One recent day when preschool teacher Virginia Pfatteicher was absent, her high school students were able to run the preschool class on their own.

Assistant Principal Brandon Whitefield was in the classroom and noticed how well prepared the students were. As a result, Pfatteicher was the first winner of a new initiative, Highlander High Five, which is designed to improve the culture of the high school by encouraging positive interaction between students and staff. 

Highlander High Five was created by a staff panel called the Positive Behavior Interaction Support (PBIS) team. The program aims to enhance the mood of both teachers and students and improve the dynamic between them. 

Any time teachers show an exceptional act of kindness toward someone, they have a chance to receive what is called a “high five,” which is the program’s form of recognition. A raffle among “high five” recipients then will determine a winner, who will get prizes such as gift cards and candy.

Pfatteicher was surprised to be the program’s first winner.

“I was completely shocked. I had no idea these awards were being given out. But I was also very excited and it felt good to know that others noticed the work that you did,” Pfatteicher said. “I think this program is great and important for students to know that a kind word from a student is just as valuable to all teachers as an award like this is.”

Whitfield, a PBIS member, is enthusiastic about the program and involved in getting it off the ground.

“Mr. Whitfield observes my class regularly and even helps us out sometimes. He can see how much training there is for the high school students,” Pfatteicher said.

Currently, the principals are in charge of nominating and rewarding school staff who display kindness. PBIS member Christopher Reilsono said it will be easy to get recognized.

“Any and all that represent an extraordinary act or effort can win,” Reilsono said.

Although only school staff can be recognized right now, PBIS members have additional plans for the program’s future. They would like to increase its popularity and its scope. 

School counselor Carly Kaercher alluded to the possibilities for expanding the program.

“Our hope is that we will be able to include students and have students recognizing both teachers and students and vice versa. So we are hoping to have everyone involved. But the beginning stages of Highlander High Five are supposed to model it,” Kaercher said.