The teachers like kids are drawn to a colorful package in the middle of the meeting room. The green wrapping paper with simplistic drawings of apple trees, cows, chickens and daisies makes them smile. The label "To be opened at 12:45" brings the corners of the mouth down a bit. They would like to open the mystery box right away.
Throughout the first day meetings - the relationship building, playing with blocks, sharing bits of ourselves, finding what we have common; the creation of mission and vision for our small team - the teachers keep sending glances at the other table. During short breaks they walk closer, touch the box, and wonder out loud.
Finally, after some more productive discussions, when we have some agreements, goals and plans in place, and our stomachs growl for lunch, we open the box,
Inside are little jars with personal notes, and bags of various snacks - assortment of nuts, dried cherries, goji berries, almonds in sweet cocoa powder, hazelnuts in chocolate coating - and cute labels and colorful markers. They get to assemble their own little snack jars to give them energy, to remind them that in order to be able to give to others they have to keep their cups filled.
This was my little gift as the primary school principal/curriculum coordinator (still being a part time teacher too) to my small team of eight homeroom teachers, my wonderful colleagues. I was inspired by my former colleague who constantly found ways to create little gifts to cheer people up - notes, tea, cookies. She once assembled a care package for me before a longer airplane flight. Something that seemed to be so natural for her is rather foreign for me. I set it as one of my goals this year to improve in this area.
Throughout the first day meetings - the relationship building, playing with blocks, sharing bits of ourselves, finding what we have common; the creation of mission and vision for our small team - the teachers keep sending glances at the other table. During short breaks they walk closer, touch the box, and wonder out loud.
Finally, after some more productive discussions, when we have some agreements, goals and plans in place, and our stomachs growl for lunch, we open the box,
Inside are little jars with personal notes, and bags of various snacks - assortment of nuts, dried cherries, goji berries, almonds in sweet cocoa powder, hazelnuts in chocolate coating - and cute labels and colorful markers. They get to assemble their own little snack jars to give them energy, to remind them that in order to be able to give to others they have to keep their cups filled.
This was my little gift as the primary school principal/curriculum coordinator (still being a part time teacher too) to my small team of eight homeroom teachers, my wonderful colleagues. I was inspired by my former colleague who constantly found ways to create little gifts to cheer people up - notes, tea, cookies. She once assembled a care package for me before a longer airplane flight. Something that seemed to be so natural for her is rather foreign for me. I set it as one of my goals this year to improve in this area.
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| My friend wrote on her jar a little joke we share. |
What a welcoming way to begin a new school year.It is hard to keep one's mind off of a box that says, "Do not open until..."
ReplyDeleteSince it wasn't to be opened until 12:45, I was hoping it had some snacks inside. What a fun idea to let them assemble their own snack jars with the wonderful reminder to keep their cups filled. Your team is lucky to have you at the helm. An A+ for this idea and the implementation!
ReplyDeleteI love how your showed the teachers' curiosity was piqued and their attention kept shifting back to the box. What a sweet idea that helps the teachers feel cared for!
ReplyDeleteI love how your showed the teachers' curiosity was piqued and their attention kept shifting back to the box. What a sweet idea that helps the teachers feel cared for!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! I love this!
ReplyDelete