The Graham Stamp! {Praise the actions you want to see repeated}

Years ago, I was reading about the coaching philosophy of legendary UNC basketball Coach Dean Smith when I came across one of his core tenants, "Praise the actions you want to see repeated."  This simple mantra became a throughline in my teaching career, and remains a central tenant of my beliefs about rewarding student effort and greatness.  I have always hoped to build a classroom culture that is centered on positivity - and one in which students feel acknowledged and praised for hard work and achievement. 

And this very concept has helped me grow as a person, as complimenting people is literally one of my favorite things to do.  I just love to watch people be rewarded for accomplishing something, so being a teacher is a good gig for this!

Anywhooo - my wife presented me with an incredible gift in a stamp, with my face, giving a thumbs up.

 We have taken to calling it "The Graham Stamp" and I LOVE using it on my students' work. Now I can praise the actions I want to see repeated through pressure and ink!