Job satisfaction is a key driver for staff engagement. The four key factors for job satisfaction are:-
- My work is important
- I make a difference though my work
- I am good at my job and
- What I do is appreciated
Most teachers in most schools would confidently answer YES to the first two statements but many would find the final two a little more difficult to answer. Many teachers don’t receive enough feedback and often they don’t feel their work is appreciated.
Developing a culture of providing feedback to teachers is a priority for a lot of schools and a variety of approaches have been developed around the world. This is an area that we provide a lot of professional development and support.
Last week I was fortunate to be invited to the ENABLE Recognition Breakfast. It is an excellent example of schools undertaking a specific strategy to recognise and show appreciation for the great work of their staff.
ENABLE is a coalition of 13 State High Schools from the Logan-Albert, Beaudesert and Boonah areas of Education Queensland’s South East Region. In the final week of each term the ENABLE cluster of schools meet for the Recognition breakfast. Each of the 13 Principals invites up to five staff to be recognised at the event. Each school has a process for selecting their teachers, teacher aides, office staff, cleaners or school leaders to attend.
As well as a nice, sit down breakfast and a short presentation by a guest speaker, the Principal of each school talks about the members of staff they are recognising and presents them with a certificate. You could see each of the recipients glowing with pride as the Principal says a few words about the contribution they have made to the school.
I believe the power of the ENABLE cluster’s strategy comes from making it a regular combined event (that makes it more special than an in school event), the personal touch of the Principal personally and publicly acknowledging the staff member and the valuing of the staff through sharing breakfast at a nice venue.
Whilst the event isn’t extravagant, I am certain it is an EXCELLENT investment in the most important factor in a school’s success, the staff. The ENABLE cluster are to be commended for their initiative and commitment.