Recognition: The Sunshine Strategy That Transforms School Culture

This article is adapted from Ted's podcast episode 340: Recognition Month (Leadership & Process)

Ever notice how May feels like both a sprint and a marathon? We're racing toward summer while simultaneously trying to savor those precious final moments of the school year.

It's a month packed with recognition opportunities – from Teacher Appreciation Week to honoring our nurses, mothers, and service members.

But here's what I've learned after decades in education: recognition isn't just a nice-to-have; it's the fuel that powers our schools through challenging times and propels us into the next year with renewed energy.

The Recognition Calendar We Often Overlook

May is absolutely bursting with recognition days! Did you know the first eight days alone include everything from International Workers Day to National Truffle Day? (Yes, I said truffle day – even chocolate gets its moment in the spotlight!)

We've got days dedicated to our teachers, nurses, principals, astronauts, and even... hoagies? Some are profoundly important, others delightfully quirky, but they all share one purpose: to prevent us from taking the everyday miracles around us for granted.

Think about it – how often do we pause to truly acknowledge the people who make our schools run? The secretary who somehow knows every student's name, the custodian who quietly fixes problems before anyone notices them, the cafeteria worker who remembers which student needs the special lunch option? These everyday heroes deserve more than a single appreciation day.

The Countdown vs. Count-Up Mindset

Let me ask you something that reveals volumes about your approach to leadership: Are you a countdown or a count-up person?

The countdown folks have those calendars marked: "21 more days...20 more days...19 more days until summer!" Their energy is focused on getting through, surviving, crossing the finish line.

Then there are the count-up people – those wonderful souls who say, "Oh my goodness, we've only got 18 more days to go! What are we going to do? I cannot believe I'm not going to see all of you every day!" They hold each remaining moment as precious, knowing that what we do in education leaves a permanent impression on those we serve.

Which one are you? And more importantly, which mindset creates the culture you want in your school?

Leadership as Influence, Not Position

Before we dive into practical recognition strategies, let's revisit a fundamental truth: leadership isn't about titles. Leadership is defined as anyone who has influence over another person. That's you, that's me, that's the kindergartner who helps a classmate tie their shoes.

Leaders operate with two guiding principles:

• Empathy – constantly wondering what it would be like to be in someone else's position
• Reflection – asking each evening "What did I do well for others?" and each morning "What will I do well for others today?"

And how do we approach challenges? With "a couple of horns, four hooves, and an attitude" – charging forward like buffaloes into the storm rather than running away. That's the leadership mindset that creates extraordinary school cultures.

The Power of Being Seen

Several years ago, I was doing a training with a school district on what I call our "Mount Rushmore" exercise – identifying the four most influential people in your life and what made them so impactful. A few months later, I returned to that school for a board meeting that happened to coincide with parent-teacher conferences.

As I walked down the hallway, I noticed a family – mom, dad, and their kindergartner – standing in front of a bulletin board. The parents had tears in their eyes while their little girl pointed excitedly at her "Mount Rushmore" creation. She had colored the faces of the four people who had the greatest influence in her life: Mom, Dad, Grandpa Tony, and Nana.

Think about that for a moment. At five years old, this child was already reflective enough to identify and celebrate the people who shaped her world. One year for a kindergartener represents 20% of their entire life! That profound influence is worth recognizing.

What struck me most as I continued down that hallway was seeing all the different Mount Rushmores from other kindergartners – featuring teachers, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles – the entire community that wraps around our children. It was a powerful visual representation of influence and connection.

Rays of Recognition: A Culture-Building Strategy

This experience inspired what I'm calling "Rays of Recognition" – a simple but transformative activity to close out your school year with intentional appreciation.

Here's how it works:

• Gather supplies: Visit the dollar store for bright, colorful note cards in yellow, hot pink, and orange.
• Create your sun: Cut a large piece of yellow paper into a half-circle (I'm talking BIG – four to eight feet wide) and tape it to a wall with plenty of space around it.
• Engage your entire community in three groups:
  • Students (pink cards): Write one thing they love about a teacher, one way a teacher helped them, or one way a teacher made learning meaningful or fun
  • Staff (yellow cards): Acknowledge how colleagues have helped them grow, innovate, or persevere
  • Leadership/Parents/Community (orange cards): Recognize contributions from principals, department heads, volunteers, and community partners
• Create the rays: As people complete their cards, have them tape them to the wall in rays extending from the sun, creating a visual celebration of your school community's impact.

The beauty of this process is what happens next. People will naturally stop and read the wall. Teachers will discover the specific ways they've impacted students. Staff will learn new approaches from reading what their colleagues are appreciated for. And everyone gets to see the ripple effects of their daily efforts.

The Recognition Barrier We Must Overcome

I'll be honest – I'm not naturally great at receiving recognition. It embarrasses me. I prefer to be the one doing the recognizing. Maybe you feel the same way?

Years ago, during a particularly brutal stretch as a principal (dealing with student expulsion, a substitute teacher being removed in handcuffs, explaining a racially motivated fight to the school board, and having to fire a teacher), I was feeling pretty beaten down. One afternoon, I returned to my office and couldn't get in – the door kept pushing back against me.

When I peeked through the window, I discovered my entire office filled with balloons! My assistant handed me a note that read, "We thought we'd bring some lift to your day for all the things you do for us" – signed by the seventh-grade staff. They had each of their 300 students blow up a balloon and jam them into my office!

Now, I'll confess that popping all those balloons filled with seventh-grade breath left me with about 15 different colds, three different stomach ailments, and about 16 eye infections by the weekend (maybe don't copy that specific recognition strategy!). But the feeling of being seen during a difficult time was absolutely worth it.

The Hidden Benefit of Public Recognition

Some of you might worry: "What if certain people don't get recognized on the wall?"

I believe that's actually a powerful feature, not a bug. Too often, we avoid activities like this because we don't want anyone excluded. But if we have toxic people in our culture and lack the courage to address it directly, this sunshine process will reveal it organically.

If someone isn't recognized, it creates an opportunity for reflection: "Why aren't I up here? What am I not doing?" Everyone learns and grows when positive behaviors are reinforced. The rays of recognition will naturally highlight what we want our staff to do, what we want our kids to be, and what we need our community to achieve.

Building a Culture of Appreciation

The rays of recognition create the ultimate PDA – Public Display of Affection – that brings positive energy to your year-end. It acknowledges effort, impact, and influence regardless of test scores, budget challenges, or other systemic pressures.

This isn't just about making people feel good (though it absolutely will). It's about creating a reflective culture that values contribution in all its forms. When we publicly celebrate what matters, we shape what our school community prioritizes.

The Buffalo Way Forward

Leadership is ultimately about seeing the things being done around us and demonstrating genuine gratitude. Simply recognizing others' efforts as we close the school year can propel them into September with renewed purpose and commitment.

Remember: recognition isn't just something we have to do – it's something we get to do. It helps our "buffaloes" grow in confidence, become part of the herd, and understand that they need to take that extra step forward when things get tough.

Smart Thinking Challenge

As we wrap up, I challenge you to do some smart thinking:

1. Describe what process you will employ to ensure recognition this month
2. List the people who can help you make this happen
3. Identify the specific people whose contributions you'll celebrate first

Whether you use the Rays of Recognition approach or create your own recognition strategy, commit to making May a month where every person in your school community feels seen for their unique contributions.

Because when the sunlight of appreciation shines on our schools, everyone stands a little taller, works a little harder, and remembers why we chose this amazing profession in the first place.

Now go create some sunshine, my buffalo friends!🌞

Want more leadership strategies? Register for our Smart Thinking Retreat happening this July. We'll focus on your wellbeing and building positive organizational culture. Seats are limited, so register soon!