Hello Friends,

February can feel like a long month, nestled between our Christmas break and spring break, often making it a challenging time for teachers and educators. To alleviate some of this stress, I initiated a plan called "We Love February" during my time as a middle school principal. The idea is to do something special for our teachers every day of the month. After the first year, my teachers began to look forward to February with excitement.

This year, I will be introducing "We Love February" at the high school for the first time. I’m eager to share this initiative with my staff at our faculty meeting next week and can't wait to see their reactions.

Below is the schedule I will distribute to each teacher:

Daily Breakdown:

• 3rd: Teacher dress-down day—wear sweats!
• 4th: Staff Soup Cook-off.
• 6th: I partner realtor who will pop popcorn using the school machine and deliver it class to class with various toppings.
• 7th: A local restaurant reached out to my secretary wanting to do something for my staff for Christmas. I the manager into pushing it to February so I could incorporate it here. Administrators will use a cart and deliver frozen custard to classrooms.
• 10th: See my October 2024 Newsletter for details.
• 11th: HTeaO sells tea to our students periodically. On this day, staff will go to their set up at the school and get a free drink donated by HTeaO.
• 13th: A cart will be loaded with large bowls of various snacks and treats. We will got to each classroom, give the teacher a small bowl, and they will use ladles to fill their bowl with what they want.
• 14th: My Principal’s Cabinet students will go into each classroom and write "CHS Loves You" on the board and tape boxes of conversation hearts to board.
• 18th: The lounge will have a variety of sodas and add-ins like cream and syrup.
• 20th: Our monthly faculty meeting lunch, provided by a community partner, will be part of "We Love February."
• 21st: We will have our monthly Payday Breakfast in which departments take turns providing breakfast.
• 24th: A coffee bar for staff will be provided by a community partner.
• 25th: Same as the 11th.
• 27th: My Principal’s Cabinet students will go to each class a few weeks before and take a picture of each staff member with our mascot Charlie. The students will make frames with a Cricut and put the printed picture in the frame. On this day the students will deliver the pictures to the teachers.
• 28th: I am allowed to buy one lunch a semester. This is that lunch.

While this may seem like a significant expense, it’s not. I will cover the costs for the happy cart items, candy hearts, soda bar supplies, and printed pictures using my Sunshine fund, estimating around $500.

To further reduce costs, consider partnering with student organizations, your PTA, or parents within your building.

You can see more suggestions and examples in my book.

My book, School Transformation Through Teacher Appreciation, is available on Amazon:

Bring me to your District!

I offer engaging, fun, and hands-on professional development for campus leaders designed to increase teacher retention. You can find more information about presentations and workshops on my webpage.

Bring me to your School!

If you would like me to help you create a detailed teacher appreciation plan for your campus, or you would like me to mentor and work with your administrative team on your campus contact me at Kathleen.Eckert@iCloud.com.

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Thank you for loving teachers,

Kathleen Eckert

Follow me on Twitter @EckertKathleen