The Art of Creating a Joyful School

Our schools should be filled with joy and happiness.  That is not always the case with the burdens of mandates, accountability and pressures from all directions.  However, it doesn’t hurt to try and bring some happiness and joy in the midst of all the pressures.  Most of the time this is achieved by our attitude.  A positive attitude will bring positive outcomes.

 The Art of Creating a Joyful School is the topic for today.  I hope to give you a glimpse of how to create a little activity with your staff that helps them evaluate their attitude.  It’s called the Balloon Toss and it’s found in my Professional Development to do Throughout the Year packet.  Let’s take a look at it below.

When our teachers are tightly-bonded and motivated, they are armed with energy and can just about conquer anything that comes their way.  Teaching is a challenge even in the best situations and circumstances.  Unmotivated, unhappy teachers are least likely to be effective.  Happiness brings success.  I’m not saying just because you are smiling and bubbly you will be effective.  I’m saying…If you are passionate and love what you do each day, you will most likely do whatever it takes to bring success.  If you don’t love your job, it will show in your performance.

Morale boosters need to be a number one priority.  It doesn’t hurt to boost morale every month.  But this time of the year it is especially needed.  Everyone feels the pressure.  We feel the anxiety.  We are pushed to our limits. 

Why is this so important?  We want our classrooms, school and district to be filled with happy children who love coming to school.  Happy students are better learners.  That’s the bottomline. 
The teacher’s attitude toward teaching and toward his/her students play a big impact on student achievement.