Administrative Internship II

Esmeralda PadrónEnedith Silerio

EDUC 6331Instructor: Virginia Leiker, Ed.

D.

Improving School Morale

Presenters: Esmeralda Padrón and Enedith Silerio

School: Crawford/Sherman Elementary

What is school morale?

The ambiance and atmosphere that permeates abuilding when you enter. It’s reflected in the way thestudents greet one another and how teachers interactwith the students, teachers and parents. It’s part of howvisitors feel when they enter the building and staff feelwhen they exit on Friday afternoon. It consists ofthousands of interactions and reactions betweenindividuals as they spend their days together. It’s elusivebut tangible. You know when the morale in a building isgood and when it isn’t.

Why is our school morale so low?

We can see that the school is not what it could be or what it use to be. There is a tenseness inthe air – a sense of apprehension, almost like people are giving in to the pressures that surround them. While no on individual has soleresponsibility for morale, the leader has a keyresponsibility in setting the tone. 

Why is it so important?

• It has a positive effect on pupil attitudes and learning• Makes teaching more pleasant for teachers, but also

learning more pleasant for the students • Creates an environment that is more conducive to learning• Morale and achievement are also related. Ellenberg (1972)

found that "where morale was high, schools showed an increase in student achievement."

• Low levels of satisfaction and morale can lead to decreased teacher productivity and burnout, which is associated with "a loss of concern for and detachment from the people with whom one works, decreased quality of teaching, depression, greater use of sick leave, efforts to leave the profession, and a cynical and dehumanized perception of students" 

What can we do to improve?

Helen Vella from Vella and Associates is a a businessconsultant, coach, trainer and author. She suggests thefollowing:• Treating all employees equally• Make sure workloads are even• Allowing for open communication and making sure

management is approachable.• Avoid overworking employees or making too many

deadlines • Have a suggestion box for employees for their input

Suggestions for Administrators

Suggestions for Administrators

• Once a month have a birthday cake can and acknowledge all birthdays for the month

• Have cake in the teachers lounge with a note - Thank You for being a part of our school.

• Donuts and a note .... Don't you know you are appreciated.... Thanks for working on our team.... 

• Bring in motivational speakers

Small Recognitions

• Wiggly Eyes -Keep an eye on our students to discover how best to help them. Or, for when you wish you had eyes in the back of your head.

• Battery- Like the Energizer Bunny, to help you keep going and going and going.

• Animal Crackers - Eat these when you think your office (classroom) is a zoo.

• Jingle Bell- Ring for help if you need it, we're here to help each other.

• Present - Remember our students are a gift to us.

• Candy Bar - Use this whenever you need a "Sweet Escape".

• Smiley Sticker - Try hard to wear a happy face.

• Snowflake - When all else fails, pray for a snow day.

• Flower Pot - We are here to plant the seeds of knowledge.

• Clothespin - Hang in there!

• Hole Reinforces - Don't forget to reinforce the efforts of each other.

• Pen- You are a priceless part of Crawford/Sherman Elementary.

• An orange -"Orange" you glad you are a part of the best school in Houston!!

Small Recognitions

• ***** M&M Pills for Teachers*****Eat a brown M&M to temporarily calm your cravingfor chocolate

Eat a red M&M at the first sign of meeting overload.

Orange minimizes “Mental Block” during long rangeplanning.

Eat a Green M&M to calm your frustrations whilearranging the room

If you feel a head ache coming on while doing lessonplans eat a yellow M&M. 

Blue M&M’s reduces Bulletin Board fatigue.

Directions: Take as needed. If all symptoms occur at the same

time eat the whole bag. Warning: May cause weight gain.

• *****THE MARBLE STORY*****

A friend of mine once said to me, This marble is for you. For I was sure I had lost all of mine When life became so blue. 

So now I know despite the odds,My marbles may be few But that friend of mine reminded me, Life can be wonderful, too. Now you can have a marble, And only for some fun. So when you think You’ve “lost your marbles”. You know you at least have one!

Small Recognitions

• Gummy Bears.... I can't bear to think what our school would be like without you. You are the greatest teachers. Glad we are on the same team.

• Teacher SeedsKids are like seeds you plant in the soil,Each takes patience nurturing and toil.You are a great teacher. You do your job well planting seeds of knowledge.Just look at us to tell. Now plant these seeds and over each one fuss so they'll grow up bright to remind you of us. 

• Special Treat - Teachers come and teachers go but you are the best I'll ever know! Thanks for always being there...

• Plant - Thanks for helping our students grow! We appreciate all you do....

• A mirror... You are looking at a special teacher.

• Halloween --- Candy pumpkins. Thanks for helping us harvest our potential. 

•7 up -Teacher you add "Sparkle" to our team.

• Watermelon - Jolly Ranchers Teacher you are one in a "Melon"

Small Recognitions

• Hershey Hugs and Kisses - Hugs and Kisses , stars or wishes ... you make me reach for the stars... Thanks for working hard as a team.

• Amazing Fruits- You are amazing when it comes to teaching You are the best teachers. Glad we are on the same team.

• Hot cocoa mix - Teacher you "warm" my heart

• Mints- You "mint" a lot to me You are the best teacher...

• Soup Mix- You are a souper teacher. Glad you are a part of our team....

• Banana Bread- If I could choose my teacher and I searched the whole world through I'd simply go "bananas" trying to find a better group of teachers than you. You are the best of the bunch.....

• M&Ms You are a "Magnificent and Marvelous" teacher. Thanks for being you.

• Life Savers...You are a real "Lifesaver" teacher.... Thanks

• Yard stick- No one measures up to you when it comes to teaching... you are simply the best OR Yards of thanks to you teacher for a job well done. 

• Jar of Jam... Berry Best Teacher.

Suggestions for Faculty Meetings

1. A meeting needs to be beneficial to all attending. Include input from each person and/or grade level. Here is what our meetings can look like.

• Grade levels check in – Sensational Second Graders! The Fantastic Fifth graders are in! Fabulous Fourth graders are here! Etc….

• Agenda – Administrators go over the agenda• Sharing – Ask the teachers or the grade levels if they have something they feel like

sharing. It can be something from school or from their personal life. • Closing- planned motivational message. We can used a basket of positive motivation

affirmations in many ways. 

2. Food at meeting. YES, food gives many messages, and one of them is, "you are important enough to need food." Even if it is chips and water, food conveys a message.

3. Large meetings--we might adjust the agenda, due to the time some items take. But, we make it fun, have door prizes, and have trainings with lots of prizes for correct answers and participation.

Our Responsibilities

• Teachers LoungeCreate a warm and welcoming environment

• Walking Club

• Team Building Exercises

Team Building Activities

• January– 13 Blame Someone Else Day – 19 National Popcorn Day– 24 Compliment Day

• February– 1 Valentine Bingo Starts– Bulletin Board How I met my loved one– 3 Soup or Bowl– 14 Cookie Exchange– 24 National Tortilla Chip Day

– 29 Celebrate Black History Month w/ Soul Food

Team Building Activities

• March – 1 Peanut Butter Day– 9 Baby Showers– Spring Break Pictures for

Bulletin Board– 28 Something on a Stick Day

• April– 2 Children’s Book Day for

Bulletin Board– 9 – 13 Name Yourself Week– 19 National High Five Day– 25 Secretaries & Clerk’s Day

• May– 4 Breakfast Tacos Day

• Cinco de Mayo

– 10 Bring a picture of your mom for our Bulletin Board

– 15 National Chocolate Chip Day

Closing Remarks

• Maintaining high moral is a big issue for everyone. Usually one person needs to take this on a part of their job. As the principal we need you to buy into this, so that some funds can be used to pay for incentives.