ABSTRACT
Teachers who are recognized and appreciated will typically see better academic results when compared to teachers who do not feel appreciated. This is how high-performing schools are created and when students have the greatest opportunity to maximize their achievement. It's interesting that we celebrate musicians, athletes, and Hollywood stars, because we think they're talented, they influence pop culture, and we can relate to them on some level because of their contributions. Ironically, many if not all of them would not be where they are without the encouragement and belief of some teacher. Celebrating small wins as a team enhances morale; it helps teams maintain focus on what they're working toward while giving everyone a chance to reflect on their successes. The beauty of having a school community and extended community is that most people are vested in the schools and will often provide support for celebration ideas.
