I love to read. I’ve been known to read two books in one day. Of course, those were fiction and I was sitting at the beach, but it tells you how much I appreciate a good book.

Fiction books aren’t the only ones on my shelf, though. I’ve read many business books over the years for professional development, to find inspiration, or, quite honestly…because I was forced to. You’ll find books about Customer Service, Sales, Marketing and Leadership in my collection. From the likes of recognized gurus Seth Godin and Ken Blanchard, as well as up-and-comers like Dale Partridge, my tastes and interest ranges based on my current experience and needs.

Teachers and school staff are committed, hard working, and dedicated professionals who rarely receive the recognition they deserve. The busy nature of schools makes it common to forget to say a simple “thank you” or “great job” to teachers, volunteers, and staff. Regardless of our hectic schedules, taking the time to recognize the people at your school can have a huge impact on school spirit and morale.

As the school year comes to a close, it’s important to give your teachers and staff a proper summer send-off. Consider these five tips to make your appreciation memorable and impactful!

What comes to mind when you think about substitute teachers? For me, spitballs, goofing off, movies, and shenanigans top the list. Sure, these may be cliché, but there is truth to the fact that substitute teachers walk in to less than "controlled" environments all across the nation on a daily basis. It's not easy. And just when they're starting to build a foundation of respect and rapport, they get called in for another assignment.

It's that time of year again, Labor Day signaled the end of summer and school is back in session. Do you have everything you need to be prepared for this school year?