Character Connection

Behind Every Great School is a Leader Who Cares Character Connection

Submitted by Capturing Kids’ Hearts

Whether walking the hallways with a smile or affirming a teacher at a staff meeting, campus leaders have an amazing opportunity daily to set the tone and be there for your team. We know that enhancing campus-wide motivation and performance starts with making sure your staff feels connected and equipped, which will have a domino effect on your students. Here are some fun ways to help you demonstrate genuine care and build a more empathetic culture.

Know Your Staff to Grow Your Staff

Understanding what motivates your staff is essential for creating a more positive and productive environment. Consider using a Google Form or Survey Monkey to gather insights about your team. You might ask:

• If I had something positive to say about you, who would you want me to tell?

• How do you like to be motivated?

• What de-motivates you?

• How do you prefer to receive feedback?

• What is one area of your teaching you want to improve?

To encourage participation and make the process more engaging, consider offering fun incentives to early respondents, such as a jeans pass, candy in their box, or a drink delivered to their classroom.

Recognition and Affirmation

How often do you intentionally recognize and affirm your team’s efforts? Publicly acknowledging achievements boosts your team’s morale and encourages improvement. Regular affirmations and personalized praise show that you notice and appreciate their hard work, reinforcing a supportive culture. Consider creating an affirmation station for your staff and setting aside the last few minutes of a staff meeting for team members to write affirmations to one another as their exit ticket.

Implementing these strategies can help cultivate a more empathetic and connected school community. When staff feel understood and valued, they are more motivated and engaged, which positively impacts the entire school. To learn more about how your team can use the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process to build connection and engagement, visit ckh.org.