my version of transparent, collaborative leadership...with a Teamann twist

Kick off January with #oneoword2019 and other activities with your class/campus!

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We get back to doing what we get to do on Monday. Our staff has a day of in-service and while the bulk of our day will be spent in planning, both vertically and as grade level teams, we do have a time set aside for us to come together as a staff and do a few fun things.

 

First, Stefanie MConnell over at Principal Principles had a great activity to make a wish for the new year involving glitter, which is always a win! Added fireworks and viola! We’re ready to make a wish as a campus and I literally am so excited about glittermagedon. Stefanie is a great follow and has plenty of inspiration for campus leaders!

 

Second, we’re going to talk about our #oneword2019 as a staff and the power of living life with intention. Darren Hardy wrote an AMAZING book called “The Compound Effect” where he talks about the impact little, inconsequentially, daily choices can have on the rest of our lives. Choosing to focus on one word can help remind us of our path and re-center us as we need it. I made bookmarks that we’ll hand out an hopefully, will become a visual reminder as we go through our semester. Download your copy here!

 

If you’re looking for a great book to kick off your new year with a purpose, his is a great one!

 

Lastly, we’ll have a toast…with ACTUAL TOAST, hahahahaha! I’m bringing all kinds of breads, butters, jams, and jellys! 🙂 We’ll have orange juice and toast to the new year together…I can’t wait! #snackiesnacks

 

 

I hope that your break was full of all your favorite things and you’re as ready to get back to work as I am. I have missed all my Wolves, the small and the tall! 🙂

 

Proud principal &

 

Looking for a seasonal thank you note? Here ya go!

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It’s that time of year where we may be inundated with gifts of thoughtfulness, and I try my hardest to get thank you notes written for each one! I went digging on Teachers Pay Teachers today, and thankfully, found several FREE ones that met my needs! I thought I’d save you the hunt and share with you here!

 

Free Holiday Thank you Notes from Fourth Grade Frenzy

Holiday Thank you Notes from Sailing into Second

Holiday Thank you Notes from Maureen Prezioso

 

 

Happy thanking!

 

 

Note writing &

 

 

 

Three ways to celebrate your staff in December at three different price points, plus a free download!

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I love the holiday season. I love shopping for the perfect gift, at the perfect price, for the perfect “OH!” when they open it. I love celebrating my big Wolves and my small Wolves.

I’ve done big things for my staff and some smaller type of things. Things that are all drawn out, and things that take just a few minutes, or few dollars. Things that mean a lot or simple things that are tokens of appreciation. #ALLTHETHINGS, y’all.

 

 

 

As a principal, who is on a budget, both at school AND at home…I have to be conscious of how/why/what I choose to purchase.

If you’re wondering what to do or how to even get started, oh administrator friend of mine, first join this Facebook Group where, literally, all we are talking about is the holidays and celebrating your staff for the holidays.

 

Then, scroll on down for gifts that anyone can handle, regardless of your budget… some of our favorite things…at three different price points!

 

FREE (or on da’cheap!)

12 Days Of Christmas

Here are several of my variations on the 12 days leading up to Christmas break. You can pack these full of free things like wear jeans, or workout gear, or school colors…and throw in coffee bars, popcorn bars, or other snackie snacks. Easy, peasey.

12 days, 1

12 days, 2

12 days, 3

12 days, 4

(Side note: I’ve also done 12 days of GIVING, where we shared acts of kindness!)

 

Really cheap! (and a free printable!)

Who doesn’t need a good package of chapstick? Just a cute tube with an attached note and you have a PRACTICAL, albeit cheap, gift for all, male or female!  Amazon sells 72 lil’tubes for $29.99. That’s a bargain!

Then attach this cute tag and viola! You can add your signature using any kind of graphics editor, like Canva, picMonkey, or an app like Over, Typorama, or my favorite, Word Swag. (yes that costs $4.99 and yes, it’s worth it!)

 

(download your copy here!)

 

Still cheaper than say, a new car for everyone!

  • Stock the fridge with all their faves! (Starbucks Mocha Lattes were a HUGE hit! Any fun snacks, drinks, pudding cups, etc We filled ours up for less $150!)
  • Flair pens for all! (Buy packs and break them apart and give each teacher 2/3 pens…and wish them a Flair-y Merry Christmas!)
  • Beanie hats for all! You can add vinyl to these with a cricut/silhouette, or purchase in your school colors. We found some and had our logo added at a local embroidery shop for our staff last year and they LOVED them!

 

If your team is anything like mine, they will love any effort you give them. We meet as a PLC grade level team each Wednesday and the Wednesday before we get out for the Christmas break and we just sit and eat holiday snacks and chat. We play Christmas music by the fire. It doesn’t take much, just some free time and no stress…you also can’t go wrong with the gift of TIME.

 

 

How do you show your seasonal spirit? Share in the comments!

 

festively and

Motivating staff in the winter doldrums! #FabFridays for 2018!

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We’re all feeling the blahness here in Texas…multiple weeks of cold weather…we just can’t handle it!

Spring break is HOW  many weeks away??

HOW many assessments do we have coming up?

We like to joke that October and February are like the armpits of the school year. Not a lot to look forward to, but LOTS to make us all tired and sweaty!

 

Brighten your campus with some FUN FRIDAYS to look forward too! Fab Fridays in February have become something I look forward to each year, instead of dreading this long month of cold days. Check out what we’ve done in previous years as well! (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017). Some are cheaper and easier than others…it just depends on who you have around to help you , or if you have any budget money available.

 

My PIC Melinda Miller and I have Facebook group completely dedicated to administrators and staff appreciation/motivation ideas. If you’re an administrator (at any level!) join the fun and share what you do to keep your climate & culture healthy and happy!

The only thing we talk about are ways to celebrate and lift up your hard-working teachers and coworkers. From counselors week to staff appreciation gifts, there are a lot of people doing awesome things and we’re sharing that we can! It’s already 1100 admin strong, so come join the party!

 

 

What will YOU be doing for Fab Fridays in February?  Even just one or two fun activities to look forward to will make a difference!

 

 

 

 

PS: If you can’t get this pulled together for February? Try Marvelous Mondays in March!