Student Contributor: A. Lester
An Outstanding You is given to students mostly by teachers for good behavior, doing great on an assignment, being helpful, or anything that ties back to the school motto of being Responsible, Respectful, and Safe. They can then be used in different ways depending on the teacher/classroom. These are helpful because students know the ways in order to earn them, so they want to be on their best behavior in order to gain an Outstanding You.
Teachers and staff members can use an Outstanding You to reward students when they notice how well the student is doing. This can be in terms of schoolwork, classroom conduct, playing on the playground, etc. An important element to keep in mind is to hand them out when the student has truly improved on a specific aspect. By doing this, it can help the student’s intrinsic motivation to keep up the good work that has now been observed. My experience with these is that students feel as though someone is appreciating their hard work and kindness. Whenever I want to give one to a student, I wait until I can give it to them one-on-one and tell them why they are receiving one. It allows the student to feel some individuality in receiving it.
This tool relates to the Three Phases and the Theories of Influence by supporting students throughout the year by recognizing improved and ongoing good behavior and hard work. I have placed it in the Supportive Phase specifically for that reason. It could also relate to the corrective phase as well. If a teacher is needing something to try and help a student improve, then they may turn to using Outstanding You’s to help guide the student towards a goal.
More Information –
Tool Source: My mentor teacher at Loon Lake Elementary
I implemented this management technique in a 4th-grade classroom in a suburban school district with 24 students. I prepared for this tool by ensuring I had many slips pre-printed for my students because of the unpredictability of how many I could pass out to students. At the school, I teach, instead of calling them “Outstanding You” slips they are called “Pride Slips” but still supportive and rewarding the students. It was easy to implement in the classroom because the school had a similar technique. It was harder keeping up having to identify students constantly ensuring every student gets noticed for their improvements or hard work. The tool motivated students to work hard without being asked or telling the teacher how well they did because they knew the teacher would award them for their work. It focuses on student-directed & collaboration because students are supported by doing what the teacher expects of them. The adjustments to make it even better is telling your students a set list of elements the teacher is looking for to earn an “Outstanding You” slip.
I did this with my Kindergarten class (19 students) and they really enjoyed doing this. I noticed that when a few students recieved these, other students became influenced, and worked hard so they could earn one too. I think that this tool helped support students in ways that they needed while also supporting students throughout the year. I do think that this tool is a good tool to use for students who may need the guidance or guide to their goals. As stated above, I think that with students being recognized for their hard work also helps the students stay motivated and engaged or even wanting to help other students as well. I will definitely use this tool in my future classroom.