Pay it Forward
A peer-to-peer recognition activity where staff pass along rewards.
Ongoing
Behind Your Back
A peer recognition activity where staff write positive "gossip" about a colleague.
Erin Bunton
A peer recognition activity where staff write positive "gossip" about a colleague on a card and deliver it to their mailbox. Signed or anonymous, it's a low-prep way to spread genuine appreciation across your whole team.
Why try it
When staff hear something good about themselves from a colleague, it reinforces the relationships that make a team feel like a team. This activity gets that recognition moving in all directions, not just top-down, and gives quieter staff members a comfortable way to celebrate the people around them.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Instructions
1
Set it up
Print the included gossip cards and place one in each staff member's mailbox. Give a quick explanation at a staff meeting or via a note: staff will fill out a card about a colleague, something great they've done at school or outside it, and drop it in that person's mailbox.
2
Lead by example
Kick things off yourself. Fill out the first few cards about specific things your staff have done and deliver them, with a small treat if you like.
3
Keep it going and share the highlights
Encourage staff to keep cards coming, signed or anonymous, whatever the writer prefers. At your next staff meeting, invite anyone to share their card aloud.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Track participation
Keep a mental or written note of which staff members have been recognized so you can quietly encourage cards for anyone who hasn't received one yet.
Leader Tip #2
Seasonal squad
Run the activity at a specific time of year, like the start of a new semester, Teacher Appreciation Week, or before a long break, rather than as an ongoing activity.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Erin Bunton
Special Education Teacher
Shoutouts
A teacher recognition program that runs itself.
Give teachers an opportunity to recognize their colleagues and collect them in your dashboard automatically. Easily print and share these encouraging words with your team.
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