The start of a new school year brings fresh energy, goals, and opportunities. However, let’s be honest. Inservice week can sometimes feel very long. As a principal, your job isn’t just about organizing logistics. It’s about inspiring your team and setting the tone for the months ahead.
Here are meaningful, motivational activities to boost morale, build connection, and ensure your staff walks into day one with full hearts and clear purpose.
“Why I Teach” Story Circle
Give staff time to reflect and share why they chose education. Let volunteers tell a short story about a student, mentor, or moment that reminded them of their purpose. You’ll be amazed at how this reconnects people to their “why” or their ikigai.
How to run it:
- Provide reflection prompts ahead of time:
- “What moment made you feel proud to be a teacher?”
- “Who inspired you to go into education?”
- Give everyone sticky notes to write a few thoughts.
- Ask for volunteers to share with the group or in small circles.
Use digital tools:
Use a video discussion board template in Padlet so that staff to record their “why” and create a digital wall of inspiration.
Surprise Welcome Back Gift Bag
Create small, personalized gift bags with staff names, snacks, school swag, sticky notes, and a heartfelt note from you. Add in a funny item, like a stress chicken or themed socks. A little humor and a little heart can make a big impact. These types of small gifts will make staff feel seen and appreciated.
What to include:
- Personalized name tags
- Snacks or coffee gift cards
- Sticky notes and pens
- A handwritten thank-you card
- A small, silly item (tiny trophy, stress toy)
Team-Building Challenge: Marshmallow Tower
Use the classic spaghetti/marshmallow/tape challenge to encourage creative problem solving and build trust among staff. Then debrief with questions.
Instructions for Marshmallow Challenge:
This Facilitator Instruction Document from Cornerstone Dynamics contains instructions on how to conduct the challenge. The materials you will need include sticks of spaghetti, tape, string, and marshmallows. The goal is to build the tallest free-standing structure with the marshmallow on top.
Debrief Questions:
- What helped your group succeed?
- How did your team handle disagreements?
- What lessons can we apply in the classroom?
Vision Board or “One Word” for the Year
Give staff time to create a vision board or choose one word that represents their focus for the year. Hang the boards or words around the lounge or hallway to keep inspiration visible all year.
How to run it:
Provide staff with supplies, like magazines, scissors, glue, and poster board. If going digital, you can provide staff with a Canva Vision Board Template or a Canva One Word Template. Let each staff member create a board with quotes, photos, or one word.
Motivational Speaker or TED Talk Discussion
Spark inspiration by inviting a local educator, student, or parent to speak about the impact teachers have made on their lives or watch a powerful TED Talk together. Up with Then follow this up with small-group discussions.
Ideas:
- Invite a former student or parent to speak about a teacher’s impact.
- Share a short, meaningful TED Talk. For example, Rita Pierson: Every Kid Needs a Champion. This TED Talk empowers teachers to deepen relationships with their students. For more TED Talks, check out 7 TED Talks for Back-to-School Inspiration.
How to follow up:
- Small-group discussions with prompts:
- “What stuck with you?”
- “How can we put this into practice?”
Secret Encouragers
Kick off a week-long “secret encourager” activity. Staff randomly draw names and leave kind notes, memes, coffee, or compliments for their chosen person throughout the week. Reveal names at the end. This kindness activity will build community among your staff.
How to run it:
- Give everyone a name at random.
- Encourage daily encouragement: sticky notes, coffee deliveries, snacks, compliments.
- Reveal names with a celebration at the end of the week.
“I See You” Appreciation Cards
Affirmation cards will lift teachers up and allow them to see their strengths.
How to run it:
- Provide each staff member with 3 blank cards.
- Ask them to write notes to coworkers who’ve made an impact.
- Collect and deliver them or read some aloud.
Use Digital Tools:
You can use Canva Printable Affirmation Cards that staff can write on. In addition, you could create a digital “Wall of Appreciation” using Padlet.
Bonus Ideas
- Human Bingo:
Human Bingo is a game where each participant has a bingo card filled with various statements or characteristics. The objective is to find individuals who match these statements and have them sign the corresponding squares. - Playlist Party:
Ask each person to submit a song that motivates them. Then build a staff playlist for the lounge or morning announcements. - This or That:
This or That is a simple and fun question game where participants choose between two options. It’s a great way to spark conversation, learn about others’ preferences, and even gain insight into their personalities.
Final Thoughts
Inservice is your chance to plant seeds of purpose, connection, and joy. These activities aren’t just fun, they’re foundational. They remind your staff they matter, they belong, and they’re in it together.