Every Principal knows that faculty and staff motivation is fundamental to individual performance, group productivity, and maintaining a positive school culture and atmosphere.... but how do you do it? I've compiled the following list to help inspire Administrators and Principals with some fresh ideas.
Here are 20 Ways to Motivate Faculty and Staff (and without spending a lot of money!)
- Give verbal praise:
- In private
- In a team meeting
- In an informal grouping
- During a classroom observation
- In small group conversations in the lunch room
- Say, "Thank you!" Let your teachers know you appreciate them.
- Give teachers the opportunity to showcase student successes, and credit successes back to their teaching style.
- Have fun! Post a sticky note on their door letting them know they are doing a great job.
- Ask their advice whenever you can. Then give credit to them.
- Be friendly. Greet your staff when you see them. Ask how things are going.
- Having doughnuts in the faculty lounge never hurts!
- Ask for suggestions.
- Compliment them on a particular classroom project or student accomplishment.
- Recognize teachers and staff in a newsletter, memo, or other school communication.
- Communicate the achievements of your teachers to other schools in your district. Or to the Superintendent and parents!
- Throw together “Teacher Survival Packs” for back-to-school, finals, or holiday times, stuffed with inexpensive knick-knacks.
- Let staff see you picking up trash in the cafeteria and other day-to-day tasks. Be part of the team!
- Have small fundraisers that raise funds for all-staff banquets or parties. How about a $2 jean day?
- Treat everyone as if they are the most important member of your faculty.
- Give awards and commendations such as a wall plaque, a certificate, or even a blog badge!
- Provide social outlets. Bring people together for potlucks, after-work wine and cheese parties, or put together a picnic. Make a speech about the staff and recognize individual accomplishments.
- Upgrade their technology when you can.
- Hey… fresh coffee isn’t a bad idea either!
- Drop feel-good cards or inexpensive gifts in teachers’ mailboxes.
Do you agree or disagree? What else would you add to my list? Please share your own ideas down below in the comments.
