The best gift to teachers is a better version of you.
At Better Leaders Better Schools we believe When YOU get better... Everyone wins.
If you agree with that statement, then putting yourself first and becoming an even more effective leader is the best gift your staff can receive.
Since 2016, we've coached and mentored 100s of school leaders in The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™.
The problem with most professional development is that it's Too-Little-Too-Late, Unhelpful, and Disconnected. Not only that, a study by the Learning Policy Institute and NAESP found that just under 25% of all principals have access to coaching and mentorship.
The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™ provides high quality coaching and mentorship weekly. It is a Relevant, Responsive, and Results-Oriented Professional Development experience™.
Through our proprietary process -- the ABCs of Powerful Professional Development ® -- we will help you become an even more effective leader.
Learn more and apply to The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™ here.
Within 48 hours we will contact you and set up a "mutual fit" exploration call. We want to make sure that you will add value to our community and be confident in over delivering on your goals as well!
Raising morale: Principal gifts may assist raise morale by providing a concrete expression of appreciation for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to student success.
Presenting presents can assist to develop ties between administrators and teachers, producing a more supportive and collaborative work environment.
Promoting a healthy school culture: When teachers feel respected and appreciated, they are more likely to provide a pleasant, caring environment in the classroom, which may help to build a strong school culture.
Personalized presents, such as engraved pens, nameplates, or personalised tote bags, may make instructors feel special since they demonstrate that thought and care went into the gift.
Classroom materials: Giving teachers helpful classroom supplies like as whiteboard markers, bright posters, or interesting educational games may be a meaningful and practical present that will benefit both the teacher and their pupils.
Gift cards: If you're not sure what to get your teachers, gift cards to a store, popular merchants, bookstores, or even a relaxing spa day might be a safe and welcomed alternative.
Opportunities for professional development: Sponsoring a teacher's participation at a conference, workshop, class or training session may be a priceless present that helps their professional growth and development.
Team-building activities: Planning a fun team-building activity, such as a staff retreat or a group visit to an escape room, may be a memorable present that develops camaraderie among your teaching staff.
Consider personal preferences: Take the time to learn about your instructors' interests, hobbies, and preferences, and then select presents that reflect those interests.
Be conscious of cultural and religious sensitivities: While selecting gifts, keep in mind your teaching staff and family's different cultural and religious backgrounds, and avoid gifts that may be unsuitable or insulting.
Coordination with other administrators: When purchasing presents for your instructors, it is good to collaborate with other administrators to minimise gift duplication.
Emphasize quality over quantity: A single high-quality present will almost certainly be appreciated more than a variety of lower-grade goods. Instead of the number, consider the thinking and intention behind your present.
Write a sincere letter: Including a handwritten message with your gift may significantly increase its effect by allowing you to communicate your thanks and appreciation in a more personal way.
Teacher Appreciation Week: This annual occasion, usually during the first full week of May, is a perfect time to give meaningful presents to your teachers.
End-of-year celebrations: The end of the school year or semester is another ideal occasion to express your gratitude since it allows you to recognise and appreciate your instructors' accomplishments and victories.
Spontaneous gestures of appreciation: During the year, surprise your instructors with unexpected presents to keep their spirits up and remind them that they are valued.
Take the effort to display your goods in an appealing way, such as wrapping them in colourful paper or placing them in a lovely gift bag.
Section 5: Better Leaders Better Schools' Mastermind Program - The Greatest Gift for Empowering Teachers Through Improved Leadership
A customised desk organiser is a useful and fashionable present for any teacher. This multipurpose organiser, made of high-quality materials, may be personalised with the teacher's name or initials, giving a touch of elegance to their office. It has plenty of storage space for pens, sticky notes, and other office materials, making it easy for instructors to keep their desks clean. This clever and practical present shows your thanks for your teacher's hard work while also improving their working environment.
An inspiring book set may be a very meaningful present, providing useful insights and encouragement for personal and professional development. You are giving your instructors with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration by carefully picking a choice of publications that cover themes such as educational philosophy, classroom management, writing and self-improvement. These books will not only serve as a useful resource for professional growth, but will also act as a reminder of your support and gratitude for their devotion to education.
A relaxation gift box is the ideal way to express your gratitude and assist your instructors in unwinding after a hard day at school. This gift basket, filled with calming goods such as scented candles, bath salts, a nice blanket, and a good book, encourages instructors to take some well-deserved time off. A handwritten message expressing your appreciation for their hard work may make this kind present even more unique, reminding instructors that their efforts are genuinely appreciated.
Updating classroom technology is a practical and effective method to express your gratitude to your instructors. Try getting them a new tablet, interactive whiteboard, or document camera, which will dramatically improve their teaching abilities and students' entire learning experience. This great present not only shows your appreciation for their commitment to study, but it also equips them with the resources they need to flourish in today's digital world.
Enrolling your teachers in a professional development course or workshop is a wonderful present that will help them advance in their careers and improve their abilities. You are investing in their continuing success as educators by your money and providing them with the opportunity to learn from experts in their industry and network with other professionals. This donation assists not just the individual teacher but also the entire level of education at your school, making it a genuinely valued and kind contribution.
Any teacher will appreciate receiving a customised planner as a thoughtful and useful gift. This planner, with the teacher's name or initials on the cover, will help them keep organised throughout the year. This gift shows your support for their everyday activities and responsibilities by providing separate sections for lesson planning, note-taking, and monitoring crucial dates.
Inspiring wall art may brighten up a teacher's classroom or workstation while also inspiring and motivating them. Pick a meaningful quotation or phrase, or perhaps a bespoke design that expresses the teacher's own personality and teaching style. This present not only offers a touch of warmth to their surroundings, but it also acts as a regular reminder of your gratitude for their hard work.
Teachers frequently rely on caffeine to get through the day. A coffee or tea subscription may be a wonderful present that keeps on giving, supplying them at lunch and with a variety of high-quality blends to enjoy. This considerate present demonstrates that you appreciate their daily work and wish to make their mornings more joyful.
Give your teachers a package of books matched to their subject or grade level to help them increase their classroom library. Your gift not only offers essential tools for their pupils, for example, but it also reflects your dedication to instilling a love of learning in the school community.
A personalised travel coffee mug or water bottle is a practical present that teachers will use on a daily basis. By personalising it with their name or a particular message, you create a one-of-a-kind and useful gift that they can carry with them wherever they go.
Plants for the classroom are a clever approach to improve the ambiance and bring a touch of nature and life to their educational environment. Plants may help cleanse the air, decrease tension, and brighten the environment, making it more pleasant for both instructors and pupils.
Enrolling your teachers in an online course or subscription relating to their hobbies or professional development is a thoughtful present that will help them improve personally and professionally. This contribution assists not just the individual teacher but also the general quality of education at your school.
A comfy and ergonomic desk chair may significantly improve a teacher's daily comfort. Investing in a high-quality chair shows that you care about their well-being and want to help them maintain a healthy work environment.
A simple, genuine message expressing your appreciation for a teacher's hard work, together with food or their favourite goodie, may sometimes make a lasting impression. This particular gesture demonstrates that you respect their efforts and are ready to take the time to thank them.
Presenting teachers with a selection of professional development books or a membership to an educational magazine is a great gift and a fantastic approach to promote their constant learning and improvement. This gift provides vital insights, ideas, and tools that can contribute to their continued success as educators.
Finally, these 10 gift ideas provide principals with a varied choice of creative and meaningful methods to demonstrate their appreciation for their teaching team. By examining each teacher's specific requirements and preferences, as well as the general needs of the child and school, you may pick the right present to create a lasting impact and build your professional ties.
Principal presents to teachers may help establish a healthy work environment, enhance morale, and develop connections within the school community. You may show your teaching staff that you actually appreciate their hard work and devotion by selecting clever, unique presents and delivering them at the appropriate moment.
While choosing gifts, keep in consideration individual preferences, cultural and religious sensitivities, and stress quality over quantity. A genuine letter and an appealing presentation or gift card may boost the overall effect of your gift.
Finally, recognising and thanking your teachers with meaningful presents is an important part of being a good administrator. You'll be well on your way to building a supportive, loving, and pleasant school climate where both parents, teachers and kids may thrive if you follow the strategies and concepts offered in this book.
As a chronically late student, Danny Bauer once told his Chemistry teacher a fib about saving an entire girl scout troop from a burning building to get out of a tardy.
Danny is not sure if it was the very made up story, the very real cookie he offered his teacher, or a combination of both that got him out of a detention that day …
That experience taught him it pays to develop your storytelling skills.
Danny has been telling stories since then, most recently on the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast, ranked in the TOP 0.5% of 3 million global podcasts, and via his two bestselling books, Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader and Build Leadership Momentum: How to Create the Perfect Principal Entry Plan.
He also loves telling stories while facilitating in person leadership workshops at national conferences and for school districts.
Danny’s mission is to help Ruckus Makers Do School Different™.
Soniya, hailing from the culturally rich land of India, is a dynamic professional in the field of web services, crafting digital landscapes. Soniya’s journey into the world of technology is a testament to her unwavering passion and commitment to excellence, transforming ideas into impactful online realities.
Since 2022, Soniya has played an important role in supporting BLBS with her comprehensive website services.
She loves to travel and cook new recipes.
Music is an inspiring art form. Sound is conveyed via the air to the ears of living beings, and each being perceives it in its own unique way, eliciting a certain feeling. Dragan feels the same sensation every time he hears music, from infancy to now, as if it were a part of his existence that he couldn’t fathom living without. Dragan opted to deal with sound his entire life despite his formal degree, and today he is one of the most passionate audio producers you can meet and chat to about sound and music all day long. His enthusiasm for audio production, student-like thinking, and curiosity keep him continually mobile in generating new, quality, and enjoyable sound on a regular basis.
Dragan has been producing BLBS audio and video content since 2020.
My passion for both baseball and literature was the initial catalyst that led me into education. Growing up as a softball player and a die-hard fan of the Chicago Cubs from the North Side of the city, I developed a profound appreciation for the South Side of Chicago, not enough to convert me into a White Sox fan. As a National Board certified teacher, with over 16 years of experience on Chicago’s South Side, my journey as an educator has taken me from my roots in the Windy City to Virginia, as an instructional coach.
From the very beginning, I have been an unwavering believer in the philosophy of BLBS. My journey alongside Danny has been one of daring innovation and audacity, right from the moment he challenged me to say, “boom” and drop the mic during our initial city-wide professional development event. He has cultivated a team capable of winning a World Series, and I am deeply honored to be a part of this community of individuals who consistently push the boundaries and endeavor to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Premaria Mutambudzi is the BLBS Office Administrator, This is her 2nd year, she has served in the administrative field for 5+ years, Prim is originally from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She has been married for 7 years to her husband Takunda, and is blessed with two children.
Prim loves meditation, creative writing, poetry, and reading. In her spare time, Prim is a talented and creative Makeup Artist.
– Head Coach
Sofía’s lifelong search for a profession that would “leave the world a little better than she found it” led her to study philosophy and comparative religions, become a teacher, lead schools and educational projects, work for the Argentine Ministry of Education, contribute as a volunteer in various NGOs and become personally committed to causes that raised awareness about the world’s challenges and the potential of education to overcome them.
She is a practically-minded idealist, a profound believer in people and their potential for good, committed to collaborative leadership environments, and instinctively and naturally drawn to create order and systems in seemingly chaotic contexts.
After more than 30 years in the classroom and almost 20 as a school leader, Sofía now divides her time as Schools Development Manager for Cambridge University Press and Assessment, Executive Secretary for the International Confederation of Principals, Facilitator for the ESSARP Teacher Training Centre in Argentina and BLBS Mastermind Coach.
Each of her current roles allows her to travel near and far while contributing to her own lifelong learning, and that of school leaders across the world, in the slow way she cherishes: one experience, one adventure, one conversation and one relationship at a time.
– Head Coach
Once a roller derby ref, now enjoying “retirement”, Dan’s got some wild tales from the track. Picture this: Dallas, a Division 1 tournament, and Dan’s zipping around as an “outside pack ref” when suddenly, BAM! He gets bulldozed by “Ruthless Red” charging out of the penalty box. But did he stay down? Not a chance! Dan bounced right back up, finished the game like a champ, and jetted off to Barcelona for the World Cup, broken tailbone and all.
Bruises and broken bones couldn’t keep Dan out of the action. Those derby days weren’t just about dodging collisions—they taught him about grit, resilience, and leadership skills that he’s been flexing for 15 years as a school leader. Whether he’s coaching leaders as part of The Ruckus Maker Mastermind™ team or dodging freight trains in the fast-paced world of roller derby, Dan is always willing to lean into the next challenge.
– Head Coach
Jason P. Dropik (Babaamii-Bines / Eagle Clan) is the School Administrator for the Indian Community School (ics-edu.org), in Franklin, WI, which serves Native students in the metro Milwaukee area. A member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (BadRiver-nsn.gov), Jason is committed to supporting students, families, staff, school/community leaders, and the community both near and far.
Having recently completed a two-year term as President of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA.org), he advocated for and spoke on the importance of tribal sovereignty, policy, appropriations, and student support across the country. As a Board Member of NIEA, Jason continues with that work, championing training and providing information for schools and community organizations, while creating visibility and understanding of Indigenous perspectives.
His greatest passion is creating welcoming spaces for students to develop their identity, take pride in their language and culture, and to celebrate the rich legacy and the promising future of Indigenous communities.
– Head Coach
First and foremost, I’m a husband, father and son. I’m someone who is driven by my faith. I’m the Principal of A. Russell Knight Elementary in Cherry Hill, NJ. The Parks are animal lovers. We have 3 dogs and 2 cats. Some things that I’m loving at the moment is playing Pickleball and cooking for my friends and family. I also have the privilege and joy of serving as a BLBS Mastermind coach.
– Head Coach
Back in high school, Jesse used to painstakingly unthread the logos from his clothing and hats so that he wouldn’t be seen as part of the status quo.
He didn’t know it then, but that was the start of his journey as someone who finds unique ways of communicating ideas.
Then when he discovered his connection to youth with disabilities, he realized that he was among experts who’ve been finding ways to do things differently all their lives.
Leaning into these connections has brought him to become the Innovation Lead for a statewide project called I’m Determined – developing and producing animated videos and feature-length movies, facilitating events and building tools and resources for youth, families, and educators – all as ways to help students ink their journeys for the world to see.
As a leadership coach, Jesse is someone whose consistent presence is there to listen and add value and belonging.
– Head Coach
Leadership skills were evident as early as first grade for Paige Kinnaird when the teacher pointed out that “Paige is an eager beaver who completes her own work and then monitors what everyone else is doing.”
This taught Paige the importance of servant leadership. To never expect work from others that she is not fully committed to also putting forth the effort to accomplish.
Paige has used this as the central driving force of her work ever since… a willingness to be part of the work, not just driving the work.
– Head Coach
Karine Veldhoen, M.Ed., is the founder of Learn Forward™ and a creative force in education. While her name may be difficult to pronounce, her mission is simple, to champion extraordinary potential. As an educational leader (15 years) she created the first model Learn Forward™ school while simultaneously founding and serving as Executive Director of Niteo Africa. She’s taught Teacher Candidates at both UBC-O and UNBC and serves as a coach for Better Leaders Better Schools.
In all of her roles, she considers herself a modern-day pilgrim who stands for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Now, she dedicates her professional practice to championing EdLeaders to design thriving schools. When Karine is not carving new paths for education, you’ll find her with her husband and three children, her heart-song.