The Significance of School Spirit

School spirit is not something concrete. It cannot be seen or touched. It is however something that can be felt immediately upon entering a building or stadium that has it. It's an immediate understanding that everyone is proud of their team, their school and the students that attend there. Building this sense of pride and camaraderie in a school community is important for everyone involved. For students and faculty alike, spirit can be the difference between looking forward to going to school each day and anxiously waiting for each day to end. This difference can be the determining factor of how much students get out of their education and how well they will succeed in the future.

When teachers enjoy coming to work, it's reflected in the way they instruct. Enthusiasm for both the school and their subject will make them more effective as educators. Motivated teachers who feel a sense of pride in their school are more likely to show that passion through creative and interesting lesson plans. They are also more likely to participate in school events outside of the classroom, building a bond with students that will earn them respect and credibility.

For students, school spirit enhances the overall learning experience. It puts them in a better state of mind to retain information in the classroom and encourages them to get involved in extracurricular activities that will mold them into well-rounded people. The pride and sense of community that comes with school spirit also teaches them how to be contributing members of a team; a lesson that will serve them well in their future.

There are many things schools can do to build this sense of spirit amongst their students, teachers and administrators. Some of these include:

Create fun traditions that encourage participation.
Traditions bring people together and make them feel like they are part of something bigger. Pep rallies, fight songs or class time capsules are great because they are easy to implement and allow everyone to participate. They don't require any special skills or talents and can be done on a regular basis to create a team environment.

Make school fun.
Obviously it is important for kids to focus on their studies, but there are many fun things that can be added to the school day without being a distraction. Consider holding contests like float building or face painting to see which individual or class as a whole can show the most school spirit.

Give teachers free admission to all games and activities.
It's important that the faculty feels as involved as the students. Waiving admission fees for staff members sends a message that their attendance is important and encourages them to get involved.

Utilize spirit merchandise.
Products printed with a school logo or mascot can be a great way for fans to make a statement at pep rallies, sporting events and other school activities. Cheering items like pom-poms, foam fingers or noise makers can bring fans together and magnify their impact. Apparel such as school t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts or golf shirts are a great way to unite school members and make them immediately recognizable to each other and the community. They can also be a great way to raise extra money for clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities.

School spirit is about more than homecoming and mascots. It is about creating a positive environment every day where kids are getting the most out of their education. Building this atmosphere doesn't happen overnight and is not the responsibility of any one individual. Teachers, administrators, students and even parents can each take steps that will truly make a difference.