Moving Forward With Our Strengths

Moving Forward With Our StrengthsStrengths-Based Education Through Strengths-Based LeadershipAugust 26, 2015SD27: Cariboo-Chilcotin Admin TeamChris Wejr www.chriswejr.com

"I come to you humbly not to tell you what to do on your journey but to share with you what I have learned on mine

Wab Kinewcc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Thompson Rivers University: http://flickr.com/photos/thompsonrivers/8518479289/

I have to tell you.. I am no expert. I have been honoured to connect with many educators through social media doing amazing things for kids. I have been privileged to meet many of them and hear their stories. Not here to to tell us what we as schools are doing wrongHonour what you already do and push us to gently nudge us to start with strengths

Share a few stories that will hopefully give us a window in to a strengths-based culture.2

What Matters

twin daughters. Only 4 we have raised them identically yet they are so different. They each have different strengths and strugglesBoth love to dance. Horrible at sitting still. Curiosity, joy for life.I hope their teachers embrace who they are. Embrace their strengths and support their areas of struggle. Tap into their wonderment for life.My students all so different, bring the best of who they are. For many, school is a wonderful place for others, it is a struggle to behave properly and to keep up. My dream I have seen a strengths-based classroom. I have seen a strengths-based school my dream is a strengths-based district.

I have 2 4 year olds. They have such a wonderment for life. Why are the mountains following me? What a teachable moment! Depth perception, speed, velocity... Then went into lens, retina, toss and cones. Apparently my teaching was not that engaging

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The point is that Kids come to school creative and curious with clear interests. Watch centre time or recess. Young kids are not afraid to share their strengths. They say they are good at everything! They also see the strengths and beauty in others.As they get older, something happens... They lose this sense of wonder. This comfort in being creative and curious. Their story changes.

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Learning IntentionsI can share WHY we need to shift to a strength-based model of educationI can share ideas to move to a strength-based model in my school I can create a plan to connect with at least one student and better engage him/her through his/her strengthsI can create a plan on how to create positive change through the strengths of my staff members I can describe how to better connect with the strengths of my colleaguesI can share ideas on how to better share the positive stories and strengths of my school

My hope for when you walk out of hereNot mind blowing stuff just takes a slight shift to a different lensThis is about culturewithout strong culture, we will never get to effective strategy. this is also about engagement. engagement and culture through strengths5

Hoping for sit-n-git PD?

Strengths-Based Education

What is it?7

We dont know who we can be until we know what we can do-- Sir Ken Robinson

in order for our students to learn to be they need to learn what they can do.I agree with Sir Ken but find myself asking yes, so now what? What do we do?

students go through school learning all the things they cannot do and either not realizing the things they CAN do. We have an opportunity in BC right now. So many districts are saying lets try that. There are a lot of changes but also a huge opportunity to create change change that helps create positive stories for students.

There are so many of examples of educators working hard to create the conditions for positive stories of our students.There are still negative stories and identities of student life at school

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Connection is why we are here. We are hardwired to connect with others -- Brene Browncc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by Andrew: http://flickr.com/photos/30235101@N06/3344044448/

It all starts with Relationships. Connection. Interests and strengths. Getting to know students.Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser say each child needs to be able to name 2-3 adults who care about them.Do we know who our students are? Do we know what they are good at? What they do beyond school?Do they feel worthy when they walk through our doors?

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Our stories shape who we are

The stories shape our identities.

the stories that are told to us AND the stories we tellIt takes years for us to explore identities and strengths Our children are building their stories right nowSo how do we build positive stories of student life at school? From what I have seen and in my experience students dont always see themselves in the most positive light and neither do we as adults.

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Stories about ourselvesVideo: http://vimeo.com/66058153

Kids often see the positivesWe learn to be critical and reflect but do we learn to see the negatives too much?Before we can see the strengths in others, we must see the strengths in ourselves.

I know you all have been through a rough few years changes in admin, reconfigurations, a lengthy labour dispute. I am hoping today we can not only help to see the strengths in students but to change the lens altogether and also see the strengths within ourselves and our colleagues.

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The Story of AmyCC Image from Don Kennedy https://flic.kr/p/bn4FAs

Amy - Gr 12, top dancers in the FV . I like to listen to the stories of our students. I interviewed her last year.2 different stories. 2 different identities. Studio - leader who grabs your attention with dance and character heads turn. KRAMERSchool- story of who she is at school, she said she just tries to blend in be invisible. struggles in academics, loves her creative writing and visual arts. favourite teacher - Mr. C. She skipped many but rarely missed Mr. Cs class. Why he encouraged us to be who we are in his class, he was so random singing, writing poetry on an oddly shaped paper share what we learned in ways that worked for us for me, I could write poetry or draw how a story made me feel. Test and quizzesother classes so routine. So fast. Teachers are trying to get through everything Does anyone know about you in school as a dancer? No. bio but nothing done with itAdvice : slow down, be random, be interesting, be interested, 2 stories - We all know our Amys their strength is not noticed at school. They try to be invisible or noticed in negative ways.How can we help to bring their strengths into their world of school and change the story?Throughout this talk think of a child in your your school with a story that needs help changing. Who is your Amy? 12

AgassizCentre for Education

New Stories

From Vancouver Sun

ACE is the alternate school in agassiz - labelled as bad kids. Sandy Balascak created the conditions for these students to change their experiences at school. Change their storiesThe students have become a staple in the Agassiz community 9 to 90. Especially the seniors community. Each Christmas, these bad kids give up their own Christmas morning for seniors. 5am, cook, prepare breakfast and share gifts with local seniors. Became a nation wide news story. Sandy found their strengths and changed the story and changed the community.seniors have gone back to school including 3 over the age of 80 last year.Majority of ACE students graduate with their Dogwood too the staff believe the students can do it, and the students continue to prove them right. 13

89 year old Kay on the far left with 76 year old Maureen in the middle along with other graduates of ACE.In an alternate setting, there is more flexibility but - we tap into the strengths of students, we can help to change their stories of school.We tried to do this at my former school Kent Elementary through an event called Identity Day

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What are strengths?

Skills, Qualities, traits, virtues that lie within people.Arts, athletics, trades, academics and also virtues like empathy, care, resiliency, and courageExist side by side with struggles and weaknessesStrengths can be learned and that is where we can have a huge impact on our students.Some are unaware of their strengths or fail to see their strengths. We can help change the lens. Not about teaching them to think they are awesome at everything. 15

CC Image: http://flic.kr/p/bhvabR Each child has a gift... We need to see and nurture these gifts so they emerge and flourish throughout an individuals life. -- Lorna Williams

Lorna Williams of the Lilwat First NationNOT saying this is polarized we teach kids to AVOID their areas of challenge use their areas of strength to build themselves as learners so they can embrace struggle, effort and growth.Soft? Sure. Powerful? Absolutely.16

STRENGTHSdeficits

As a new teacher, I thought I was going to come in and fix kids. Fix all those that struggled.We often seem to be in the business of fixing kids.As a society, we are often driven by deficits. The disease model. Fix people. Diagnose, interventions. IMPORTANT but we often miss a key part of the story the story of strengths and interests

Which lens? There is power in starting with strengths.. Using the strengths to buiild/17

What we see Depends on what we look for.CC Image by Ryan Haddad https://flic.kr/p/inZ5S

What we focus on gets larger what are we looking for?

Challenge to see strengths in stressful situations large classes, large needs, large curric, little support.It is also difficult and stressful for us to see through the deficit lens.

Step back seek out the positives in our schools.When we look at our challenging students, what do we see? Where is the bar?

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But the other side is unbaked. The side of strengths, the side of what we are good at, the sideof what makes life worth living.

Dr. Martin SeligmanPsychology is half-baked, literally half-baked. We have baked the part about mental illness. We have baked the part about repair and damageImage from Pixgood

Positive Psychology Research did an activity in which people with depression determined their 3 top character strengths and then had to spend time doing NEW things with these strengths for one week. 6 months later still feeling significantly better. They did the same thing in a few schools and achieved positive results in learning, cooperation and social skills. The best part about this was not only did people feel better but they stuck with the activities for the next 6 months without being asked.By focusing on strengths, we not only bring up the deficits but we also create the conditions for people to truly flourish to take those strengths and create more passion, more purpose, and more pride.

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Seligman and others researched and came up with 24 character strengths that crossed cultures, societies, religions, etc.There are questionnaires and surveys to help you as well as students from age 10 decide what their top strengths are. Doesnt mean we dont have the others but there are some in which we have more of. When people get to spend time using these strengths, happiness increases. Mental health increases. Engagement in school increases.It will be interesting to see where this goes in schools.20

The Strength of Dom

Sometimes our greatest struggles become our greatest strengths.Met Dom in my visit to the school when he was in grade 4Asked for him to be in my grade 5/6 class. Was stubborn, withdrawn, reluctant learner met with my principal what is he good at? Didnt know all I knew was that he would not do any work. FIND OUTMet with Dom one recess. Lived with his grandma (mom was too young when she had him), took a bus 2 hours each dayLoved music both loved Johnny CashWas a drumming leader in his community BOOM.Set up our FNSW to work with him at recesses. Asked if he would play in front of class declined but then talked into it. Sang and drummed, beads of sweat huge roar of applause.

Other joined in... Played in in front of our class each Monday. Played in front of our school for every event. Formed a group Sacred Connection. Part of the Pre-Olympic performance. Drummer with all the adults in a Pow-Wow we had at our school.Friendships grew he did the work in class!last day of school he missed the bus. We found him in the class crying. Huge hug. Did not want the year to end.Now 16, Dom spoke at the local Erase Bullying and I spoke to Surrey Supt Jordan Tinney Dom was the highlight.

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Dom continues to lead. Sings and Drums for Kent school events. Will be graduating this year hoping to be a chef.We all have a story of someone like Dom. There is such power in using strengths to change the stories.This next clip is called with a piece of chalk pay attention to your emotions at the start vs at the end.22

A School Built on StrengthsMy students OUR STUDENTS

Kent Elementary OUR STUDENTSPrevious principal and many staff member and parents, community members (esp FN community of Seabird) taught me this.LEADERSHIP roles - flourish- Gardening, big buddy, tech crew, lunch monitors, cheerleading, office helpers, library tech, early morning readers, FN drumming and dancingNot a reward part of the educational experience. Because of the philosophy that each has a strength, we had to rethink how we honoured kids. We had to question if some of the processes we used in school were ignoring some strengths and highlighting others Were we somehow creating stories of students as winners and losers?

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When Placed in Leadership RolesStudents FLOURISH

MY students to OUR students find out what works, what has worked and do more of it!How can each child lead?Why are we afraid to use former teachers who had success with a child? Ask what CAN a child do? When ARE they successful? Schedule this in.Secret Agent assign a child with making one person happy each day or each week. Secretly.Embrace the relationships with other adults in the building.There are also many things we can do within our classrooms.

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Personal ReflectionWhy is strengths-based education important to YOU and your school?CC Image from CatDancing https://flic.kr/p/7MzZGa

We cannot see the strengths in others if we fail to see the strengths in ourselves.

Create a slide that includes your name, your role, a photo, 2 interests, 2-3 strengths, and an area of curiosity (optional: favourite quote, recommended read)

"Without an awareness of your strengths, its almost impossible for you to lead effectively. Tom Rath26

Strengths-Based Education IN ACTION!

Blog: http://bit.ly/NrekwQ

Identity DayOne of the most powerful events I have ever been a part of project about themselves and present to every other student throughout the day. Not graded done with families.Students shared who they were what they loved what they did.Their family, passion, culture. Hockey, lego, dance, FN drumming, jewelry making, gardening, even had a goat and a girl who taught us about her story a story of autism.Shy, lonely art petsConfidence soared. She developed a new identity at school.When I was talking to her mother about bullying she said the anti-bullying ideas had short term impact helping my child share who she was and what she could do made all the difference.28

See Our Strengths - Identity Dayhttp://youtu.be/XRFYlbJvhbI

Giving Students CHOICES

3 times a year for 6 weeks Wednesday afternoons, teachers chose to teach in an area of strength/passion, students chose sessions to learn in an area of interestGardening, ball hockey, science, geology, knitting, basketball, video production, coding, chess, bird watching, 2-way radios, sketching, painting, FN carving, etcI never have to ask How was school today? (parent)30

Student Edcamp Encouraging confidence and leadership in areas of strength and interest. Victoria Woelders

CHOICES

Passion ProjectsInnovation DaysInquiryProject-Based LearningGenius HourOutdoor EducationBlended LearningStudent Edcamp

Tap into strengths and interests of teachers and studentsSlow down take the timeGo through each off the ideasCHOICES - Canoe building, CSI, Glee club, flag football, stop motion video, readers theatre, lego architects, bird watchingA quote from a parent I know on Wednesdays I dont have to ask what did you do in school?... They just tell mePassion projects at LSS Christa BarberisPBL - answer a question, solve a problem, reflect learning in world outside the classroom.

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Start with ONE

Judy and Linda students need 2-3 adults who they know care for them and want them to be a successStarting with strengths Can be overwhelmingWe can do this by starting with one. One idea, one lesson one student.Story of James teachers idea to connect through strengthsHe still has some struggles but I have a connection. He no longer shuts down when I talk to him he seeks ME out to share his stories, We can often feel overwhelmed by so many students with so many needs.As educators, we have an incredible impact and a crucial role with todays youth. So Start Monday start with one. Start with one childs strengths - Change one childs story.I leave my daughter to say the final word.33

Tapping Into the Strengths of Our StudentsWrite about one student in your school and HOW you can better connect with him/her through his/her strengths

Tapping Into the Strengths of Our StudentsConsider your staff and students. What are 3 activities/ideas you can build upon or create space for in your school that will tap into the strengths of your students?

Share at table, record in Google Doc

Discussion Time

Amy in her element

Video: https://youtu.be/3nZyo-jHr8Q

I spoke to Amy recently she said that this was such a huge moment for her. Staff and students now know her for her strength in dance. Staff have shown interest in her life beyond school. She has also danced in front of her whole school as part of a school wide fundraising event. She is no longer invisible.

She is determined to graduate this year and will walk away from our district knowing that we provided an opportunity for her to show so many people in the Langley School district and beyond who she really is.

After the break we will be focusing on the leadership aspect of this how we can tap into the strengths of our staff members to create positive shifts to our organizational culture.

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Strengths-Based LeadershipTapping Into the Strengths of our Schools

This about culture about engagement and about strengths.38

Creating An Effective CultureCC Image from PopTech https://flic.kr/p/8tXtQp

There is a saying that culture eats strategy for breakfast.Without a strong culture, there is very little effective collaboration (with educational collisions)Instructional leadership is so important but we need a strong culture to have instructional leadership throughout our schoolslight-hearted culture with an intense purpose HoffmanWith a strong culture there is more engagement. How many of our staff members are truly engaged when we meet? 39

Strengths-Based Leadership: What Is It?Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGaEAzqWeQQ

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CHANGE?

Change is hard I love change you go first.The greatest challenge to innovation is the human resistance to change Ed Catmull (Pixar)Innovation is hard when it is constantly done off the side of our plates.There is no more money coming we need frugal innovation Cale Birk41

Are We Asking the Right Questions?CC Image from Raymond Bryson https://flic.kr/p/fGyo6Q

Are our questions moving people? We have low literacy rates how can we improve?We are doing well in numeracy why? What can we learn from this?Move from what can fix to what can we build upon?42

We cannot motivate others we can only work to create the conditions for people to motivate themselves.-- Edward Deci and Richard Ryan Image: http://flic.kr/p/8zWLAj

What are the conditions that are needed to engage our staff? Autonomy (professional) Mastery Purpose (WHY) 43

Teacher LeadershipThe old model of formal, one-person leadership leaves the substantial talents of teachers largely untapped...Leadership is the professional work of everyone in the school. Image: http://flic.kr/p/6kFV4R - Linda Lambert

Everyone can and should lead principals can create the conditions for this to occurthe vast majority of our schools are still squandering the experience, ideas and capacity of our nations schoolteachers.- Bill FerriterInformal Areas of strength/interest/passionTo get people to lead change, we need to tap into the hearts.

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Elephant and the RiderCC Image From Clive Reid https://flic.kr/p/67PRDH

Jonathan Haidt the Happiness HypothesisLead with the heart, steer with the mind. Chip and Dan Heath also talk about shaping the path.Elephant is the emotion, the gut, the heart. Rider is the mind. This makes change very difficult as you cannot change directions if the elephant is not willing.Tap into the strengths focus on the bright spots

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Focus on the BRIGHT SpotsCC Image by C. Singleton https://flic.kr/p/b1fj48

"You are simply asking yourself, Whats working and how can we do more of it? Thats the bright-spot philosophy in a single question. Chip and Dan Heath46

Whats broken? How do we fix it?

Whats working? How can we do MORE of it?

Chip and Dan Heath

When an organizations leadership fails to focus on individuals strengths, the odds of an employee being engaged are a dismal 1 in 11 (9%)

When an organizations leadership focuses on the strengths of its employees, the odds soar to almost 3 in 4 (73%) -- Tom RathCC Image from Midiman https://flic.kr/p/aXqQS

Gallup research on Strength-based leadership48

Positive PsychologyWe should be building on the best things in life AND repairing the worst

Dr. Martin SeligmanCC Image from Camdiluv https://flic.kr/p/7Ls5GD

we should be just as concerned as strengths as weaknesseswe should be as concerned about making the lives of normal people more fulfilling as we are with healing pathologyHelping those that struggle.Helping those good staff members flourish and become truly great.Not about ignoring deficits. But focusing more on strengths.Can I give you some feedback?49

A Gentle Nudgeshrink the changeCC Image from Joe McKenna https://flic.kr/p/5RdRYK

Focus on the strengths build confidence AND provide a gentle nudge to create change.Shrink the change. Radical incrementalism.50

The Strengths of our Schools

Challenge into opportunity.How Kent turned things around through strengthsChange the lens from a challenge to an opportunity. Students who cannot sit still love to be outside and moving. Staff and families with interst/strength in outdoors

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Our Students Cannot Sit StillOur Students Need to be Outside!

Hill Video52

Strengths of a Community

Heavy Metal Rocks program great example of embracing the strengths of a school community

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Who Are We?The Strengths of Our SchoolsWhat makes your school unique?How can you make this a strength?What are 3 things that make your school a great school?As a table, create an image (web with text, drawing, etc) on the chart paper that highlights the strengths of your schools (be sure to label your school). Post on wall.

Personal reflectionTable talk and record on chart paperTake photos of the images on poster paper and then create google slides to send out to team afterwards.54

The Strengths of Our Staff

Gallup - StrengthsFinderFrom Dallas Marks http://www.dallasmarks.org/

How Do Your Staff Members Get to Use Their Strengths?

Are we giving our staff the tools they need to flourish?

Are they aware of their strengths?How can we create the space to tap into their strengths?Chris Kennedy give them the tools.

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Make time for what matterscc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Xava du: http://flickr.com/photos/7933170@N03/652332630/

What do we want to see in our schols? Growth? Innovation? Collaboration?Make time!Staff meetings, Pro-DShifting priorities in our current day58

Time for StrengthsCuriosityInnovationcc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Toni Verd Carb: http://flickr.com/photos/tonivc/2283676770/

Google 20% Time, FedEx Days Dan Pinks DriveFedEx PrepTeacher Innovation DayStaff unconference (edcamp style) strength from within

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Tapping Into StrengthsEdcamp StyleVideo: https://youtu.be/Oygu7Kb-YWc

Living Systems Learning Communities

What are we curious about?seed time to those that use it wellInquiry - driven61

Turning it Around The Story of KariCC Image from Prime Education: https://flic.kr/p/c43rny

Very difficult to develop struggling teachers through our weaknesses.Tap into positive psychology. Do something in areas of strength.D.I.T. Huge struggles at former school. Needed new start, new space, much support. Strength of resiliency as well as in the arts.62

Be a Connector.Image: http://flic.kr/p/gHVux

Model sharing of ideas. Create intellectual collisions.Be the messenger of what is happening in one class to the other and to families (verbally, social media) WINDOWSOffer time to observeOne of the best things that I have done is spent time in classrooms learning from great teachers and trying to share those stories to other classrooms.Provide time for teachers to share their strength (ex. Woelders)

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Shifting Mindset Through The Strength of an Education Assistant

Tapping Into The Strengths of Our Staff MembersName 1-5 staff members (depending on size of school) who you can see help lead change in your school (try to include one/some that is/are not currently creating change). Name 1-2 areas of strength for these people. Explain how you can tap into their strengths, place them in increased leadership roles, and use these bright spots to help create change.

5 Ways to Use Strength-Based Leadership in SchoolsProvide feedback and encouragement in areas of strength, then move on to areas of possible growth. To nudge change or encourage progress, start with strengths.Engage by starting with the elephantCreate TIME in the schedule for staff to use their strengths, curiosities, and interests.Ex. Living Systems Learning CommunityCreate the conditions for professional learning opportunities that tap into the strengths of staff members.Ex. EdcampBe a connector. Help staff to connect with others with similar areas of strength both in the building and beyond.Create a collaborative culture that helps staff to also tap into the strengths of others.

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Discussion Time

Be MoreDog?

Moving into the afternoon more planning. More collaborating. Creating ACTION.Important to be brave and think on the edge. Frugal innovation.68

Creating Positive ChangeThrough Our Strengths

We can shift our school and community culture through the stories we share. Much like when we focus on the strengths of our students, we can change their story of life at school..When we share the strengths of our school, we can shift the confidence and culture in our school and change our story.69

Who sees the learning?Who hears the stories?

Traditionally the learning experience has stayed within the walls of each classroom. Very few stories.Education is seen only by students and staff within the classroom70

Kent Elementary School

2009 principal of Kent School a GREAT school with a reputation that did not match..High needs school with some significant challenges and not so great story.. Low Fraser Institute ranking. Poverty, behaviour, a staff stretched to the max.71

A school focused on strengths

AND a school focused on strengths. A school that looked to the strengths in students first.A school with an embedded culture and caring dedicated staff.72

Share the storiesCC Image from N. Dibley https://flic.kr/p/9wjGjC

Stories help to shape who we areSo we needed to share these positive stories stories of care, strength, and innovation.Stories to be shared throughout the school and throughout the community.73

In 2009, we took to social media to share our story.A new blog (10 Good things to talk about), a Facebook Page, Twitter feed as well as many other avenues.We wanted to use technology to meet parents where they were at to share the awesomeness that was our school.

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A window incc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Kol Tregaskes: http://flickr.com/photos/koltregaskes/213069641/

These platforms gave staff, students, and families a window in to the fantastic learning that was happening in our school.Parents had never been able to see inside the classroom from work. Staff became more aware of the great things happening in the school.75

Focus on and share the CC Image from K. Reese https://flic.kr/p/bDhp6 bright spots

And when we Focused in and shared the bright spots what is working that we can do more of?Staff felt more Supported and more confident. They were proud of who they were and what they were doing.With support and confidence, people were more open to share and take risks for their students.76

A Collaborative Culture

This confidence and sharing filtered into an organic collaborative culture Where we were able to provide seed time for small groups of teachers to meet and focus on bringing areas of their passion and inquiry into our school77

A New Story

Our story had changed. People were proud to be at Kent School and proud of Kent School We were becoming known throughout the province for some of the innovative ideas we were doing to support our students.More people started to take on leadership roles and create new stories for our students.78

Inclusion

We moved from my students to our students people from neighbouring schools and districts stated to look to us as an inclusive school. We now had a new, wonderful challenge as our reputation was a school that helped students with struggles to eventually flourish.79

Embedded CultureReal Pride

Our Aboriginal students and families brought in their strengths and pride in culture The Aboriginal culture became part of what we did it affected our culture pur assemblies, our teachings how we honour the strengths in each child. Changed our awards, honour roll, and student of the month.80

We built a HILL

We tapped into the strengths of staff and the community and instead of focusing on getting a new playground We built a hill. A place for rolling, tumbling, running, jumping, climbing. Real outdoor play.We shared these stories through social media81

A response to a schools story

People started to take notice and a phone call came from a random lady referencing our hill and many other stories we had shared.She wanted to set us up with a donor help our school out. I cautiously listened but I am glad I did.. 82

The resulting celebration from a shared story of a wonderful school community

As a year later, the Sedin Family kicked off their new foundation with a huge $50,000 donation to our school.They heard of the wonderful things that were happening in our school community and knew we had our challenges.And reached out to help get a new playgorund for our kids.83

New School New Strengths

In 2014 I moved to a new school in a new district with different strengthsFrom the outside looking in, it was hard for me to see what those strengths were. A great school that lacked stories being shared.

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Building TrustCC Image from T. Vogel https://flic.kr/p/i67wYD

Before we could share the stories, we had to bulld trustI met with every staff member one on one for 30 mins to learn more about themI spent a ton of time in classrooms getting a feel for who we are at James HillBuilding trust is so important but we dont want to blow it.85

Trust me?

Sharing the positives

And then we opened up the windows started a new blog, facebook page and twitter account.We started to share the stories throughout the school and the community.There were so many moments and ideas to be shared.Tooth Fairy87

Sharing:From me to us

Again.. Staff started to build confidence.Instead of me going searching for things to share, I would get invited in.. Or sent photos of the wonderful learning moments in the school.We shared online, we shared in staff meetings and in the copy room.88

The Start of a Collaborative Journey

Shifting the culture people are more confident and collaborative in staff meetings willing to share their ideas and thoughts on education at our school.We have a long journey ahead of us but we are building trust and confidence and letting people in.89

Open the DoorsShare the StoriesShift the Culture

Our stories shape who we are.When we Start with strengths and share these strengths we create a window in and we change the story.When we Change the story we change the identity. And Change the culture in our schools.Thank you.90

How will we more effectively share our stories as a school and district?

Table Talk, share at table, Google Doc. 91

Seek and createintellectual collisionscc licensed ( BY SA ) flickr photo by TORLEY : http://flickr.com/photos/torley/2539392357/

We need to rely on frugal innovation. No new money coming tap into what is available nowClayton Christensen seek out intellectual collisions seek ideas that challenge and support. Steven Johnson when hunches collideSocial media is like Coffee houses of the age of enlightenment now we can use technology to have our hunches collide and to seek out these intellectual collisions92

Expand and Connect the Pocketscc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Esther Simpson: http://flickr.com/photos/estherase/227972493/

an important task is to take the pockets of innovation and effective practice and help create the conditions for these pockets to spread.We have silos in education through classrooms, subjects and other structures. Through technology, we can seek out and share great things so it becomes less of a pocket and more of the norm.93

cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Roberta Cortese: http://flickr.com/photos/satyrika/8093129936/ Are you harnessing the power of a district hashtag?

One of the best ways districts can do this is through the power of a hashtag.#sd36learn is a great example of how the largest school district in BC has come together and expanded these pockets of innovative practice.#think35Whether it is a district, a school, or a subject area there is power in a hashtag of bringing people together to connect, enhance prof learning.94

What is ordinary to youMight be extraordinary to someone elsecc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by akshay moon: http://flickr.com/photos/akshaymoon/4732030995/

What is ordinary to youOften hear what am I going to share that is worth sharing? Why dont you find out? Moving schools has shown me that there are things that just happen at my former school and current school and we think they happen everywhere. We often spend far too much time wondering if something is worthy of sharing than time spent actually sharing. 95

Obvious to you?

As a district, how can we better connect through our strengths?

District of Schools School DistrictMy students Our students

Creating ActionHow will what we did today change what we do tomorrow?

How can we improve our school culture and change the stories of our students and staff by tapping into their strengths?Lets create a plan of action for HOW and WHAT together.Bringing it all together strengths of students, staff, colleagues How are we going to do this? How are we going to start with strengths and use this to create a positive culture in our schools?Comiit personally and then create accountability by sharing with learning team of 3 people on learning walk.98

Commit to Action

What are you going to commit to???99

Try something new. Take a risk. Do it.http://youtu.be/ZV_DKgb264E

What will you being here today change what you do Monday?Do one thing new. Dont need to reinvent the wheel100

Thank you!

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Connect With Mewww.chriswejr.comAbout.me/ChrisWejr@chriswejrchriswejr@gmail.com

Slides will be up on my website.102