FTI 2008 - CAROLYN McKANDERS
The Adaptive School: A Four-Day Certificate Program
(A Collaboration between NESA and the Center for Adaptive Schools)
In this special, extended four day “Adaptive Schools” institute (running October 29-November 1, 2008), teams** will learn how to build strong, collaborative yet caring work cultures in which results-oriented educators work together for continuous school improvement. They will also explore the latest practical findings in organizational development, team learning and management of the change process.
Participants will come to understand the theoretical background behind successful collaboration as well as acquire tools and strategies for developing groups that share a sense of collective responsibility for student learning. In addition, participants will learn and practice ways to structure and facilitate productive meetings—meetings that operate according to sound norms and in which participants become increasingly skilled in goal setting, group dynamics, problem solving, decision making and self-assessment. Experienced facilitators will increase their ability to accelerate group development. This workshop is specially designed to increase the effectiveness if those who convene, facilitate or participate in work teams, site councils, shared decision making groups and faculty committees.
Outcomes:
Participants will develop:
• An increased capacity to initiate, develop and sustain high functioning groups
• An expanded repertoire of practical facilitation and communication tools
• Understandings of when and how to engage groups in dialogue and/or discussion to promote shared meaning and reach decisions that are fully implemented
• Ways to value and use conflict and dissension as a resource
• Strategies for keeping group members on track, energized and resourceful
The Adaptive Schools Four-Day Agenda:
Day #1: Entering the Territory: exploring “professional community”; understanding the notion of “adaptivity” and the conceptual framework of “The Adaptive School”; appreciating different ways of talking
Day #2: Developing Groups: exploring norms of collaboration; increasing group member capabilities
Day #3: Meetings Inside and Out: exploring five group energy sources; understanding the principles and implementing the practices of successful meetings
Day #4: Conflict and Community: understanding how to use conflict as a resource; converting negative energy to positive use.
In addition, each day the presenter willuse a Triple Track Agenda, explicitly charting facilitator strategies and moves…
1. that are used during the workshop for increased participant learning
2. that can be utilized back at worksites with other adults and in classrooms with students
**Important note:
This institute is designed for teams. Schools must send at least two participants.
To encourage larger teams, NESA will give a 50% discount for every 4th registrant (e.g., the first three participants pay the full fee; the fourth pays 50%).
CAROLYN McKANDERS, MA, MSW, is an independent educational consultant specializing in individual, group and organizational development. She is Co-Director of the Center for Adaptive Schools, an organization whose mission is to help schools develop and sustain professional collaborative cultures by developing technical and social resources to realize continuing student improvement. Ms McKanders’ passion is promoting quality human relationships through communication, collaboration, and leadership skills development. She has 28 years of experience in Detroit Public Schools as a teacher, counselor and staff development specialist. Her expertise includes providing polarity management training that helps organizations identify and manage competing tensions inherent in social systems. <kmckanders@aol.com>