We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.
– Maya Angelou (1927-2014), American writer

Contributed by Nancy Rosenow, retired CEO of Dimensions Foundation and former Publisher of Exchange Press.

“Administrators and other educational leaders can play an enormous role in supporting teachers by making space to foster the joy that initially brings many educators to the profession.”

So begins an article in Edutopia by Olivia Karaolis, called “How Administrators Can Support Early Childhood Teachers.”

Karaolis makes the point that when educators are given the chance to remember, discuss and celebrate what they love about being with young children, their job satisfaction increases.

One of the reasons I wrote the book, Encouragement Every Day, is that when I was an early childhood administrator, it was hard to find gifts for my team that conveyed the message, “I value you as a person. I want to celebrate you and your work and support you in both personal and professional growth.”

Here’s an excerpt (which also references some of my previous writing):

“In my book, Heart-Centered Teaching Inspired by Nature, I told the story of my first-grade teacher who one day completely forgot the importance of celebrating everything, even small accomplishments. It was silent reading time and we were not supposed to bother our teacher unless we were having trouble. But something miraculous happened to me and I needed to share it with someone. I read the word nightingale! There was a beautiful picture of the bird in my book, and I was actually able to read the name of that magnificent creature. It was amazing to me. I shot my hand up, and when my teacher appeared, she scolded me for calling her over for something that wasn’t a problem. At the time I simply didn’t have the words to explain how much I longed for her to celebrate with me.

I wonder how many times I’ve missed the opportunity to celebrate with a child, or a colleague, or a friend, because I simply forgot that small successes NEED celebrating.

Today I am finding reasons to celebrate something – no matter how small. And if I find someone else to celebrate with, all the better.”

How are you remembering what’s joyful in your work and finding ways to celebrate with others?