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“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” —African Proverb
It isn’t uncommon to feel as if the weight of your schools rests squarely and solely on your shoulders. But the reality is that you are surrounded by teams of people in your schools and districts who have incredible expertise in a wide variety of areas.
As a PIRATE leader, we encourage (implore!) you to free yourself from thinking you have to know, do, and be everything. Instead, we want you to tap into the multitude of talents, gifts, and expertise that lie within each and every person who works with you. Unleashing the genius of those around you ultimately contributes to a thriving culture where people feel valued and are willing to learn and grow individually and as part of a crew. And as you open yourself to learning from and with your crew members, you will continue to develop greater expertise.
This idea that we aren’t the only experts in the building is the foundation for the Collaborative Conversations component of ANCHOR. While there are times when direct feedback is essential, we have found that engaging in collaborative conversations about teaching and learning has a powerful impact on a person’s willingness to try something new, to learn, and to grow. Collaborative conversations are much more likely to help you build a culture of commitment as opposed to a culture of compliance.
Collaborative conversations are coaching conversations, not evaluative ones. During these two-way conversations, you and the teacher work as partners to figure out what was successful about a lesson and what elements might need tweaking. The conversation is about brainstorming together and sharing ideas. During these conversations, you and the teacher are on equal ground; your opinions and ideas don’t necessarily have any more merit than the ideas the teacher puts forth. Sometimes the teacher has the better idea, and other times you do.
By asking good questions and listening to understand, you can work with your teacher to find the best solution or practice. Most of all, collaborative conversations should be fun. They are an opportunity to roll up your sleeves and just talk about good teaching and learning in a way that inspires you both.
Give a message of appreciation. We recommend dropping an ANCHOR of appreciation first, as it’s always a great way to kick off any conversation.
Ask a question or invite conversation based on what you observed.
Respond to what the teacher shares, share your thoughts, and ask another question. When the teacher responds to a question, listen intently and then respond. It is so much more powerful for us to engage in two-way conversations that lead to an abundance of good ideas than it is for us to observe and then tell them one idea we think they should implement.
Encourage the teacher to try one of the new ideas that came out of your conversation. The goal for collaborative conversations is to push practice. That’s why we always try and add a “soft layer of accountability.”
Say “Thank you!” If done well, these collaborative conversations can be energizing for you and the person with whom you are collaborating, so thank them for their time and for pushing your learning as well.
Choose one or two days this week where you set aside thirty minutes to visit classrooms and thirty minutes to engage in collaborative conversations with the teachers whose classrooms you visited. Visit each classroom for five to ten minutes and then let the teacher know: “Thank you so much for having me in your classroom today; I always learn so much when I visit! I’d love to chat with you about the lesson I observed today. Do you have some time later when we can do that?”
Have fun with this challenge! The one-on-one time we get with our teachers is rare and oh so precious! Appreciate and enjoy the time you have together.
-Shelley
Have Questions for us during the #LeadLAP ANCHOR series? Want to dive deeper into ANCHOR at our LIVE event on April 30 9:30 am CST? Drop your questions and sign up HERE.
You'll learn where to find the treasure that's already in your classrooms and schools--and how to bring out the very best in your educators.
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