Quick! Take a Pic
A fun team building activity for teachers.
10–15 min
Desk Drops & Daily Joy: Small Surprises that Boost Teacher Morale
A toolkit for school leaders to show appreciation, strengthen staff connection, and celebrate the everyday.
Megan Rogers
Small, frequent recognition is the best way to boost teacher morale
Spread a little joy throughout the school year with simple desk drops, handwritten notes, and small surprises that help staff feel appreciated, seen, and valued.
Why try it
Small gestures often have the biggest impact. A quick note, treat, or thoughtful surprise can boost morale, strengthen relationships, and create a culture where appreciation becomes part of the everyday rhythm—not just something saved for special occasions.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Things you'll need
Printable desk drop notes and templates
Staff celebration checklist
Monthly appreciation calendar
Pens or markers
Optional small treats or tokens of appreciation
Instructions
1
Choose your approach
Decide how you'd like to use the activity. You might focus on surprise desk drops, follow a monthly appreciation calendar, or involve your leadership team in recognizing staff.
2
Print and prepare
Use the included printables and keep a stack of notes in an easy-to-access spot so you're ready whenever someone deserves a little encouragement.
3
Pick a focus group
Choose a team or staff member to celebrate. You can follow the monthly appreciation calendar or simply recognize someone who could use a boost.
4
Write and deliver
Personalize a note and leave it on a desk, in a mailbox, on a classroom door, or anywhere it will be discovered throughout the day. Keep it genuine and specific.
5
Make it a habit
Set aside a few minutes each month to write and deliver notes. Pair it with walkthroughs, calendar planning, or staff meetings to make appreciation part of your regular leadership routine.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Treat and note
Pair your appreciation note with a small snack, drink, sticker, or fun surprise for an extra boost.
Leadership team drops
Ask assistant principals, coaches, department chairs, or committee members to each adopt a group of staff members to celebrate throughout the year.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Be specific
Mention a particular action, effort, or positive impact you've noticed.
Leader Tip #2
Keep notes ready
Store printed notes and supplies in your office for easy access.
Leader Tip #3
Celebrate often
A quick note once a week can make a bigger impact than one large appreciation event.
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.
Megan Rogers
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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