I loathed going to staff meetings. I know that most people do. If you Google "staff meeting memes" the shared sentiments are a-plenty. These are a few of my favourites:
I get it it. Educators are professionals and can read informational items for themselves so this year, being new to the school I asked my principal for permission to "flip" staff meetings. The "minutes" are distributed in advance of the meeting so that staff have the time to read the pertinent information before the meeting. The agenda consists of two items: clarification of any of the information items and a topic of discussion. The topic is one that affects everyone in some capacity. At one of our meetings, as an introduction to the topic of discussion, we had a teacher demonstrate some effective differentiated assessment strategies. This was well-received, I think, because teachers sharing with other teachers shows practicality and feasibility in a real context. I've made use of Today's Meet to allow people who aren't as comfortable contributing to large group discussions, to still have the opportunity to express their views.
So far, so good! Some topics have been a bit more heated than others... but at least people are talking and engaging and itching. I like it when educators "itch". It means we're thinking and reflecting. Attendance is improving with each meeting, which makes me happy. I want people to feel that they have a vested interest in the topics we discuss. Ultimately, flipping staff meetings accomplishes a few key goals:
1. You spend time talking about issues that matter to the staff and work towards developing a shared vision of effective and consistent practice
2. You encourage collaboration and sharing of ideas across disciplines and departments
3. You facilitate the opportunity to develop and foster teacher leadership
4. You demonstrate that leadership is not a top-down process
Shortly, I'll be sending out a Google Form to solicit more potential topics for discussion. I want staff to feel like their voice is important and that it's being heard.
I get it it. Educators are professionals and can read informational items for themselves so this year, being new to the school I asked my principal for permission to "flip" staff meetings. The "minutes" are distributed in advance of the meeting so that staff have the time to read the pertinent information before the meeting. The agenda consists of two items: clarification of any of the information items and a topic of discussion. The topic is one that affects everyone in some capacity. At one of our meetings, as an introduction to the topic of discussion, we had a teacher demonstrate some effective differentiated assessment strategies. This was well-received, I think, because teachers sharing with other teachers shows practicality and feasibility in a real context. I've made use of Today's Meet to allow people who aren't as comfortable contributing to large group discussions, to still have the opportunity to express their views.
So far, so good! Some topics have been a bit more heated than others... but at least people are talking and engaging and itching. I like it when educators "itch". It means we're thinking and reflecting. Attendance is improving with each meeting, which makes me happy. I want people to feel that they have a vested interest in the topics we discuss. Ultimately, flipping staff meetings accomplishes a few key goals:
1. You spend time talking about issues that matter to the staff and work towards developing a shared vision of effective and consistent practice
2. You encourage collaboration and sharing of ideas across disciplines and departments
3. You facilitate the opportunity to develop and foster teacher leadership
4. You demonstrate that leadership is not a top-down process
Shortly, I'll be sending out a Google Form to solicit more potential topics for discussion. I want staff to feel like their voice is important and that it's being heard.
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