Woot Woot Wagon

The Woot Woot Wagon

By Michelle Kenney and Aimee Lockner

In October 2021, we attended the OMLA conference in Columbus. While there, we attended a session presented by Veronica Gaier (Lehman High School) and Sarah Jane Magoteaux (Picqua Intermediate School) on the importance of boosting school morale. Veronica and Sarah Jane shared successful strategies that were implemented within their schools to celebrate staff.  One of these ideas in particular, the Woot Woot Wagon, stood out to us. With this, staff members anonymously nominate colleagues who they felt were going above and beyond using the "Cheers from Peers” nomination Google Form. After receiving nominations, they would print them out for everyone to have, and select one special staff member per grade level/team to visit with the Woot Woot Wagon. Selected staff members were surprised with the wagon and could choose a variety of treats. We left the conference feeling inspired and hopeful to implement something similar at Olmsted Falls. 

After sharing the idea with our administrators, it was clear that the need for positivity and staff appreciation was felt across the board. We presented the concept to our colleagues and immediately received positive feedback. Over 70 nominations were submitted in December, representing staff from a variety of positions throughout the school. After “blinging out” a donated wagon with flashing lights and a bright sign, we filled the wagon with sweet and salty snacks, K-Cups, and fun desk accessories for the winners to choose from. On the day of celebration, the wagon was accompanied by music and dancing as the honorees were surprised in their classrooms full of students. The reactions throughout the school were both positive and uplifting. Some students in the hallways even joined in with the dancing! With so many challenges impacting those of us who interact with students daily, it was great to be able to take a few moments to recognize and appreciate teammates who are selfless, have great hearts, and do the most for students, and we are excited to carry on this tradition of celebrating our staff!

-Woot Woot