Being the Educational Hype Girl: 4 Steps to Uplifting the Adults in the Room
The Sunday scaries are here. As I return to school tomorrow, I’m filled with some worries about transitioning back into a routine, both at school and at home. Still, there is something special about working in education. The work we do is deeply meaningful, unpredictable, and exhausting at times. Sometimes we forget that while we pour ourselves into hyping up our students, lesson after lesson, our burnout often comes from forgetting to hype up the adults around us.
This school year, my goal is to continue to bring that same light to my peers that I bring to my students. We all need a hype person cheering for each other. Uplifting our fellow educators can make transitions and some of the most tiring points in the semester more bearable.
With purpose-driven encouragement and support for each other, we can all become the hype person for each other in our schools.
1. See the Best in People
Teachers often become unseen in their respective buildings. We silo ourselves in our classrooms, move quickly through the office, and forget to take a beat during our planning periods. Instead of rushing through each day, let’s take time to make our colleagues feel seen.
When someone tries a new tech tool, ask them to share the results. Is a colleague starting a new extracurricular activity for kids? Ask how you might show support. When a teacher produces a creative lesson, tell others about it in the staff room. Mention successes to leadership. Write a note or send a text—whatever works. Don’t let other people’s shine go unnoticed.
Note: If your work bestie doesn’t like public shoutouts, handwritten cards can be even more personal and meaningful.
At ISTE, I attended an incredible session about celebrating others. A small and intentional step toward seeing and amplifying the best in the colleagues around us makes the school and environment shine for our students.
2. Show Up with Energy, Even When You Don’t Have It
Even on days when we are feeling tired, let’s be intentional with the energy we bring into our workspace. Focusing our energy on positivity and enthusiasm makes us feel more vibrant. Our energy is contagious.
A well-timed “You’ve got this” or “I believe in what you’re doing here” can change a person’s perspective or serve as the spark a colleague needs to get through the day. When you’re still feeling like your energy is low, borrow someone else’s energy. Collaborate. Laugh. Take a lap with a coworker between classes. Hype isn’t always loud. Sometimes it is just a consistent and encouraging presence.
This summer, my husband and daughters were in a musical. I had a few colleagues decide to come to see the show together to surprise them (and me). Their presence and the simple act of showing up fueled me. When we show up, we bring our energy with us, and that collective energy is powerful.
3. Name the Wins, Not Just the Work
Educators are champions at doing the work but not always at celebrating it. Being a hype person means creating space to pause, reflect, and celebrate what others have accomplished. Staff shout-out boards can be great for naming the wins. Intentional conversations during a passing period with a friend can be just as powerful. Let’s name the wins we see. Normalize being proud, and normalize being grateful for the amazing people we share a workspace with.
I co-host a podcast in my district. I am so excited to continue to elevate people's stories and name their good work.
4. Be a Mirror
Sometimes people forget to look at how far they’ve come or struggle to see the value they create each day. This year, let’s remind our colleagues of the impact they have. Growth occurs over time, and sometimes we don’t notice when we are making progress in the moment. Being a mirror reminds us to reflect the greatness we see in others.
TED Talks strives to amplify ideas worth spreading, and we can do that as well. Recommend their names in meetings. Celebrate colleagues in rooms they are not in, and celebrate their success.
Through the Google Innovator Academy, I was blessed with a small group of women who have continued to identify and celebrate each other's successes. Supporting and seeking to elevate each other's work is important, but also giving it a name for each other has fueled us all to continue to innovate. Sometimes we can't see our strengths ourselves, but when we can identify them for each other, we can carry forward with the work.
Remember, we all need a hype person in our corner. When we intentionally practice these steps, we help build a culture of celebration. Remember, another person’s shine makes the path brighter for us all. See the best in others, name their wins, and be a mirror that reflects their goodness back to them.
We’re going to make this year amazing.