Accolades and Affirmations

Sometimes, when my mom fits a piece into the jigsaw puzzle we are working on, she taps the table gently and says “Accolades.” She needs an “atta girl” and doesn’t mind asking for it.

I recently passed one of those signs that clocks your speed. You know the ones; they usually flash something like “37,” “37,” “37” when you’re driving in a 35-mph zone. But this one was different. Beneath the speed limit, a glowing flash of “Good Job” was followed by a happy face. I was going 35 in a 35 zone. That silly little affirmation tickled me and made me feel good all the way home.

Accolades and affirmations can be powerful mood boosters in the classroom, too. And the 4:1 ratio between compliment and correction has long been accepted as the right balance in building relationships.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as we intentionally put more positive encouragements into our classroom spaces:

1. Keep them age appropriate. “I love the way Henry is sitting” may get 22 five-year-olds to immediately adjust to crisscross applesauce, but it will probably earn a 15-year-old Henry a punch in the arm.
2. Feedback that is specific carries a lot more weight than “Good job.” Here are a few examples:

• “You have been responsible about turning things in on time this whole week. That must feel good.”
• “I got a report from the guest teacher that said you were respectful and helpful. You should feel proud of yourself when I get a message like that.”
• “Speaking up today took courage. I am impressed by how much you care for others.”

And you have my permission to knock on your best colleague’s door frame to say “Accolades.”

You can see what they noticed or be as frank as my mom when she finds a puzzle piece:

• “I handled that surprise rainy fire drill with cheerfulness and professionalism.”
• “Did you see how well I pivoted when that art project turned into an ‘I-saw-it-on-Instagram fail’?”
• “Did you notice that both of my shoes match today? I am rocking it.”

I wish you, your students, and your colleagues an ever-discerning lens that effortlessly focuses on ways to encourage one another well.