Tansey principal takes to Twitter to praise teachers and staff

FALL RIVER — Like a proud dad, Chris Audet had to find a way to brag about his family.

In this case, it isn’t his traditional family getting daily online praise via Twitter; rather it’s his professional family, the Tansey Elementary School staff, which has been dispersed due to the COVID-19-induced school shutdown in Massachusetts.

Every morning, since April 20, Audet, Tansey's energetic principal, has taken to the school Twitter account to post a video tribute to one of the school’s employees.

Audet said he originally thought of this as a teacher appreciation device. But he quickly decided to expand it to the entire Tansey staff – custodial, office, etc.

First of all, admitting he’s never above borrowing a good idea, Audet, when pressed, said he came up with the Twitter tribute video on his own.

“I made a schedule, emailed it to parents with the idea, and it came to life from there,” Audet said in a text. “Tansey is a small school, so I know the teachers really well. They’re very passionate about their craft, so it makes it very easy for me to speak passionately about them. I usually write a few bullets on a sticky note, and record myself first thing in the morning. I typically post the video right after recording it.”

Audet said the Twitter tributes have thus far been “very well received.”

In the email sent to parents, Audet asked that they not only watch the daily video on Twitter but do their best to share it via any and all social media or email. He also said in the email: “I need your help to show our teachers and staff how much they are loved! It's important to hear, especially at this difficult time. I know that teachers would love to hear from current and former students. Please be creative, and join me in honoring our amazing staff.”

Audet did the math and figured the tributes will run to late May.

Email Greg Sullivan at gsullivan@heraldnews.com. Follow him @GregSullivanHN.