MCPS Teachers and Staff: Do awards and spotlight recognitions by BOE and Taylor really help boost morale?

[Anonymous]

It looks like Taylor is using the equivalent of the Gold-Star strategy that many elementary school teachers use to reward young kids for good behavior.

Since Taylor has come into office, he's rolled out A LOT of new "award" programs and recognitions. From what I can tell, he's doing a lot of this because he believes offering up more awards is way to boost employee morale.

He's a quick glimpse at some of the many awards and new recognitions Taylor has trotted out since his arrival:

The MCPS "Fire" Ribbon

The Celebration Express (think this celebrates various union-led awards)

Note: Principal Damon Monteleone does NOT look like he's onboard with the Celebration Express judging by his grimace

The Unreasonable Hospitality Award

Distinguished Service to Education Awards

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mcpsmd/albums/72177720324887054/

Winners Announcement: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/mcps-news/2025/05/2025-mcps-teacher-of-the-year/

Honestly, I'm a bit confused on if this is a separate set of awards or merely a ceremony for the already union-endorsed Staff/Teacher of the Year Awards that are part of the #CelebrationExpress

Note: I only focused on the "awards" MCPS and the BOE seem to own and manage. There are a whole HOST of other awards and recognitions from other associations, state and federal government agencies that also dot the landscape as well. Not to mention all of the BOE officially recognized weeks like "Mental Awareness Week," "National Inclusive Schools Week," etc.

To be clear: I'm an MCPS parent, not a teacher. And while I know on a human level, most people want to be seen and appreciated for what they do, I can't help but put my critical hat on and feel like this stuff might be empty and performative. But that's just me and I'm not the target audience. So here's my question to MCPS staff and teachers: Is this working?

Do these "Fire" Ribbon spotlights and impromptu visits with MCPS leadership and Board of Education members skinning and grinning for a photo op with you make you feel better about coming to work everyday? Does it make you love your job more or at least hate your job less? Do these spotlights and awards help you to be more tolerant of the systemic inequities, frustrations and barriers?

Do teachers and staff up their game everyday in the hopes of being featured and spotlighted in a social media post as a result of all these recognition opportunities?

If so, I'm glad to hear it. If this motivates MCPS staff to do and be their best, then I'm happy.

If not, are you all telling anyone in the system your true feelings about this stuff?

[Anonymous]

I think when people, regardless of their profession, are recognized for their hard work that it is a positive thing. I don’t know if it boosts morale, but I think recognizing excellent work is good.

[Anonymous]

You must be fun at parties

[Anonymous]

Recognizing staff is important but this ain't it.


It's a way for Taylor to avoid doing the hard part of job, and to keep the camera on himself.

No one asked for Taylor. His approval means nothing.

[Anonymous]

OP, positive reinforcement is far more motivating than negative reinforcement. I wish my boss realized that, and certainly don't criticize Taylor for these efforts (I criticize him for many other things but not this)

[Anonymous]

Aw, look at Mr Nance’s big old grin! He has been with MCPS for 30+ years and well deserves the recognition.

Do I think employees up their game to get one of these awards? No. Do I think recognizing people who are doing good work because they care helps sustain their commitment and inspire others to do good work and not just phone it in? Yes.

[Anonymous]

As a teacher, and an employee in general, being recognized for anything I am doing is always a nice thing. Even if it feels a little bit like a participation award, it's still nice to know that somebody noticed and cared that I am doing my job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aw, look at Mr Nance’s big old grin! He has been with MCPS for 30+ years and well deserves the recognition.

Do I think employees up their game to get one of these awards? No. Do I think recognizing people who are doing good work because they care helps sustain their commitment and inspire others to do good work and not just phone it in? Yes.

Since you seem to be a Blair staffer, is Principal Damon generally that grumpy looking or did the photographer catch him in an awkward moment?

[Anonymous]

Not that way.

[Anonymous]

It’s all smoke and mirrors

Someone should look into how much all these new awards are costing the system. It’s not a small number.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s all smoke and mirrors

Someone should look into how much all these new awards are costing the system. It’s not a small number.

I'm sure the Parents' Coalition will tally that up for us soon. She's on Taylor's neck when it comes to spending for this stuff.

[Anonymous]

The gold star gala was a gross misuse of funds (MCPS parent and staff member). I asked a few colleagues and they all agreed that it was distasteful for MCPS to spend all that money on a party at the Hilton in the middle of slashing special education staffing and cutting general education teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The gold star gala was a gross misuse of funds (MCPS parent and staff member). I asked a few colleagues and they all agreed that it was distasteful for MCPS to spend all that money on a party at the Hilton in the middle of slashing special education staffing and cutting general education teachers.

+1

[Anonymous]

I mean this Gold Star Gala was likely planned and paid for months before any of these cuts were planned. Is the county just supposed to punt a ton of likely non-refundable deposits in the name of good optics?

[Anonymous]

Oh and I am one of the Special Ed teachers who got cut today as well. I'm still not mad over this gala as I am smart enough to know that events that take place today are paid for like 6 months ago.