What Gets Noticed Gets Done

In a recent post, I described how every teacher and classroom in your school deserves to get noticed. There are so many good things happening. When we feel noticed and appreciated, it always makes us want to do more than what's expected.

But what types of things should we notice? That matters too. Whether you are a teacher or a principal, the things you notice help build the culture of your classroom and school. We communicate what's important and what we value. When you recognize certain actions and attitudes in others, it encourages more of the same.

Popular advice says, "What gets monitored get done." While this might be okay management advice, it might not be the best leadership advice. We can monitor certain things and maybe get improved behaviors and results we want in the short term. 

But if we really haven't invested in the people and their capacity, it probably won't last. The desired behaviors and outcomes aren't sustained. Leadership is about influence and change that endures and empowers. 

But when we notice the good work other people are doing, it is affirming to them. It builds them up and helps them reach their potential. If we want lasting change and to help people build their capacity in a personal way, we need to notice their strengths.

So while there may be a place for data, assessment, and accountability, why aren't we talking more about opportunities, commitment, and responsibility? 

What gets monitored	What gets noticed
Data driven	Learning driven
Assessment work	Creative work
One-size-fits-all	Personal touch
Someone else’s idea	My idea
Deficits	Strengths
Implementation	Innovation
Strategy	Culture
Outcomes	Opportunities
Accountability	Responsibility
Compliance	Commitment

I want to hear from you. Does your school focus more on monitoring or noticing? It could be, and maybe should be, some of both. Share a comment below or respond on or .

Popular Posts Everyone's Reading #ICYMI

In case you missed it (#ICYMI), here are a few recent articles that were most popular with my readers. The top post lists several things educators should try to communicate to students as often as possible. In the next post, I give some advice that I actually think teachers should ignore. Some of these may surprise you.

One of the posts I enjoyed the most highlighted the differences between excellence and success. Is your school successful, excellent, or both? Next up was a list of reasons educators should embrace change. And then I considered what teachers really want from principals. How is trust built?

Our school has really been focused on reading of late. I shared several ways to promote reading no matter what you teach. Listed next is a post listing some of my favorite blog posts and bloggers from 2015. Finally, I reflect on creating a student centered classroom where student voices are valued and heard.

I hope you see something here that catches your eye and might prove helpful to you. If you like something, give me some feedback by leaving a comment or sharing the post on Twitter or Facebook.

Title	Views
Ten Things Every Educator Should Say More Often December 6	11425
9 Pieces of Advice Every Teacher Should Ignore January 3	2887
Schools Should Never Confuse Excellence and Success December 26	2678
9 Reasons Every Educator Should Embrace Change January 24	2442
7 Trust Building Behaviors Teachers Want From Principals January 10	2245
11 Simple Ideas To Promote Reading No Matter What You Teach January 14	2171
Leading Education: 10 Amazing Blog Posts From 2015 December 28	2049
Whoever Is Doing the Talking Is Doing the Learning January 1	1941

Your Classroom Deserves to Get Noticed

In a previous post, I examined various benefits to sharing the good things happening in your classroom. I made the case that it is essential to share. When we make learning visible, it creates a stronger learning culture throughout the school. Sharing helps us learn from each other and creates opportunities for collaboration.

But I wanted to look at one more reason it's important to provide others with insights into the inner workings of your classroom.

Your work needs to be noticed. You deserve to feel appreciated.

Nearly every survey I've read on employee satisfaction shows that people want to feel respected and noticed for what they contribute in the workplace. Feeling appreciated is very important to work satisfaction. It's interesting to me that this is often ranked higher than salary, benefits, or opportunities for advancement. 

I suspect educators are no different. We want to feel like we are making a difference, and it's great to have our efforts validated by people familiar with our work. You deserve to be noticed.

As principal, I realize how important it is to recognize the efforts of our staff. Honestly, I need to work at consistently doing this. Although I've done a variety of things to show appreciation, I also miss too many opportunities to do so. It's my sincere desire that my appreciation shines through even when I fail to be intentional in this area. I have great admiration and respect for the contributions of each member of our staff.

But here's something I've noticed. Because some teachers share more about what's happening in their classrooms than others, it's easier to be familiar with their work. Of course, I try to visit all classrooms regularly. But there's still so much that happens. A day in a high school with 800+ students is frenetic. And a principal's job is built for distraction.

More than once, I've learned of wonderful, dynamic, innovative learning in our building that might have gone unnoticed had I not accidentally learned about it. There are teachers who are quietly going about their work and doing a great job. They are amazing. But they are under the radar.

But I'm asking you to share. Please.

Your students deserve to get noticed. So does your classroom and so do you. Without a doubt, there are great things happening in your world of learning that need to get noticed. You give extra effort. You create improved opportunities for student learning. You have moments of awesomeness.

So teachers, share what's happening in your classroom. Advocate for your students. Reach out. Connect. Share. I'm suggesting you can contribute to your own sense of feeling appreciated by sharing and reflecting on your work. 

Your principal wants to recognize your efforts (hopefully). And so do your colleagues (hopefully). A healthy school culture will see people getting genuinely excited about other people's successes.

And principals, be visible and available. Ask teachers what's happening in their classrooms. Ask what you can do to help. Give your teachers the confidence they need to share their work with you and others.

A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected.

Question: How does your school create a culture of appreciation? I want to hear from you. Leave a comment below or respond on or .