Gratitude & Celebration Postcards
An easy eay to send a quick handwritten note that celebrates a win.
3-5 min
Hidden Superpowers
A chance for staff members to be seen for something beyond their job title.
Joann Thurlow
A joyful guessing game that turns hidden strengths into a team building activity for teachers. Each staff member writes down a strength they see in a teammate, then the whole staff tries to guess who each card describes.
Why try it
Give every staff member a chance to be seen for something beyond their job title. Writing down a colleague's strength takes a minute, and reading the guesses aloud at a staff meeting turns those small observations into a shared moment of connection and recognition across the whole team.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Instructions
1
Assign teammates anonymously
Number your staff list, then assign each staff member a colleague to write about. Write the assigned number on the back of each card and add a sticky note with the teammate's name on the front.
2
Distribute the cards
Deliver the cards to staff mailboxes along with the included email script explaining the activity. Give staff about a week to write a hidden strength or superpower about their assigned colleague and return the card.
3
Play the guessing game
At your next staff meeting, split staff into groups of 4-6 and hand out the completed cards. Each group guesses which staff member matches each card, using an unnumbered staff list to jot down their guesses.
4
Reveal the matches
Read the real matches aloud after groups finish guessing. Give groups 5-10 minutes to talk through their guesses before revealing who each card was about.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Department edition
Run the activity within a single department or grade-level team for a smaller, faster version at a team meeting instead of a full staff meeting.
Add a display
Combine the returned cards with a staff photo to build a bulletin board that keeps the strengths visible after the meeting ends.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Rotate assignments
Keep a record of who was assigned to whom each round so no one gets the same partner twice if you repeat the activity later in the year.
Leader Tip #2
Mix up the groups
Group staff outside their usual grade level or department so the guessing game introduces people who do not often work together.
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.
Joann Thurlow
Gifted and Talented 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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