While I was writing a post about PRINCIPALS- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SCHOOL MORALE, I thought of an idea. I should do a survey on my social media to get other teachers to chime in and I am glad I did. The collection from my social media truly makes my heart smile to see there are so many remarkable principals out there! Check them out!

MY PRINCIPAL:

  • LISTENS. (I heard this one over and over.)
  • Stops by to see if I need a bathroom break. (We all know this is a wonderful thing!)
  • At the beginning of the year she had us all write down why we are teachers and what keeps us going. Later in the year when I had a bad day, she put my note in my box as a reminder. It showed us that she really PAYS ATTENTION to us!
  • Constantly reminds me that FAMILY IS FIRST and personally helps out when needed!
  • Offered to drive me to my doctors appointment.
  • Realized my family was struggling when my husband lost his job and we had a 3 month old. She bought us a holiday meal.
  • Laminates my things without me asking.
  • Gives us the GIFT OF TIME. Every chance she gets. Greatest gift of all!
  • Does daily drawings for teachers to win prizes.
  • Allows us to pick a day close to the holidays to leave school early and covers our class for us.
  • Announced my adoption to the entire school in celebration!
  • Leaves POSITIVE NOTES with compliments (I keep them all).
  • When I felt sick at school, my principal told me “I got you” and held a cold compress to my head.
  • Drove to my house to drop off cookies.
  • Covered my duty for a break during teacher appreciation week.
  • Supported me (WITHOUT JUDGMENT) when I struggled with technology this year.
  • Checks up on me in the classroom when she has many other classroom that she could be helping. She is amazing!
  • Every year, the day before Christmas break, he would bring his griddle to school, put on an apron, and make the entire staff pancakes.
  • TRUSTED my professional judgement.
  • Continues to help me improve because they want to see me be the best teacher I can. Didn’t make a rookie teacher feel worse when she was crying.
  • She dropped what she was doing to help read aloud to two of my students who needed help during testing. I love my principal to pieces.
  • Makes my students feel VALUED.
  • Didn’t hesitate to offer to drive 45 minutes to pick me up and drive me to the hospital.
  • Actually listens and visits our classroom because she enjoys it.
  • Gave the entire school double recess so all teachers could have an extra planning period.
  • Tells the staff they are the CREAM OF THE CROP.
  • Put together date nights for me and my husband as a wedding gift.
  • Put a card in my box telling me good qualities of mine that she APPRECIATED.
  • As a new mom, my principal let me pick up my son and bring him back to school. He slept while I continued to work.
  • Wrote me a note of APPRECIATION and recognized that teaching online is difficult..I really needed the BOOST.
  • Hired my husband to paint her house even though she didn’t need it because she knew we were struggling.
  • SUPPORTED and stood up for me when a parent attempted to speak against me.
  • Shows up at my door each year to tell me how much she wants me to return the next school year and personally hands me my contract.
  • Put a sticky note on each teacher’s desk one evening with something she loves about us.
  • Let us go out to lunch on teacher appreciation.
  • TREAT US LIKE PROFESSIONALS. Agree with our judgement. Refreshing!
  • Takes the time to listen. Has a way to make you feel better. Has a heart for children and truly cares about her teachers.
  • She found out my favorite treat and brought me it.
  • Doesn’t judge and will ASSIST you in any way she can.
  • Comes by regularly and just asks how I am and if I need anything. Stayed with the kids to give me a break after an observation.
  • Listened and CHECKED IN on me through personal hard times.
  • Visited my classroom often and asked for my advice. A principal that NOTICED and cared.
  • Always giving us food!
  • Trusted me to make decisions that were right for my kids, even when they were a little bit out there.
  • The gift of time. She takes our students for extra recess so we can get things done.
  • Sent handwritten Christmas cards to our parents thanking them and told them what a great job we are doing.
  • Humor: Brought me a succulent with a note that said, “This year sucked!”
  • Offers ADVICE.
  • Is a mentor.
  • Held my hair when, put a cold compress on my neck, and held the garbage can when I vomitted in her office.
  • She picked me up when my car died on the way to school.
  • Makes me feel like an EQUAL!
  • When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, she was the first to sign up for a meal. She even watched my kids before school on doctor days reminding me that family comes first.
  • When I was quarantined and didn’t plan on being home for Thanksgiving, he brough us a cooked turkey.
  • IS CONSIDERATE AND THOUGHTFUL. Gift of time. Each of us could pick a day and leave early. She taught the class, and did our car duty that day.

These compassionate gestures are from incredible principals in our schools and teachers notice and appreciate them! I know there are many more wonderful things principals do for their teachers! You are welcome to email us and share your experience. We will be happy to add it to the list!

Keep rockin’!