Teacher Appreciation Week — 7 Gratitude Practices for You and Your Students (No Pizza Required)

In this special episode of A Work of Heart, Dr. Ilana Nankin and Michael Fenchel celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week by moving beyond pizza parties to explore the radical impact of gratitude. Research shows only 25% of teachers feel recognized—we’re here to close that gap. Learn how shifting your mindset to an "Attitude of Gratitude" can enhance your well-being, rekindle your passion, and create a more connected classroom. We share three tangible practices from our Master’s program that you can use immediately to "fill your own cup" and support your students.Best MomentsWhy gratitude is a functional tool for surviving the burnout crisis in education.Ilana shares the "miracle" of her recovery after a 44ft climbing fall and how it changed her perspective on being alive.The moving story of Susan Givens and how gratitude sustained her through her final days.A live "Pure Cheer" exchange between Ilana and Michael that demonstrates the power of being truly seen.What You’ll LearnThe 3 Depths of Gratitude: How to apply appreciation to yourself, your relationships, and the world at large.Grateful For Me: A simple 4-step practice to honor your own mind, body, and heart.The Treasure Chest: A visualization tool to store and recall moments of joy during challenging times.Pure Cheer: How to give and—more importantly—actually receive appreciation without brushing it off.Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Closing the Teacher Recognition Gap 02:33 — Collective Breaths of Gratitude 03:18 — The Science and Power of a Gratitude Mindset 11:04 — Practice #1: Grateful For Me 17:50 — Practice #2: The Treasure Chest (Attitude of Gratitude) 26:44 — Practice #3: Pure Cheer (Giving and Receiving) 30:55 — Live Practice: Michael and Ilana’s ExchangeAbout Breathe For Change We empower educators to unlock Human Intelligence through our accredited Master’s program. When you learn to breathe, the whole system changes.Connect With Us Subscribe to A Work of Heart on your favorite platform. Learn more about our Master’s of Education at BreatheForChange.com and follow our community’s journey on social media.