Walking through the halls of schools, I’m constantly reminded of the magic happening in education. It’s not the schedule changes we navigate each day, or figuring out how to stretch a budget, it’s the people—the teachers, leaders, and coaches—each playing a vital role in shaping the lives of students. Their efforts often go unnoticed or at the very least unappreciated, but as we approach the season of gratitude, I can’t help but reflect on their stories and the incredible impact they have.
In education, we don’t celebrate enough. Amid the relentless pace of the school year, it’s easy to overlook the importance of pausing to show gratitude for one another. What if we made it a priority to acknowledge the incredible work happening within our walls? What if that was part of our school improvement plans?
Gratitude for Teachers
Mrs. Johnson’s classroom feels alive from the moment you step in. Her students aren’t just sitting at their desks waiting for instructions—they’re leaning in and engaging in the prepared warm-up that is connected to the learning target for the day. Then, she posed the question, giving everyone time to think before turning to their partners to discuss. Then, rather than waiting for volunteers, she used “warm calling,” choosing a student she knew had built confidence during the partner discussion. The student hesitated at first but then shared a strategy they’d discussed, and Mrs. Johnson smiled and said, “That’s exactly the kind of thinking mathematicians use. Let’s build on that.” You could see the student sit up just a little taller, and the rest of the class followed with even more energy and focus.
The rest of the lesson was carefully planned to reinforce the skills she had explicitly taught earlier in the week. Mrs. Johnson had set up purposeful workstations, each targeting a specific skill students needed to master. At one station, students were using manipulatives to model word problems, while at another, they worked on whiteboards to solve multi-step equations, explaining their steps to a partner. One group was playing a card game that required quick recall of math facts, turning practice into something fun and engaging. Every activity was intentional—not just busy work, but tasks designed to give students multiple ways to practice and deepen their understanding. What stood out most was how no one could sit back and coast, with Mrs. Johnson monitoring and providing feedback of encouragement and corrections.
It’s teachers like Mrs. Johnson who remind me of the power of instruction to connect, challenge, and inspire. In her classroom, math isn’t just numbers on a page. It’s a way to build confidence, stretch thinking, and show every student that they’re capable of solving big problems. And it’s all thanks to her relentless belief in her students and her commitment to making math accessible and meaningful for everyone. Who is a Mrs. Johnson in your life? Have you thanked a teacher in your building recently?
Gratitude for Leaders
A middle school I’ve worked with for a few years has made incredible strides under the leadership of Mr. K, their principal. When I first began partnering with the school, it was clear that they had a strong desire to improve both student literacy and social-emotional well-being but lacked the systems and alignment to make those goals a reality. Over time, through Mr. K’s leadership, the school has transformed into a place where clarity, collaboration, and progress are at the forefront.
From the beginning, Mr. K worked closely with his leadership team to create a plan rooted in strong multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). Together, they identified two critical priorities: strengthening Tier 1 academic instruction in literacy and establishing consistent social-emotional well-being expectations across all classrooms. They didn’t just set lofty goals—they created an action plan that broke those priorities into specific, measurable steps.
For literacy, the team defined clear Tier 1 instructional expectations, ensuring that every teacher was equipped to deliver high-quality, evidence-based reading and writing lessons. Teachers received ongoing professional learning, collaborative planning time, and coaching support to implement these practices consistently. For social-emotional well-being, the school adopted a set of core expectations for what social-emotional learning should look like in every classroom. These included structured time for teaching emotional regulation, fostering empathy, and building peer relationships—skills that were reinforced daily through intentional classroom activities.
What has always impressed me about Mr. K is how he aligns everyone—teachers, coaches, and the leadership team—around the same goals. During a meeting I attended, he walked teacher teams through the school’s vision for literacy and social-emotional well-being, explaining not only what they were working toward but why it mattered. “This is about creating a foundation where every student feels supported and capable,” he said. “If we’re all clear on the expectations and work together, we can make this happen for every child.”
The follow-through has been just as impressive as the planning. Mr. K and his team regularly meet with teacher teams to review progress, share data, and adjust strategies as needed. For example, when they noticed that some students were still struggling with foundational literacy skills, they revisited their Tier 1 practices to ensure that those students were getting what they needed before interventions were added. Similarly, when teachers expressed challenges in integrating social-emotional learning into their routines, the leadership team provided targeted resources and modeled activities during staff meetings to make the process easier.
One teacher shared with me how this clarity and support changed everything for her. “Before, it felt like we were all just trying to figure things out on our own. Now, we know exactly what’s expected, and we have the tools and the team to make it work. We’re all working together, and it’s making a huge difference for our students.” Have you been lucky enough to have a Mr. K as a leader? Have you thanked your leader for the strengths they bring and the challenges they overcome?
Gratitude for Instructional Coaches
Then there’s Ms. S., the instructional coach at H High School. Her role isn’t in the spotlight—it’s in the quiet moments, side by side with teachers, helping them grow. One day, I watched her co-teach a writing lesson with a new teacher, modeling how to scaffold a challenging essay assignment. After the lesson, they sat together, reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and how the teacher could build on that success in future lessons. It wasn’t just about the one lesson—it was about helping that teacher gain the confidence and tools to continue growing.
Ms. S. has an incredible ability to meet teachers and teacher teams exactly where they are. She knows when to listen, when to guide, and when to push just enough to help them take the next step. I’ve seen her work with a leadership team to set clear, measurable, high-leverage goals that focus on improving outcomes for students, and then help them build a system to monitor progress along the way. She’s also supported a new principal stepping into the building, providing a steady presence and helping align the team’s efforts to create clarity and focus for the entire staff.
What sets Ms. S. apart is her dedication to the entire school community. She works with her leadership team to bring professional learning that directly connects to the school’s goals, ensuring it’s relevant and actionable for teachers. She’s not just about big-picture strategy—she’s in the hallways, greeting students by name, celebrating their successes, and encouraging them when they need it most.
Beyond her work in the classroom, Ms. S. is deeply invested in the life of the school. She goes above and beyond, supporting sports teams, attending club meetings, and cheering on students in everything they do. Her love for the school and district is evident in every interaction, and her commitment inspires those around her to do the same.
Ms. S. isn’t just a champion for growth—she’s a champion for her school. Whether it’s helping teachers refine their craft, supporting leaders in setting a vision, or making sure every student feels seen and valued, she pours her heart into her work every day. It’s coaches like her who remind us how much impact one person can have when they believe in their school, their staff, and their students. Have you been fortunate enough to have an instructional coach? What qualities them exceptional? Do you currently have an instructional coach? If so, when was the last time you thanked them for their support?
How Can We Celebrate Each Other?
Gratitude doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Often, it’s the small, consistent acts of appreciation that mean the most. Here are ideas I have seen in schools that foster a culture of gratitude within your school:
- Create a Shout-Out Wall: Set up a bulletin board in the staff lounge where teachers, leaders, and coaches can leave notes of appreciation for one another. A simple “Thank you for helping me with my math lesson” or “I loved how you handled that tough conversation with parents” can make someone’s day.
- Host a Gratitude Breakfast or Lunch: Dedicate one morning a month for a potluck breakfast or lunch where everyone can come together and celebrate each other’s wins. Use the time to recognize specific contributions, like a teacher who tried a new strategy or a coach who supported a challenging classroom issue.
- Surprise and Delight: Encourage leadership to surprise staff with small tokens of appreciation, like snacks, coffee, or even a quick email saying, “I noticed how you handled that situation today—you’re amazing!” Some schools have started “Sunshine Committees” to organize these efforts and spread positivity throughout the year with snack carts and special treats delivered to classrooms. Use a menu and have teachers select their choices the day before.
- Share Success Stories: Start staff meetings with “Celebrations.” Invite teachers, coaches, and leaders to share a positive moment from the week. Hearing about a breakthrough with a student or a successful lesson inspires everyone and reminds us why we do what we do.
- Give Handwritten Notes: Handwritten notes are deeply personal and meaningful. Whether it’s from a principal to a teacher or a teacher to a coach, taking the time to write a note of thanks shows thoughtfulness. One school kept a stack of blank cards in the lounge to make it easy for staff to write notes to each other.
- Highlight Staff in a Newsletter: Use a school newsletter or email update to spotlight teachers, leaders, and coaches. Include a short blurb about something they did that week to go above and beyond.
- Celebrate Milestones Together: Recognize birthdays, work anniversaries, or even personal milestones like finishing a degree or achieving a professional goal. These moments build camaraderie and show that staff are valued as people, not just professionals.
- Build a Gratitude Chain: Start a gratitude chain by writing something you appreciate about a colleague on a strip of paper. Pass it on, and have them do the same for someone else. Over time, you’ll build a physical reminder of the positive connections in your school. Results in a great decoration for a holiday or celebration.
- Make Time for Fun: Don’t underestimate the power of laughter and relaxation. Organize casual after-school events like trivia nights, potlucks, or even a staff vs. student volleyball game. These moments strengthen bonds and remind us that we’re all in this together.
A Call to Action: A Culture of Gratitude
Gratitude doesn’t just make us feel good—it builds stronger teams, fosters resilience, and reminds us why we’re here. This season, let’s make it a priority to show appreciation for one another.
To the teachers pouring their hearts into every lesson, the leaders carrying the weight of responsibility, and the coaches bridging the gap to growth: thank you.
Let’s celebrate the amazing work happening in our schools and lift each other up. Together, we can create a culture of gratitude that inspires us to keep striving for excellence, one thoughtful act at a time.
We must take care of the teachers, leaders, and coaches that take care of our children
-Debbie
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