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30 Days of Gratitude: Daily Gratitude Activities for Staff
A gratitude activity for staff with 30 daily questions you can place in your staff lounge.
Alissa Christensen
What is 30 Days of Gratitude?
30 Days of Gratitude is a month-long series of gratitude activities for your staff. Each day, post one new gratitude question in the staff lounge, and they can add their answers to a shared board for everyone to see and enjoy.
The 30 questions cover topics that everyone can participate in, from colleague and student stories, to everyday comforts and favorite school memories. Staff stop by any time during the day, write a quick answer, and read what their colleagues wrote.
Why try it
Gratitude activities keeps appreciation top of mind in your school
A single question on a board gives staff an easy reason to stop, think about something good, and share it so that others can be inspired to do the same. Over 30 days, staff hear from teammates in other grade levels and departments, from paras and office staff to cafeteria and custodial teams, so you can make sure the gratitude spreads through the entire building.
The answers also give you a quick read on what is going well in your building and who staff name as their go-to people.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Things you'll need
Whiteboard, bulletin board, or large sheet of poster paper
Gratitude question cards and blank cards
Dry-erase markers, or sticky notes and pens
Instructions
1
Set up the board
Set up a gratitude board where staff gather
Print the included sign and cards, then cut the cards apart. Tape the sign to a whiteboard or bulletin board in the staff lounge, copy room, or mailroom, and leave markers or sticky notes nearby.
2
Invite staff
Introduce 30 Days of Gratitude to your staff
Share the plan at a staff meeting or in a quick email: “Starting Monday, look for a new gratitude question on the lounge board each day. Add your answer whenever you pass by, and take a minute to read what your colleagues wrote.”
3
Post the daily question
Post one of the 30 gratitude questions each morning
Tape the day’s card in the spot on the sign before staff arrive. Posting one card each school day covers about six weeks, so pick a start date that fits your calendar.
4
Clear the board
Snap a photo and clear the board for tomorrow’s question
At the end of the day, take a photo of the answers, then wipe the board or pull the sticky notes to make room for the next question.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Sticky-note gratitude wall
Have staff answer on sticky notes and leave every answer up for the full 30 days, so the wall fills a little more each day.
Countdown to a break
Time your 30 days to end right before winter break or Teacher Appreciation Week, and close with a small celebration in the lounge.
Write school-specific questions
Use the included blank cards to add questions about your school’s events, traditions, or people, like spirit week, a favorite field trip, or your front office team.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Answer first
Write your own answer on day one so staff can see the length and tone to aim for.
Leader Tip #2
Pass along the gratitude
When an answer names a colleague, pass it along with a quick celebration note or a gratitude postcard.
Leader Tip #3
Share weekly gratitude highlights
Pull a few favorite answers from your photos into your Friday staff email. These staff newsletter tips can help you decide where they fit.
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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