Episodes

7
April 23, 2026

Acknowledging the Messiness When Implementing Collaborative Response with Keri Card-Esau and Kim Wedman - 2026 RETREAT BONUS

2026 Collaborative Response Retreat Reserve your spot today! 🚀https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by Keri Card-Esau and Kim Wedman. Keri and Kim unpack the incredible work they are doing within Wild Rose School Division and specifically at HW Pickup Middle School, sharing the ways in which they have fostered collaboration and inclusivity across their organizations. --------- Connect with Keri Card-Esau Ema...
6
April 22, 2026

Leadership Moves and Solution-Focused Conversations with Percy Baxter School - 2026 RETREAT BONUS

Join US!! At the Annual Collaborative Response Retreat https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat Are you a school leader looking for a framework that drives real results? Learn from fellow leaders who are creating a highly coordinated approach to student and staff success. Join US! 👉 https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat How do the structures of Collaborative Response—the meetings, tiers, and data—actually "breathe" in a middle school? In this episode, Kurtis and Lorna Hewson are joi...
5
April 21, 2026

Building a Culture of Response Across Diverse Communities w/ Northland School Division - 2026 RETREAT BONUS

Join US!! At the Annual Collaborative Response Retreat https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat If you’re ready to lead collaborative meetings that actually drive change, get the tools, strategies, and structures to transform your team meetings from routine discussions into powerful problem-solving sessions. Enroll NOW! 👉 bit.ly/facilitatectm How do you create a "culture of response" across a vast school division? In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Kurtis and Lorna sit down...
4
April 20, 2026

How School Leaders Create Alignment with Collaborative Response with Griffin Park School - 2026 RETREAT BONUS

Join US!! At the Annual Collaborative Response Retreat https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat Are you a school leader looking for a framework that drives real results? Learn from fellow leaders who are creating a highly coordinated approach to student and staff success. Join US! 👉 https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat Access a workshop guide to help your teams craft effective goals to guide their collaborative work - https://bit.ly/jlgoals In this episode of Leading Collaborative...
3
April 19, 2026

Promoting Purposeful Reflection Through Layers of Team with Trevor Van Someren - 2026 RETREAT BONUS

2026 Collaborative Response Retreat Reserve your spot today! 🚀https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by Trevor Van Someren, who has been a dedicated educator since 2001. For the past 13 years, Trevor has served as a K–8 principal, leading learning and fostering strong, collaborative school cultures. He has deeply engaged in understanding and implementing Collaborative Response and now also works as a WeCollab L...
2
April 18, 2026

How Elk Island Public Schools Uses Collaborative Response to Align System & School Supports - 2026 RETREAT BONUS

Join US!! At the Annual Collaborative Response Retreat https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat How can system leaders use Collaborative Response to better support schools, staff, and students? In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Kurtis and Lorna Hewson are joined by Kari Huk and Corey Kropp, Assistant Directors of Supports for Students with Elk Island Public Schools. Together, they explore how Collaborative Response structures and processes have been used at the system leve...
1
April 17, 2026

Intentional Introduction of Collaborative Response to Access Staff Voice with Saint John High School - 2026 RETREAT BONUS

Reserve your spot today! 🚀https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat Did you know EVERY school needs four layers of teams to not only respond to the needs of students but build instructional capacity with intentionality and focus? Learn more in a FREE webinar at https://bit.ly/layeringteams In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by principal Christina Barrington and head of Education Support Services Jillian Wilton from Saint John High School in New Br...
105
April 14, 2026

Developing Instructional Playbooks Through Collaborative Team Meetings - Ep 105

Are you a school leader looking for a framework that drives real results? Learn from fellow leaders at the 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 who are creating a highly coordinated approach to student and staff success. 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲. 👉 https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat In this weeks podcast Kurtis and Lorna dive into what are instructional playbooks and how they can align with a school's work in not only their collaborative team meetings but also with their continuum of supports....
30
April 11, 2026

SUNDAY REWIND - Establishing the Collaborative Team Meeting with Clarity and Fidelity at Ron Southern School

Explore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-intro Creating Focus for Collaborative Planning WITHOUT Micromanaging Your Teams 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 Leading Collaborative Response, Kurtis is joined by Zoe Serediuk and Ankush Garg, the administrative team at Ron Southern School with the Calgary Board of Education, to explore...
104
April 7, 2026

Leadership Moves and Solution-Focused Conversations with Percy Baxter School - Ep 104

Are you a school leader looking for a framework that drives real results? Learn from fellow leaders who are creating a highly coordinated approach to student and staff success. Join US! 👉 https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat How do the structures of Collaborative Response—the meetings, tiers, and data—actually "breathe" in a middle school? In this episode, Kurtis and Lorna Hewson are joined by Jennifer Ferguson (Principal) and Ashlee Jodry (Assistant Principal) of Percy Baxter Middle Sc...
29
April 4, 2026

SUNDAY REWIND - Collaboratively Responding Across a System with CBE Chief Superintendent Joanne Pitman

5 Mistakes Leaders Make When Organizing Data for Teams Access a FREE webinar to learn about 5 mistakes leaders make when organizing data for teams…and how to correct those mistakes. 👉 bit.ly/5mistakesdata In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Lorna and Kurtis Hewson are joined by Joanne Pitman, Chief Superintendent of Schools with the Calgary Board of Education, serving more than 138,000 students across more than 250 schools. Joanne shares insights related to leading Collaborative ...
103
March 31, 2026

Don’t Skip the Roles: The Key to Effective Team Meetings - Ep 103

𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥! Healthy and vibrant collaborative team meetings fuel innovation in how we address student needs. Register NOW! Effective Facilitation for Collaborative Team Meetings online bit.ly/facilitatectm Are you a school leader looking for a framework that drives real results? Learn from fellow leaders at the 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 who are creating a highly coordinated approach to student and staff success. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/eve...
28
March 28, 2026

SUNDAY REWIND - BLAST-ing off for Literacy Intervention Success with Nancy MacLellan

This episode is part of the 2024 “National Literacy Month with RIF” campaign, a partnership between the BE Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental. Establishing a School-Wide Data and Evidence Plan Planning for the effective use of data with our teachers is hard…but it doesn’t have to be! When schools have a targeted plan for the collection and utilization of data, conversations become more focused and staff can see the impact their collective practices are having for students. 👉 bit.ly/data...
102
March 24, 2026

Building a Culture of Response Across Diverse Communities w/ Northland School Division - Ep 102

If you’re ready to lead collaborative meetings that actually drive change, get the tools, strategies, and structures to transform your team meetings from routine discussions into powerful problem-solving sessions. Enroll NOW! 👉 bit.ly/facilitatectm How do you create a "culture of response" across a vast school division? In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Kurtis and Lorna sit down with the leaders from Northland School Division (NSD) - Mark Owens, Amy Savill, and Principal Andrew...
27
March 21, 2026

SUNDAY REWIND - Impacting School-Wide Culture Through Collaborative Response at a High School with Chris Good

Check out the FREE guide - Top Ten Considerations when Introducing Collaborative Response - https://bit.ly/top10-cr Planning for Fall Start Up: Re-Engaging Collaborative Response Elevate your school's Collaborative Response with this transformative workshop! Join Lorna and seize this unique spring opportunity to optimize successes and propel your educational institution toward a successful future. 👉 bit.ly/fallstartcr In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Lorna and Kurtis is joine...
101
March 17, 2026

Changing the Way We Do Attendance - Ep 101

Kurtis and Lorna share insights connected to the development of a continuum of supports focused on attendance. They discuss a critical adjustment that must be made to ensure your school is not working towards developing a "pyramid of punishment" by focusing on what is in our locus of control. Connected Resources: Collaborative Leader Toolkit Resource - Locus of Control - Is your team stuck spinning their wheels—frustrated by challenges outside of their control? bit.ly/JLlocus Podcast - Getting...
26
March 14, 2026

SUNDAY REWIND - Leading with Intentionality, Vulnerability and Patience - Implementing CR with Peter Barron

Are you a school leader looking for a framework that drives real results? Learn from fellow leaders at the 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 who are creating a highly coordinated approach to student and staff success. 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲. 👉 https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Kurtis is joined by Peter Barron, superintendent of St. Paul Education Regional school division. Peter has led the introduction of Collaborative Response now in th...
100
March 10, 2026

Episode 100: The Roots of Collaborative Response with Dr. Jim Parsons

Are you a school leader looking for a framework that drives real results? Learn from fellow leaders who are creating a highly coordinated approach to student and staff success. Join us! 👉 https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat Access a workshop guide to ensure you are truly engaging as a team - https://bit.ly/JLgroupteam Celebrate a major milestone with us! In our 100th episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Kurtis and Lorna Hewson sit down with a true legend in the field of educatio...
25
March 7, 2026

SUNDAY REWIND - Supporting Complex Students by Not Focusing on Them in the Collaborative Team Meeting

Are you a school leader looking for a framework that drives real results? Learn from fellow leaders at the 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 who are creating a highly coordinated approach to student and staff success. 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲. 👉 https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Lorna and Kurtis discuss why focusing primarily on your high needs students can actually have a negative impact on building a culture of Collaborative Response wit...
99
March 3, 2026

Culture Isn’t Accidental: The Habits That Build Collaborative Teams - Ep 99

Kurtis and Lorna explore the connection between establishing intentional and purposeful habits that result in the creation a culture of collaboration. Sometimes simple structures like roles can impact the overall culture and functioning of your teams. Connected Resources: Blog - Cultivating a Culture of Collaboration through Purposeful Habits - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publications/blog-posts/cultivating-culture-collaboration-through-purposeful-habits Resource - Potential Roles for Team M...
24
Feb. 28, 2026

SUNDAY REWIND - Ensuring Follow-Up for Actions Determined in the Collaborative Team Meeting

Check out the FREE guide for leaders - Top 10 Considerations When Introducing Collaborative Response - https://bit.ly/top10-cr In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Lorna and Kurtis tackle a question often posed by leaders - how to follow-up on actions from collaborative team meetings? They review the process that generates actions in the CTM and then offer considerations to ensure follow-up on actions from those meetings that are critical to Collaborative Response. --------- Con...
98
Feb. 24, 2026

How School Leaders Create Alignment with Collaborative Response with Griffin Park School - Ep 98

Are you a school leader looking for a framework that drives real results? Learn from fellow leaders who are creating a highly coordinated approach to student and staff success. Join US! 👉 https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat Access a workshop guide to help your teams craft effective goals to guide their collaborative work - https://bit.ly/jlgoals In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Kurtis is joined by Kendra Adams, principal at Griffin Park School in Brooks, Alberta. To...
23
Feb. 21, 2026

SUNDAY REWIND - 5 Key Considerations for Facilitating Highly Effective Team Meetings

Access the FREE Team Meeting Space Checklist https://bit.ly/spacechecklist Workshop: Supporting CR Workshop Planning for Fall Start Up: Re-Engaging Collaborative Response https://bit.ly/fallstartcr In this episode of Leading Collaborative Response, Jennifer has an opportunity to engage in a conversation with Kurtis regarding what facilitators can do to ensure highly impactful team meetings. As leaders, we are constantly refining and growing our practice when it comes to leading teams and Kurti...
97
Feb. 17, 2026

The Power of Modeling: Leadership in Action - Ep 97

Join us at the Annual Collaborative Response Retreat https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/events/retreat In this weeks podcast, Kurtis and Lorna discuss the importance of ongoing modelling by the leader to move Collaborative Response efforts forward in the school, focusing on developing leadership capacity across the organization. Connected Resources: Observing a Collaborative Team Meeting resources - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/observing-collaborative-team-meeting Facilitating Effective Collabora...