Personal Over Programmatic: Recognition That Digs Deep (33)

Gratitude, acknowledgement, recognition- how many of us receive this consistently? Many of us every day feel pride, design for pride, and yet the pride falls flat because no one takes the time to say thank you, I appreciate what you have done for me.  How often do we say that to someone else? We are all so busy, the hustle and bustle of life is ramped-up these days- so much to do, so little time. We are forgetting to look for the moments. The moments we as humans make one another feel proud, accepted, appreciated.

We all feel it, we blindly greet, eyes diverted at our phones. We, mechanized and automated, move through our days, self-focused, self-regulated. While others are desperately seeking connection. At times we yearn for it- a 'job well done.' Yet, we have to suffice with a thank you. We seek specifics and direct affirmation, but leave wanting. We do the same thing to others: our students, our families and often ourselves- because our minds are focused on the completion rather than the process. We are searching for moments, yet we move past them all the time.

As educators, most of us are in it not for the glory, (what glory right?) not even awards or accolades, but for the sheer joy of the process. Seeing our students faces as they engage in a lesson. Listening to their conversations as they make sense of the content. Noticing their moments of kindness as they interact and collaborate. This is why most of us became teachers. But, we would be deluding ourselves if we said aloud- I never expected a little affirmation for what I do.

Personal appreciation, eye contact and definitive examples of why we are being recognized. Not a 'job well done' but when you put on that puppet show, when you and your students excelled at this tournament, when parents and students came together for SCICON, a night of science- that was amazing because it strengthened relationships and fostered a platform of community. This means a lot more than 'good job.' Yet that is what we hear most of the time- programmatic platitudes.

Next time you read a students paper, watch a students presentation, walk around the room and observe, listen to purposeful conversations- provide personal feedback, meaningful, distinct, clear-cut acceptance and approval and it will mean the world to your students- as much as it does to you.