As educators, you’re skilled at navigating the daily ups and downs of your day-to-day schedules, juggling everything from course planning to administrative work to student mentorship. As the year winds down and the holidays get closer, we’d like to express our gratitude to educators like you.
We’re thankful for you and the lasting impact you have on learners all through the year. Here are just a few examples of ways you inspire us, along with ideas for how you can recognize gratitude in your work.
Why we’re thankful for you
There are so many reasons why we appreciate the incredible work you do.
You spark curiosity
You instill a love of learning in your students every day through thoughtful teaching practices and a dedication to positive learning outcomes. From creating interactive activities to encouraging meaningful discussions, you make learning engaging and enjoyable, helping students feel excited for what’s ahead.
You guide and support
You provide guidance that goes far beyond the classroom. Whether it’s one-on-one mentorship during office hours, fostering career opportunities or offering support through stressful times, you’re always there for your students.
You show resilience
You skillfully rise to meet new and unexpected challenges, facing them with dedication and adaptability. From meeting shifting student expectations with creative and effective solutions to streamlining your professional load with AI, you constantly demonstrate an unwavering level of resilience.
Ways to notice gratitude in your daily work
Practicing gratitude is a small act, but it can have a big impact on how you feel. Research shows gratitude can boost positivity, lower stress and even improve your health. So, how can you make gratitude a part of your life as an educator?
Celebrate small breakthroughs: Reflect on the little ways your students have evolved over the course of your term. Even a small breakthrough, like solving a tricky problem or coming to your office hours for additional support, is a notable achievement.
Recognize day-to-day connections: Whether it’s the faculty member you chat with in the hallway between classes or the TA who’s always there for a quick exchange of ideas over coffee, recognizing those everyday connections can make work life a little brighter as you enter a new year.
Notice the small wins for yourself: Give yourself a round of applause for everything you’ve accomplished — whether it was setting up your online course or facilitating an engaging class discussion. Big or small, it’s important to appreciate the impact these wins have.
Year-end reflections: Wishing you more wins ahead
It’s natural to look back on the past term — what went well, what surprised you and what you enjoyed most. It can also be a nice moment to think about what you’d like the new year to bring. We hope you take this time to reflect on the amazing things you’ve accomplished.
We’re looking forward to celebrating all that you’re going to achieve in the upcoming year.
Need a little more inspiration to kick off the new year? Explore this peer-authored resource for tips on teaching gratitude to your students.