Episodes

Looking to transform your team meetings? Check out this FREE guide for leaders, which includes a ready to use meeting agenda and notes template - https://bit.ly/5planningteams In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by Dr. Brandi Kelly, a dynamic leader in education with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Kelly’s journey has taken her from school social work to school leadership, serving as both a principal and now as Superintendent at Mt. Olive CUSD #5...

Access a workshop guide to help your team STOP focusing on things outside of our locus of control - https://bit.ly/JLlocus In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by Lucas Clarke, a passionate educator with the Anglophone South School District who is also the host of the Mr. Clarke After Dark Podcast, where he shares his insights and experiences in education. We discuss how academic support and cross-disciplinary collaboration can strengthen team dyna...

This week's episode, Kurtis and Lorna discuss the importance of establishing a culture of collaboration that values and encourages vulnerability. Connected Resources: Blog - Embracing Vulnerability: A Cornerstone of Effective Collaboration - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publications/blog-posts/embracing-vulnerability-cornerstone-effective-collaboration _________________ Interested in learning MORE? Access the FREE Overview of Collaborative Response Article https://bit.ly/CR-overview Explore ...

Explore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-intro Access the FREE Transform Your Team Meetings guide, including a meeting agenda template to copy and begin using today - https://bit.ly/5planningteams In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by the Prairie Principal Kevin Van Lagen, principal of Altario School. The episode explores Kevin’s unique perspective on how schools can serve as hubs for col...

Kurtis and Lorna explore the idea of piloting rather than full scale change in this episode of the Building a Culture of Collaboration podcast. Piloting provides the opportunity to work through ideas with a small group and to adjust and refine before rolling it out to the greater population. Connected Resources: Blog - The Value of Piloting Change - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publications/blog-posts/value-piloting-change-1 Blog - Reflecting on Piloting - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publica...

Access the FREE Guide for Leaders to Develop and Reinforce Team Norms - https://www.jigsawlearningonline.com/team-norms-guide In episode 25 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis and joined by Barb Flowers, an educator turned coach and host of The Principal’s Handbook podcast and The Teacher Burnout podcast. In the episode, we explore Barb’s insights into the connection between self-care, resilience, and building collaborative school cultures. We’ll also dive into her journey ...

Access the free article Transform Your Team Meetings: Five Planning Considerations for Leaders, which includes an editable meeting notes template you could begin using immediately! https://bit.ly/5planningteams In episode 24 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by David K Richards, Founder & CEO of Changemaker Microschools, a network of affiliate love-based microschools and an incubator for school founders who want to usher in a new paradigm for the future of educ...

Access the FREE webinar “5 Mistakes Leaders Make When Organizing Data” - https://bit.ly/5mistakesdata Access FREE Webinar “10 Considerations To Transform Your Team Meetings” - https://bit.ly/top10-cr In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by Dr. Darrin Peppard, President of Road to Awesome. Darrin is a leadership speaker, coach, host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast and a best selling author, including Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader....

Access the Introducing Collaborative Response guide for leaders for FREE - https://bit.ly/top10-cr In Episode 22, Kurtis and Lorna discuss the impact of a lead team at the school level and the potential for growth through implementation is highly impacted. Connected Resources: Agenda Template for a Lead Team - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oUxz0n_f4-SXJrUJtbba7ELa1rG1XcrSbWz4KrJt4CQ/edit?usp=sharing Blog - The Importance of a Lead Team in Driving Change - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/p...

Become a JL Insider to receive this exclusive offer and to also access newly added resources and video content, advance notice for sessions/workshops, discounts for learning events and resources, plus so much more! https://bit.ly/JLinsider Check out the FREE checklist and resource guide, focused on effectively planning a collaborative space in your school - https://bit.ly/spacechecklist In episode 21 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis engage in conversation with Dr. Karen...

Check out the FREE leadership guide Five Planning Considerations to Transform Your Team Meetings - https://bit.ly/5planningteams In episode 20 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis is joined by David Burkus, a former business school professor turned full-time writer and speaker. Kurtis and David talk about his book Best Team Ever and learn more about the three fundamental elements all high-performing team cultures share. Visit David’s website at davidburkus.com --------- Connect wit...

Check out the FREE webinar 10 Considerations to Transform Your Team Meetings - https://bit.ly/transformteams In episode 19 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis has the opportunity to connect with Will Parker, founder and CEO of Principal Matters, LLC. and host of the podcast Principal Matters. Will and Kurtis discuss the often dual nature we need to consider when it comes to leading and why trying to “fly solo” is a recipe for burnout, a lesson learned that almost ended Will’s educati...

This episode is part of the 2024 “National Literacy Month with RIF” campaign, a partnership between the BE Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental. In episode 18 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by Jeanne Spiller and Mark Onuscheck, two educational leaders, authors and consultants and co-editors of a number of PLC at Work titles. They discuss how to build a highly intentional and focused culture of collaboration, with a direct emphasis on how that culture c...

Access the FREE PDF article Five Planning Considerations to Transform Your Team Meetings - https://bit.ly/5planningteams In this replay, episode 13 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis is joined by Peter DeWitt and Michael Nelson, two leaders dedicated to supporting other educational leaders through their individual efforts, as well as their latest joint endeavor, establishing the Instructional Leadership Collective. In this episode, we explore the work Peter and Michael do through th...

In this replay, episode 5 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis and Lorna Hewson debunk the idea of chairing team meetings, focusing on an essential mindshift towards facilitating that has a tremendous impact on collaborative cultures. They will make explicit connections to the importance of psychological safety for teams, share 5 considerations for leaders and end the episode with some thoughts regarding how to distribute the facilitation role to other team members over time. --------...

In this replay, episode 8 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, we interview Grayson James. Grayson has been coaching executives, boards and senior management teams improve their collaborative business performance for over 30 years. He also facilitates organizational change initiatives and provides collaborative leadership education internationally through his consulting firm, Full Contact Institute (formerly Grayson James Consultants). Grayson’s approach is uncommon in that he weaves togethe...

In this replay, our first ever episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis Hewson shares a “Walk and Talk” strategy, as well as sample question cards described in the video - https://docs.google.com/document/d/14a2hxeaoCQZohhHb4kYODQLher6lnJea361nc6Hpl0k/edit?usp=sharing When building a culture of collaboration, engagement and connection are key. A Walk and Talk strategy not only promotes organizational wellness, but can also provide opportunity for connection and deeper conversation...

In this replay, episode 7 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis and Lorna Hewson dive into why an intentionally designed agenda and notes document for your team meetings is critical. They share ten considerations for your agenda and notes document, as well as two shifts that can have a tremendous impact on strategic planning efforts and the growth of your team’s collaborative efforts. Check out this blog to learn more about designing an intentional agenda, as well as some samples and t...

Check out the FREE leader’s guide Five Planning Considerations to Transform Your Team Meetings - https://bit.ly/5planningteams In episode 17 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis connects with the Tyler Comeau, an Alberta school principal who also shares and extends learning relating to our core elements as the Elemental Educator. Tyler and Kurtis discuss how to establish and sustain a culture of collaboration that is aligned with your individual and organizational elements of earth, w...

Download the FREE leader’s guide to team norms, as referenced in this episode - http://bit.ly/teamnormsguide In episode 16 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis is joined by former Superintendent Chris Smeaton. Chris shares numerous ideas for leaders at all levels in relation to building highly effective teams and tapping into the collaborative capacity of the organization. Checkout Chris’ blog at https://cdsmeaton.com/ --------- Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email kurtis.hewson@jigsaw...

FREE Webinar, 10 Considerations To Transform Your Team Meetings - https://bit.ly/transformteams Explore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-intro In episode 15 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis has the opportunity to connect with Chief Ruckus Maker Danny Bauer, a best selling author and host of the Better Leaders Better Schools podcast and the School Leadership Series podcast. Danny shares why we need ruckus makers in our orga...

Check out the FREE webinar mentioned in this podcast - 10 Considerations to Transform Your Team Meetings - https://bit.ly/transformteams In episode 14 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis reflect on the phenomenon of the implementation dip. They break down what it is, its impact on team endeavours and most importantly, how to navigate implementation dips when leading a culture of collaboration. --------- Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca Tw...

Access the FREE PDF article Five Planning Considerations to Transform Your Team Meetings - https://bit.ly/5planningteams In episode 13 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis is joined by Peter DeWitt and Michael Nelson, two leaders dedicated to supporting other educational leaders through their individual efforts, as well as their latest joint endeavor, establishing the Instructional Leadership Collective. In this episode, we explore the work Peter and Michael do through the Instruction...

Access the FREE webinar “5 Mistakes Leaders Make When Organizing Data” - https://bit.ly/5mistakesdata Access FREE Webinar “10 Considerations To Transform Your Team Meetings” https://bit.ly/top10-cr In episode 13 of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by Darrin Peppard, President of Road to Awesome. Darrin is a leadership speaker, coach, host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast and a best selling author, including Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader. In this...