Professional Development that Wins

After 21 years in education, I've spent a fair amount of time in Professional Development settings. Some of those have been more engaging than others.  I am constantly hearing from my colleagues in education about what they do and don't like about adult learning.  As our Teacher Leadership Program begins the second year of implementation, we wanted to focus on activities and learning that fostered trust, teamwork, coaching, and above all a lot of fun.  Filling eight hours is a daunting task. Who really wants to sit in one spot and listen for eight consecutive hours?  Likely none of us.

After a year of focusing on leadership, Cognitive Coaching, and meaningful professional development training,  Erin Watts and I began to map out our Year 2 kick off plans for our full-time coaches.  Our goal was to provide opportunities to collaborate, gain trust, and hone our team work skills.  All while providing relevant material, nuts and bolts of the program for year two, a review of coaching practice and philosophy, and welcoming five new members to our team.  WOW. Cramming that into one professional day seemed IMPOSSIBLE.

To launch our day,  we started with a TRUST BOOT CAMP.  The four station event was comprised of a trust walk with planks, a hoola hoop relay, pantyhose bowling, and a bean bag toss.  The premise of each station was for your team to complete the goal together in the least amount of time.  Times were compiled to see which team/group had the overall best time.  I struggle to find words to describe the essence of the day.

It was MAGNIFICENT.  

We saw PRODIGIOUS teamwork, MELLIFLUOUS cheering, and heartfelt COMPANIONSHIP. 

Teacher Leaders at Linn-Mar  PD day, August 13th, 2015

Todd Lane calls upon his past gymnast skills during a game of pantyhose bowling.

Teacher leaders@ Linn-Mar participating in bean bag toss and pantyhose bowling.

After a year of building our plane while flying, it actually felt like we were flying.  The greatest moment; the joy and laughter on the faces of our teacher leaders.  PRICELESS.

Ryan Gotto, Sue Atwater, Dana Lampe, Nicole Redington, and C. J. McDonald master the art of the Trust Walk.

After debriefing about our game experience, Erin planned several Ice Breaker activities in between the housekeeping items, and intense material.  It was a winning combination of activities. We provided opportunities for our coaching to partner up in trios or pairs and read, discuss, and practice coaching.  I saw conversations and ideas happening all over the building, in the nooks and crannies of the halls, and in our parking lot.  They were INVESTED. INTENTIONAL. INSPIRED..........and SO WERE WE.  

Jessica Zimmerman, Kim Ophoff, and Beth Hayes engaged in a Cognitive Coaching conversation at a recent PD Day.