Facilitators

Facilitators' Reflections

Thank you all again for facilitating a session today at the Leadership Academy. Just wanted to provide you the opportunity to share any feedback that you have about how the sessions went with your groups and provide any suggestions or ideas for next week. Just ckicl edit this page and add your commments below and then click SAVE. Thanks again!


 * Amy G**. - I thought the sessions went very well and the participants really enjoyed collaborating and sharing ideas. I would have liked a few more minutes as we were not able to share out at the end of the Give One Get One session. Did you find the same in yours or did you have enough time?

**CHANGES I WOULD SUGGEST:**
 * Laura T**. - I facilitated the second session. At first the two schools seemed a bit hesitant to write their answers on the chart paper, but I think that they were still thinking and reaching concensus. I reassured them that grammar did not count and that their answers did not have to be complete sentences and that helped. Once the conversation was initiated, things went well. The schools talked about tech approaches and PD appraches they have used and wished they have used. They really rose to the occasion. One comment that came out of the session observers was that a model tech vision may have been helpful. What is the opinion on providing a model? Stilts creativity or launches innovative thought?
 * Vicki G**. - Give One, Get One was great in my room. I had the last room so it was pretty sparce with participants - but they loved the idea and actually shared that it was a fun activity. They liked working with new people too. I agree with Amy about giving it more time. I've added 5 extra minutes for this activity in the secondary academy. I forgot to use my timer - and I heard from Amy, Laura, and Judith that using a timer made things run really well. The Vision activity did not go as well, but it wasn't too bad. They loved introducing themselves and realizing they were actually meeting teachers from other schools. They took forever doing the MY / talked about the OUR more than recorded it, and took forever writing their responses on the chart paper.
 * 1) When Jerrod brings in the laptops - open them to the wiki and school - have it ready to go
 * 2) Instead of writing their Vision on the handout - let them type it directly on the wiki to save time.
 * 3) I may provide more markers so all 3 responses can be completed faster. Might need to remind me
 * Gerri M.-** Session 1 went really well. We had enough time but if it was a few minutes longer that would work too. For Session 2 both of my school's principals were not there and I think it influenced the ownership related to the School Success Plans. Also neither group took the time to respond to the questions personally ("My") before writing out the group's thoughts ("OUR"). I also found some hesitation about posting on the chart and sharing. Maybe we don't need a MY and OUR...just taking time to consider the questions before the group discussion is enough....


 * Judith C**. -- Session 1 went very well --- timing was very good. I agree with Gerri, a few more minutes would work too. Session 2 also went well. Both groups got at least a first draft of a vision statement up on the wiki. Next time I will tell participants that on the MY and OUR part they can just write ideas, it doesn't have to be complete sentences. That way they won't spend time wordsmithing there -- they can save that for the actual vision statement.

**Vicki G** - Judith...great idea to just bullet their MY and OUR...I like that. Gerri...I might have taken the MY and OUR out - but I had to make the copies early this time and they are already copied...so I may as well use them. The beauty of us being experienced facilitators is that we can do what and how we want in our rooms as long as the main focus is the main focus. I love teamwork! :-)


 * Amy G**. -Laura-thanks for your feedback. I do have a model vision statement that I can provide and Vicki could email to the leadership teams and post of the SN page with the resources. I think it's a great idea!! I have listed a few of them that I have found below:


 * Sample Vision Statements**

• Magner Academy is dedicated to providing the highest quality educational program with cornerstones that value learning, promote self-worth among students and staff, ensure quality performance among students and staff, and provide transition for students to a productive and responsible participation in society at large.

• HJH is a leading entity providing training, knowledge and consulting services all over the world in the fields of self development and human resources development for individuals and business societies.

• Our classrooms provide environments where the potential for learning is open and free to every student.

• To provide an environment of educational excellence while challenging the academically accelerated individual and accelerating the academically challenged individual.