Back-to-Class Season: 5 Fun Ways to Reignite Faculty Motivation

Administration Department
1 day ago
3 min read

Post Date: August 17, 2025

Category: Faculty Life | Campus Culture

The start of a new term brings fresh energy, new students, and a calendar full of deadlines but let’s be honest… faculty need some love too.

At Theoria Technical College, we believe that motivated, inspired faculty are the heart of a thriving academic community. So as the new quarter kicks off, we’re sharing 5 fun, lighthearted, and totally doable ways to reignite motivation, spark joy, and build a sense of connection among our teaching team.

1. Theme Days for Faculty & Staff

Bring some flair into the week with low-stress, high-fun theme days. These are great conversation starters and easy morale boosters that create a sense of community on campus and online.

Some ideas to get you started:

Throwback Thursday: Wear something vintage from your teaching days—or your student days!
Color Clash Monday: The brighter and bolder, the better.
Book Character Friday: Dress as your favorite literary or academic figure.

Bonus tip: Offer a small prize or shout-out for best participation in the faculty group chat or staff meeting.

2. Surprise Students with Something Sweet

Sometimes the best way to lift your own mood is to lift someone else’s. Pick one day early in the term to do a simple classroom surprise for your students:

A kind note on their first assignment
An encouraging video message
A small treat (real or virtual!)

You’ll be surprised how much a little joy-giving can restore your own motivation.

“On the first day, I handed out mini notebooks with a note that said, ‘Your thoughts matter here.’ My whole class lit up. It reminded me why I teach.” — Theoria Adjunct Faculty

3. Peer Shout-Outs: Faculty Fuel for the Soul

Set up a Faculty Shout-Out Wall, virtual or physical, where staff can recognize each other for small wins, support, or positive vibes.

Examples include:

“Thanks for helping me navigate the new gradebook!”
“Your Zoom energy is unmatched, seriously inspiring.”
“Appreciated your reminder about the syllabus updates!”

If you're a department lead, read one shout-out at the start of each meeting to boost connection and appreciation.

4. ‘Tea Time’ Tuesdays (or Office Hours with a Twist)

Create space for casual, no-agenda faculty check-ins. Whether it’s 30 minutes over Zoom or a standing meet-up in the staff lounge, the goal is simple: connection without pressure.

Include:

An open-door invite
Optional prompts like “What surprised you this week?”
Light snacks or a digital tea/coffee theme

It’s not about productivity; it’s about pausing, laughing, and remembering we’re in this together.

5. Motivation Minute: Share Your “Why”

Ask each faculty member to share a 60-second response to this question:“Why do you teach?”

These can be:

Sent in through email or voice message
Shared during a staff meeting
Turned into a collage or end-of-week video

It’s amazing how reconnecting with your personal mission can reignite passion when the calendar gets crowded.

Because Inspired Teachers Inspire Students

Here’s a quick recap of ways to fuel your fire this fall:

Motivation Idea	Why It Works
Theme Days	Brings fun and breaks routine
Student Surprises	Rebuilds purpose through joy
Peer Shout-Outs	Builds connection and community
Tea Time Check-Ins	Supports mental health and casual bonding
Motivation Minute	Reconnects you with your mission