Table of Contents

Dedication
Introduction
Acknowledgments
About the Author
About the Illustrator
I. Appreciation & Recognition
1. Group Recognition - Formal Activities
Years of Service Awards
Attendance Awards
Recognition From the Boss
Appreciation Events & Awards
End-of-the-Year Appreciation
Teacher Recognition
Above & Beyond the Call of Duty
Non-Employee Awards
Team Awards
Staff Appreciation Day or Week
Staff Newsletter
2. Group Recognition - Informal Activities
General Recognition
Gifts of Time
Special People Recognition
Name Recognition
Food Rewards - Yum!
Symbols of Recognition
Words of Thanks & Praise
Rewards for Meeting Goals
3. Individual Recognition
General Recognition
Special Recognition
Written Praises
Trying New Things...Good & Bad
II. Fun Ways to Spend Work Days
4. From the Beginning
New Year Starters
Get-Acquainted Activities
Staff Meetings
5. Through the Day
Professional Development Fun
Food & Fun
"Lunch Bunch" Activities
Your Attitude Is Showing!
No Special Reason...Just for Fun
Dress-Up Events
Counting the Days
6. To the End & Beyond
"Fun-Raisers" & Community Service
Label It Generous
End-of-the-Year Activities
Other Group Activities
After-Hours Network
III. Celebrating With Coworkers
7. Caring & Sharing
Welcoming a New Staff Member or Boss
Administrative Professionals Week
Get-Well Activities
Birthdays
Resignation or Retirement
Farewell Gifts
Think Spring!
8. Celebrating Holidays
Holiday Calendar
Valentine′s Day
Easter
Halloween
Christmas
Holiday Gifts & Exchanges
"White Elephant" Events
Staff Gifts
Holiday Communications
Holiday Events
IV. Celebrate Yourself
9. Appreciate Yourself
Self-Affirmations
"The Best Thing About Today Was" Journal
Self-Affirmations Corner
Professional Portfolios
Your Office Environment
Daily Schedule
Index

About the Author

Diane Hodges is the managing partner of Threshold Group, an educational consulting firm in San Diego. After 30+ years as an educator, she is sharing her insights through books and international speaking events. Her wit and humor have delighted audiences and readers everywhere. She has served as an executive director of career and technical education, director of instructional services, director of human resources, secondary principal, counselor, and instructor. She earned her doctorate from Michigan State University, has received twelve national and state awards, and is a best-selling author of eight books.

Reviews

"This book is well thought out, well written, and thorough. It contains page after page of examples and is a one point source for ways to make Monday mornings less tedious and more fun. Want to make your employees look forward to the workweek? This is the ′must have′ book for you."
*William Warren, Instructional Manager/Teacher*

"Every administrator needs a copy of this book . . . and should keep it on the top of the ′To Do Pile′."
*Nelda Howton, Principal*

"The timing of this book is invaluable as our district addresses staff recruitment and retention goals."
*Stephen Kleinsmith, Superintendent*

"This book is for every well-intended administrator or frustrated staff member! It shows the power of positive reinforcement and the importance of recognition and appreciation in our schools today."
*Bob Nelson, President*

"As a professional trainer, Looking Forward to Monday Morning is a marvelous addition to my collection of icebreakers and team building exercises. Organizations that implement even a few of the ideas in this book will find they have happier, more productive employees who enjoy coming to work."
*Allen Dietz*

"Through the use of subtle humor, Hodges gives us extensive ideas and examples of ways we can improve our individual workplace environments. This book was truly enhanced by the inclusion of personal experiences by the author."
*Shawna Mahaffey, Professor of Business*

"In the spirit of the holiday season we gave all faculty, board members, administrators, and counselors copies of the book."
*Susan Symons, Director*

"Diane Hodges reminds us that there is a vast difference between compensation (the money) and recognition...many talented people leave good jobs and good money simply because they do not feel appreciated or valued as people.  Buy the book, read the examples, but even more important, follow through.  Go on, show someone you appreciate them!"
*Nurturing Potential, Issue 18*

"If you ever wanted to thank your staff but didn’t know how, this is the book for you. Hodges notes that surveys show that recognition for a job well done ranks higher as a motivational factor than wages and job security. Principals and managers who actively show how much they value their employees build a positive climate that filters down to students. The ideas contained in this book are sure to tickle your staff and build morale."
*Principal Magazine*