November is often seen as a season of reflection and thankfulness. For those of us in education, it’s also a natural time to pause and consider the people who keep our schools thriving: our teachers.
Teachers are the heartbeat of every school. Their dedication, creativity, and resilience sustain our students and build the culture of our communities. Yet, teaching has never been more demanding. The weight of responsibilities—from curriculum demands to emotional support for students—can leave educators feeling stretched thin.
That’s why this month, I want to speak directly to my fellow school leaders: November is the perfect time to lean into gratitude as a leadership practice. Showing appreciation for teachers isn’t just a kind gesture—it’s essential for morale, retention, and the long-term health of our schools.
Here are some reflections and practical steps principals can take this November to lead with gratitude.
1. Make Gratitude Visible
Gratitude shouldn’t live only in our thoughts. Teachers need to hear and see it. A handwritten note, a personalized email, or even a sticky note left on a teacher’s desk can make a huge impact.
Consider:
- Writing three handwritten thank-you notes a week throughout November.
- Highlighting a “Teacher of the Day” on the morning announcements, focusing not on test scores but on character, creativity, and impact.
- Creating a gratitude wall in the staff lounge where colleagues can post notes of thanks for one another.
Visible gratitude reminds teachers that their efforts are seen, valued, and worth celebrating.
2. Protect Their Time
One of the most powerful ways we can show appreciation is by giving teachers the gift of time. November often brings heavy grading loads, conferences, and holiday events—making it especially important.
Ideas include:
- Covering a class for 30 minutes so a teacher can have an extended prep.
- Canceling or shortening a nonessential meeting.
- Offering a “Grading Day” or quiet workspace so teachers can focus without interruptions.
Protecting time communicates this message: I respect the demands of your work, and I want to help you manage it well.
3. Recognize Efforts Beyond the Classroom
Teachers don’t just teach content—they sponsor clubs, mentor students, coach sports, and plan events. These contributions often go unnoticed.
This month, take time to:
- Publicly acknowledge staff members who go above and beyond in non-teaching roles.
- Send a personal thank-you for the “invisible” work, like calling parents after hours or decorating a hallway bulletin board.
- Share these stories with parents and the broader school community so recognition spreads beyond the walls of your building.
Recognition affirms that every act of service matters.
4. Foster a Culture of Gratitude
As leaders, we set the tone for our schools. When we practice gratitude openly, it becomes contagious.
Ways to foster this culture:
- Begin staff meetings by inviting everyone to share one thing they are grateful for.
- Provide students with opportunities to write thank-you notes to their teachers, then deliver them as a surprise.
- Encourage peer-to-peer appreciation among staff through shout-outs or spotlight boards.
Gratitude should not flow only from leader to teacher—it should ripple across the entire community.
5. Care for the Whole Teacher
Showing gratitude means recognizing that teachers are more than professionals—they are people with families, interests, and personal needs.
Practical steps:
- Provide coffee, snacks, or a staff breakfast during a busy week.
- Encourage staff to take personal days when needed, without guilt.
- Ask, “How are you doing—really?” and listen with genuine care.
Sometimes the greatest gift a leader can give is empathy.
6. Share Gratitude Beyond the School Walls
Don’t keep the gratitude within your building—broadcast it to the larger community. Parents and families need to hear how much you value your staff.
Ideas include:
- Using newsletters or social media to spotlight teacher achievements.
- Inviting parents to send messages of appreciation during November and compiling them into a “book of thanks” for staff.
- Celebrating teachers at school events with public recognition.
When families and communities see that teachers are cherished, they join in reinforcing that appreciation.
Gratitude is not about grand gestures. It’s about consistent, intentional moments that remind teachers: You are seen. You are valued. You are making a difference.
As principals, we have the privilege and responsibility of shaping the culture of our schools. This November, let’s lead with gratitude—not only because it uplifts our teachers, but because it strengthens our entire educational community.
So, to every leader reading this: take the time. Write the note. Protect the prep period. Share the recognition.
And to our teachers: thank you. This month and every month, your work matters more than words can capture.