It’s no secret that teachers are truly the backbone of society. We are the knowledgeable, creative, innovative role models our students need and we dedicate countless hours to creating a better community for future generations.
We know this. Our leaders know this. Our communities know this.
And yet...
And with 3.6 million teachers in the US, that means >2.5 million have gone without any recognition for their hard work and dedication to their students.
The bottom line is - teachers aren’t getting the recognition and appreciation they deserve. But, most people don’t realize the true impact that a simple act of recognition can have on a teacher, school, district, and community.
Teacher recognition matters as it supports, validates, and encourages educators to continue doing what they do best—engaging and enriching students’ lives.
For teachers, recognition isn’t just about ego or accolades. It motivates us to continue the pursuit of excellence. A simple acknowledgment from someone we respect is often exactly what we need to push ourselves and our students to reach our collective potential.
But don’t take it from me - researchers from the International Journal of Academic Research found that when teachers receive consistent recognition from administrators, they gain a “deep sense of belonging, boost in morale, and increase in overall happiness.”
Given all that we are going through, that all sounds pretty nice :)
For school leaders, acknowledging hard-working, talented teachers is an easy win. When teachers feel that they are valued, they are more productive, receive higher satisfaction scores from students/parents, and - they are more likely to stay.
In fact, a study conducted by the International Journal of Academic Research found a direct correlation between teacher recognition/appreciation and teacher retention rate. Regular praise for hard work “significantly enhanced teacher loyalty to the school and increased the number of teachers who wanted to return the following year.”
On top of that - Gallup research found that regular recognition for doing good work has a “direct influence on the key performance measures that we use to evaluate our schools.”
In a world where 46 out 50 US states are reporting teacher shortages, knowing that just recognizing teachers can not only improve teacher retention but also improve performance seems like a no-brainer.
For teachers who want to be recognized - I mean, you can’t force your instructional coach to give you a standing ovation. However, there are several simple ways that you can position yourself to receive the praise you need to succeed.
You are the master of your craft - it’s time to show off the skills that make you unique:
Check it out - 8 Cutting Edge Teaching Techniques Reshaping Education
Check it out - Demonstrating a Growth Mindset (Teachers)
For school leaders who want to recognize their teachers - If you’re a school leader, you probably remember what it felt like to have your efforts go unnoticed. It’s no secret that life as an administrator is overwhelming (to say the least!) - but there are many simple ways that you can cultivate a positive and supportive environment that energizes your teachers to be their very best.
While it’s obvious that showing gratitude and appreciation for teachers is crucial, many schools and districts are still falling short. No matter what school role you play, don’t underestimate the power of a simple “thank you” or “great job.”
I think we can all agree that recognizing teachers should go far beyond Teacher Appreciation Week :)
Because when teachers come first, students win...and teachers stay.