It would be nice if there was a one-fit-all answer to that question. How easy it would be to hire, appease and retain good teachers, if there was. The truth is teachers come to work in Catholic education for quite a variety of reasons. Some are looking to begin a teaching career with whoever will give them a chance. Others enjoy the differences of public and Catholic schools and choose to remain. Still others are mission-driven and choose to aide in the mission of the church, to pass on the faith to our children.
Whatever the reason for hiring on or returning to a Catholic teaching position, there comes a time during the school year for almost every teacher when exhaustion wins out and inspiration is needed. Not unlike students that have varied learning modes, teachers have a variety of things that motivate them to stay at the task, with the enthusiasm they began the year.
Administrators can take a lesson from Gary Chapman and the well-known theory that we each have a love language. He contends that most of us lend toward one of these in the way we receive and respond to love. When as an administrator, we are looking to boost morale or lift spirits, it would be of value to study or know the teachers personally (or collaborate with staff that do) when determining how to best inspire a teacher.
Affirming words. This is only true if it's considered to be genuine; sincere. These are most powerful when given in person, but even a note with positive affirmation can be inspiring.
Small gifts, sweets or coupons left in their mailboxes can help many teachers feel appreciated. Others dislike this sort of thing, finding it a shallow replacement for a raise or bonus.
Visits to the classroom, taking a real interest in a project or lesson might intimidate new teachers but veterans often list this as a desired trait of their administrator. An open-door policy making it easy to talk with a supervisor is also important to many teachers.
An emotional connection is often valuable to teachers. It helps to know the principal is real and not so professional they wouldn't tear up at a touching video or speaker.
Lastly, understanding the time and energy the job requires, is huge. When an administrator can take something off the plate of a busy teacher, such as covering a duty like carline, lunchroom, or recess, most teachers are very grateful.
There are, of course, many other things that can help to keep spirits up. One year, as an A.P. I set a jar in the office where teachers walked by each day. it was open and wide rimmed so a hand could fit in easily. The sign on the jar simply said, Thought for the Day. Inside I had many strips of folded paper with scripture verses on them. All were positive.
I realized at first there was a curiosity as to what was on those papers, similar to wanting to read a fortune cookie. However, after a few weeks I saw the need to add paper "thoughts" to the jar and watched, as to my surprise, teachers were regularly pulling out a thought for the day.
With no data to back me up I will say there must have been some positive effect to these small pieces of paper with a set of words on them. So simple. It's easy enough to do this simple act for positivity, but if you'd like a list of sayings ready to print, cut and fold you can find mine at Motivational Scripture Verse by Go Forth and Lead | TPT.
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