Before the Last Day of School, Do This for Every Employee

Before the last day of school, there is one thing I wish every principal would do. Individually talk to every employee. Every teacher, every paraprofessional, every custodian, every office staff member, every cafeteria worker. Everyone. No matter their position, no matter your relationship with them, and no matter how the year went.

Take a few minutes and thank them. Thank the ones who are coming back, thank the ones who are leaving, and thank the ones who are retiring. Celebrate them and acknowledge what they’ve given to the campus this year. That matters more than you think.

It’s easy to spend this time of year focused on everything that didn’t go right. It’s easy to get caught up in stress, frustration, and just trying to get across the finish line. But people remember how you made them feel, especially at the end of the year, and this is where leadership shows up in a very real way.

It’s not always about big systems or major decisions. Sometimes it’s about slowing down long enough to look someone in the eye and say, “I appreciate what you did this year.” Even if it was a tough year with that person, even if you had disagreements, and even if they filed a grievance against you, it still matters.

Leadership is about people, all people, and how you handle these moments says a lot about you. The way you celebrate the people who are leaving says just as much as how you support the people who are staying. Your staff is watching that. They notice it and they talk about it.

Those short conversations build trust, close the year with dignity, and set the tone for what kind of place your campus is. Before the last day of school, make the time, go find your people, and thank them.

John