Quick Check-In, Real Connection
Ready-to-use one-on-one check-in questions for every moment of the school year.
5 min
Finding the Joy in the Everyday
An activity to notice bright moments, jot them down, then share and display them.
Alissa Christensen
A simple daily practice that helps school leaders notice, record, and share small moments of joy, then make them visible for the whole team. It uses a short morning reflection, a running list of bright spots, and easy ways to spotlight highlights across the school.
Why try it
Build a stronger school culture by treating small joyful moments, like a student's laugh or a shared win in the hallway, as worth noticing and celebrating. Track these moments for yourself, then pass them along to your team through quick highlights, notes, and a visible display so bright spots become a regular part of how your school runs.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Instructions
1
Start with a moment for yourself
Before checking email or heading into classrooms, take 60 seconds to breathe and use the included reflection page to name one thing you're looking forward to that day.
2
Keep a running list of bright spots
Start a notebook or shared doc for daily highlights. Jot down one or two moments as you notice them: a strong lesson, a laugh in the hallway, a good conversation.
3
Share a highlight with your team
Send a short "Friday Feel-Good" email or mention a highlight during a morning announcement or staff meeting.
4
Make bright spots visible
Post photos, quotes, or notes in a shared space like a bulletin board, a digital screen, or your school's social media so staff and students can see them too.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Joy jar
Keep a jar in your office and invite visitors to drop in notes of gratitude, funny quotes, or quick wins. Read a few out loud each Friday.
Good news minute
Open leadership meetings by asking everyone to share one bright spot from their week: a staff success, a student moment, or a personal win.
Weekly wins check-in
Ask your admin team to name one thing that went well each week during check-ins or emails.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Step outside when you need a reset
Take a quick walk between meetings or pause at recess. A few minutes outdoors can shift your focus before you head into the next thing.
Leader Tip #2
Connect with a peer leader
Text or call another principal to swap one good thing from your week. A quick check-in reminds you that you're not doing this work alone.
Leader Tip #3
Celebrate your own wins too
Pick a small personal ritual, a walk, a favorite snack, a specific song, to mark your own progress at the end of a hard day.
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.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
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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