encourage faculty and staff to write anonymous notes to one another. Positive energy is synergistic!
  2. Public Acknowledgment: Use school newsletters, social media, and assemblies to publicly recognize and celebrate teachers’ achievements and dedication. Use these last few weeks of school to promote and share the good that has happened on your school campus. Sharing the good can change a school’s culture.
  3. Classroom Resources: Provide teachers with additional resources or gift cards for classroom supplies as a token of appreciation and to ease their financial burden as they begin to plan this summer for the upcoming school year.
  4. Professional Development Stipends: Offer a stipend or provide a gift card for summer professional development courses, or educational reading materials, indicating investment in their continued growth.
  5. End-of-Year Celebration: Host a celebratory event to honor teachers’ hard work and achievements throughout the year. Include awards or small gifts to show appreciation. Have a discussion on the theme for the upcoming school year to help give direction (which will reduce stress) in helping teachers plan over the summer.

Give your team permission to put an “out of office” message on their email for a period of time to spend with family and friends, recharging so they can be all they are called to be for the upcoming school year. Building in a “time to pause” into one’s daily schedule, will allow teachers to come back to campus more creative, energized, and ready to accomplish team initiatives for the new school year.

Photo Credit: Anna Quattrone, Director of Marketing and Enrollment

Ultimately, it is essential to never underestimate the importance on greeting your faculty and staff as they begin the school day, providing an encouraging word or smile, and making sure your team members feel seen and heard. Teachers choose to serve in schools where they feel welcomed and appreciated.

Regardless of the time of year, it is always a good idea to thank a teacher for choosing to teach!

May the last few weeks of school be filled with joy and peace!

Denise

Denise Ball, Ed.D.

Recommended Reading

Carver-Thomas, D., & Darling-Hammond, L. (2019). “The Trouble with Teacher Turnover: How Teacher Attrition Affects Students and Schools.” Education Policy Analysis Archives, 27(36).

Garcia, J. R., & Weiss, N. (2019). Challenging working environments “school climates”,  especially in high-poverty schools, play a role in the teacher shortage. Economic Policy  Institute. Retrieved from https://www.epi.org/publication/school-climate-challenges affect-teachers-morale-more-so-in-high-poverty-schools-the-fourth report-in-the-perfect storm-in-the-teacher-labor-market-series/

Kraft, M. A., Papay, J. P., Charner-Laird, M., Johnson, S. M., Ng, M., & Reinhorn, S. K. (2020). “Educator Work Environments and Teacher Effectiveness: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study of Teaching Assignments.” Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 42(3), 436-460.

Podolsky, A., Kini, T., Bishop, J., & Darling-Hammond, L. (2019). “Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Educators: What Does the Evidence Say?” Education Policy Analysis Archives, 27(38).

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January 21, 2024 · 7:21 PM

A Positive School Climate=STRONG Teacher Retention

In the midst of teacher discernment, where educators contemplate the decision to stay or leave the classroom at the end of the school year, the role of school leaders becomes pivotal in shaping the trajectory of teacher retention. Investing time in building and maintaining a positive school culture emerges as a crucial strategy for retaining teachers. The impact of teachers on society is emphasized in research, underscoring the need for schools to promote this message as part of their teacher retention efforts (Dutta & Sahney, 2016). Examining the interconnected dynamics of climate, teacher retention, and the leadership’s role in fostering a positive environment is paramount.

Studies, such as those conducted by Malinen & Savalainen (2016), highlight the significant influence of a teacher’s perceived school climate on job satisfaction, burnout, and self-efficacy. The pervasive issue of teacher stress, compounded by the challenges of the pandemic, further emphasizes the importance of a positive school climate in contributing to teachers’ mental health and overall well-being (Gray et al., 2017; Alexander et al., 2020). As teachers grapple with physical and emotional burnout, creating a supportive and positive work environment becomes imperative for retention and education’s overall effectiveness.

The National School Climate Center (2019) defines a school’s climate as the quality and character of school life, reinforcing the idea that schools are mirrors of the societal landscape (Katz & Donohoo, 2022). In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Psychological Association advocates for reflection on the psychological factors at play in education (Bouffard, 2022). Encouraging curiosity and fostering inclusive school climates that respect diverse voices and viewpoints are suggested strategies for school leaders to navigate the complexities teachers face (Bouffard, 2022). As a member of a team that serves in schools, how do you contribute to providing and enhancing the positive energy in your school that is essential for student learning? A smile and a kind word go a long way!

Educational leaders play a pivotal role in improving school climate by maximizing the school team and community attributes (Hu et al., 2019). The polarization and division in society, as evidenced by recent Pew Research Center studies (Dimock & Wike, 2021), contribute to the challenges teachers encounter. Therefore, understanding and addressing these external factors become integral to the school’s overall climate and teacher retention efforts.

As we navigate changes in education, it is crucial for educational leaders to listen attentively to educators’ concerns about their working conditions (Goldstein, 2019). Supporting current educators is not only an immediate necessity but also serves as a vital stopgap in retaining qualified professionals within our schools.

The investment in a positive school culture by school leaders is not merely an option but a strategic imperative for addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by teachers contemplating their continued commitment to remain in the classroom or the profession as a whole. Creating an environment where respect, encouragement, learning, and curiosity are practiced in words and action is synergistic.

When we train our eyes to see the good, amazing things happen…may we strive to CHOOSE to share the good!

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

Author’s Note: This blog post uses direct excerpts from an original dissertation publication in its entirety. Please use the following citation when referencing this work:

Ball, Denise M. (2023). Improving Teacher Retention Within Archdiocese of Washington Schools. Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5006. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5006

References

Bouffard, S. (2022). Professional learning can lead us to common ground. The Learning

Professional, the Learning Forward Journal. https://doi:learningforward.org/journal/building-community-vided-world/professional-learning-can-lead-us-to-common-ground/

Dimock, M. and Wike, R. (2021). America is exceptional in its political divide. Trust

Magazine. https://DOI:www.pewtrusts.org/en/trust/archive/winter-2021/america-is-

exceptional-in-its-political-divide

Dutta, V. & Sahney, S. (2016), School leadership and its impact on student achievement: The

mediating role of school climate and teacher job satisfaction. International Journal of Education Management, 30(6), 941-958. https://doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1108/IJEM-12-2014-0170

Goldstein, D. (2019). In 13 years of educating reporting, so much has changed. New York Times. https://doi:www.nytimes.com/2019/01/30/reader-center/in-13-years-of-education reporting-so-much-has-change

Gray, C., Wilcox, G., & Nordstokke, D. (2017). Teacher mental health, school climate, inclusive education, and student learning: A review. Canadian Psychology, 58(3), 203-210.

Hu, B., Li, Y., Wang, C, Reynolds, B. & Wang, S. (2019). The relation between school climate and preschool teacher stress: The mediating role of teachers’ self-efficacy. Journal of Educational Administration, 57(6).

Katz, S. & Donohoo, J. (2022). How to achieve collective efficacy in time of division. The

Learning Professional, 43 (2), 20-23

Malinen, O. & Savalainen, H. (2016). The effect of perceived school climate and teacher efficacy in behavior management on job satisfaction and burnout: A longitudinal study. Teaching and Teacher Education, 60, 144-152.

Author’s Note: This blog post uses direct excerpts from an original dissertation publication in its entirety. Please use the following citation when referencing this work:

 Ball, Denise M. (2023). Improving Teacher Retention Within Archdiocese of Washington Schools. Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5006. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5006

                 Copyright © 2023 Denise Marie Ball

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December 28, 2023 · 9:31 AM

Christmas Ornaments, Teachers, and a Grateful Heart

Positive teacher-student relationships are invaluable, leaving a lasting impact on the social, emotional, and academic growth of young individuals (National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, 2023). The significance of these connections became even more apparent during a recent Christmas tree decorating tradition with my adult, college-age children. As they carefully placed each ornament, I paused to listen, as the room echoed with stories from their school days – tales of teachers, friends, and the memories encapsulated in each unique ornament. Through the laughter and sharing of these special memories, I was reminded on the profound role educators play in shaping the narrative of a child’s life.

 

Listening to my children reminisce about the ornaments and share their favorite memories of teachers, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the dedicated educators who had left an indelible mark on their lives. The seemingly simple ornaments became cherished treasures, representing the countless hours teachers invest in lesson planning and the thoughtful crafting of activities to impart values of faith, family, and tradition. These efforts, though perhaps overlooked in the moment, plant seeds of lasting memories that endure far beyond the classroom.

 

In my own educational journey, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with remarkable educators. As both a mother and a colleague, I extend heartfelt appreciation to all those who choose to serve in the classroom. Your commitment and passion make a profound difference in the lives of the students and parents entrusted to your care.

YOU make a difference and the seeds you plant today continue to grow for a lifetime…thank you!

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February 8, 2011 · 12:20 AM

Reading/Literacy Grant Sources Part II…Our Recommendation=Have a Grant Writing Party Once a Month

  1. A.     Target

Early Childhood Reading Grants

Reading is essential to a child’s learning process. That’s why Target awards grants to schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations to support programs such as after-school reading events and weekend book clubs. Together we’re fostering a love of reading and encouraging children, preschool through third grade, to read together with their families.

Early childhood reading grants are $2,000. Grant applications are typically accepted between March 1 and April 30 each year, with grant notifications delivered in September.  Submit application online: www.target.com/grants    

  1. B.     AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award

This award recognizes and hopes to encourage collaboration and partnerships between school library media specialists and teachers in meeting educational goals outlined in Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning through joint planning of a program, unit, or event in support of the curriculum and using media center resources. www.ala.org

  1. C.    AASL Innovative Reading Grant

Established in 2006, the $2,500 AASL Innovative Reading Grant supports the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for children which motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers. www.ala.org

  1. D.    Adopt-A-Classroom Grants

Teachers who register at the Adopt-a-Classroom web site can be adopted by an individual, a business, or a foundation. Once adopted, teachers will receive $500 worth of credit to purchase items that enrich the learning environment, including classroom technology. Teachers help solicit their own sponsors by downloading and distributing fliers within their community or by sending out a personalized, pre-written email from the Adopt-a-Classroom web site. Every donor receives information about the classroom it has adopted, including an itemized list of what teachers bought so donors can see the impact of their donation. (This sounds SO cool!) www.adoptaclassroom.org

  1. E.     Braitmayer Foundation Grants

The Braitmayer Foundation supports programs that enhance the education of K-12 students through curricular and school reform initiatives, professional development for teachers, and local community efforts. Its grants, which range in size up to $35,000, are to be used as seed money, challenge grants, or to match other grants to the recipient organization. www.braitmayerfoundation.org

  1. F.     Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards

To honor innovative individuals who have made major contributions to transform K-12 learning in and out of the classroom, the cable industry\’s education foundation has launched the Cable\’s Leaders in Learning Awards. The competition is open to any individual working in U.S. communities who can demonstrate innovative practices or policies that have had an impact on K-12 education. Twelve winners will be selected in four categories. The nomination period opens Oct. 1. 2011  www.leadersinlearningawards.org (This organization is on break for 2010, but their site is a good resource to pick from when writing other grants.)

  1. G.    Computers for Learning

Through its Computers for Learning program, the federal government has placed hundreds of thousands of surplus computers in schools across the country on a needs-first basis. Schools register and request equipment on the Computers for Learning web site, and federal agencies match their surplus equipment to schools with those needs. Most, but not all, of the available computers are Windows-based PCs rather than computers made by Apple. Most of the donated machines are older models, but as the government continues to upgrade its computer systems, the number of surplus Pentium computers will sharply increase. www.computersforlearning.gov

Thank you for all you do in the life of a child!

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things!

Denise

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