In her third year of being a falcon, Mrs. Theis makes sure the entire staff has something to look forward to at least once a week with her “National Day” gifts.
National days give people a reason to celebrate a normal Tuesday. For example, National Salami Day, National Ants On a Log Day and National Peanut Butter Cookie Day; they bring fun to any seemingly regular day. Not everyone celebrates national days, but it’s Theis’s specialty.
“Being at so many different schools, I have not seen or experienced anything like her gifts,” Assistant Principal Mr. Horton said.
Theis has been giving staff National Day gifts since she worked at her old elementary school. Bringing this tradition with her has had a tremendous impact on the morale of the teachers and staff, giving them something to be a part of while also strengthening relationships.
“One of her best personality traits is that she loves to celebrate anything worth celebrating,” Campus Instructional Coach Mrs. Linehan said. “She goes all in.”
In addition to planning and coordinating the details, Theis supplies these gift days with her own time and money.
“It’s very touching and considerate of her to share her time and energy in this way,” Ms. Franklin said. “It always brings a smile to my face when she sends out the message to staff that it’s a national day. Knowing she’s excited makes me happy for her.”
She doesn’t just do national food days, she also does other national days like National Play-Doh Day or National Joke Day. Theis never tells them what day it’s going to be, it’s always a surprise for the teachers and staff.
“Above all, it’s just a very genuine and generous thing to do that we all appreciate,” Horton said.
