Opinion
Recruitment & Retention Letter to the Editor

A Note of Appreciation 

July 12, 2022 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

To the Editor:

I so appreciated Laurie Carr’s essay in the June 8 issue of Education Week and concur with how important it is to appreciate our colleagues (“How to Build a Healthier School Culture”).

Before I retired as a special education administrator, I made a habit of sending a personal thank-you note at the end of the school year to every staff member in my office. In each note, I tried to recount a particular incident that was special.

Also, on Monday mornings, I would email an inspirational or motivational quote just to kick off the week with some positive reflection. If I had to be out of the office on a Monday, several people would let me know they really missed it. This showed me how much my special note was appreciated and needed.

I had a wonderful staff that worked together so cohesively and I think they knew how much I appreciated and valued them, as well.

Terri Cooter
Retired Administrator
Moore, Okla.

A version of this article appeared in the July 13, 2022 edition of Education Week as A Note of Appreciation

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Early Childhood Webinar
How the Science of Reading Elevates Our Early Learners to Success
From the creators of ABCmouse, learn how a solution grounded in the science of reading can prepare our youngest learners for kindergarten.
Content provided by Age of Learning
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
English-Language Learners Webinar
Classroom Strategies for Building EL Students’ Confidence and Success
Fueling success for EL students who are learning new concepts while navigating an unfamiliar language. Join the national discussion of strategies and Q&A.
Content provided by Project Lead The Way
Future of Work Live Online Discussion Seat at the Table: Understanding the Critical Link Between Student Mental Health and the Future of Work
In recent months, there’s been a rallying cry against the teaching of social-emotional skills. Discover why students need these skills now more than ever.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Recruitment & Retention A Dallas Principal Lost a Fifth of Her Teachers. Can She Hire Enough by the First Day?
Principal Rocio Gardea sat at a folding table near the front of the auditorium, shuffling her papers. The pressure was on.
Talia Richman and Meghan Mangrum, The Dallas Morning News
9 min read
Dallas ISD staff hold signs with positions they are looking for during a job fair at Emmett J. Conrad High School in Dallas, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.
Dallas ISD staff hold signs with positions they are looking for during a job fair at Emmett J. Conrad High School in Dallas, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.
Elías Valverde II/Dallas Morning News via TNS
Recruitment & Retention From Our Research Center How Many Teachers Are Retiring or Quitting? Not as Many as You Might Think
An EdWeek Research Center survey found that teacher resignations in the year leading up to August 2022 were only slightly above 2019.
2 min read
Classroom without students. Empty desks
Yue/iStock/Getty
Recruitment & Retention What It Will Take to Recruit Teachers in a Tough Job Market
Job seekers have the upper hand right now. How schools are trying to meet their demands.
4 min read
Image of a job interview.
Pekic/E+
Recruitment & Retention Spotlight Spotlight on Teacher Retention
This Spotlight will help you investigate how schools can hold onto valued staff, learn how to build a healthier school culture, and more.