Staff Motivation

Spring Grove Area SD, New Salem ES and Seven Valleys ES, Traci Smith … For the past two years, once each marking period, we hold an activity called "Dump the Apple Cart." It is voluntary for teachers, although most if not all teachers usually participate. Here is how it works.

Names of classroom teachers go into a hat. Each teacher then chooses a name at random. At a pre-determined time and date, I announce that it's time to dump the apple cart, and the teachers go to their new assignments. They teach a "fun" type of mini-lesson based on what the class is already studying. For example, one class was working on measuring weight. The "fun lesson" used scales and weights, and students had to accurately measure and weigh a candy bar. If successful, they could then eat the candy bar. Of course, all students were eventually successful. This period lasts 40 minutes until the teacher returns to his or her regular classroom.

Students and teachers look forward to this event. Advantages to students are:

• They are taught familiar concepts through new approaches;
• They learn who other teachers throughout the building are;
• Students practice good self-control, as behavior has always been excellent;
• They are excited about the activity; and
• They don't want to lose the opportunity to participate.

Teachers find:

• They have the opportunity to meet new students for better awareness of student population;
• They get to experience another grade level;
• They can be helpful to the regular teacher if they offer useful suggestions as to how they may have handled a child with a problem;
• If they go to a grade level higher than they usually teach they have the opportunity to see former students and their progress.

Advantages to everyone include a brief change to the daily environment. Although most children and teachers like stability and structure, everyone needs a little diversion now and then!