June is my favorite month. 6 on a Friday evening and it looks like there are hours of daylight left. Idyllic.
It occurred to me that there probably should have been norms for the book club at the outset. But I am happy to admit that I am a neophyte at this, so I learn as I go. This email is to transmit those norms. Plus it gives me one more opportunity to advertise that the book club is open for business—after today, all communication about it moves to Google+. Thank you and welcome to those who have signed up already—it’s a terrific group.
So this is just a cut-and-paste from the last Coaching Letter: The first book is Humble Inquiry, by Ed Schein. The discussion will take place in Google+—you can access it on the web athttps://plus.google.com/communities/109390517899032274686?iem=1. If you click on this link it will give you the option to join the group. You can also download the app (the logo is” src=”cid:image002.png@01D40FD4.09E0AE30″ alt=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/r0YE5IrwItDjTT1QJJo-_JOQ65_9FZGe-2QKtvW3BfLo0EAVQ9-C08kBqYe4Daof0kkwJDiInHiMjoCUOgDGvKzXu-JSGBX94bv4vYwITkwpFZqndZHBsQBp8PmNeOCYHuZutW8W” border=”0″ class=”Apple-web-attachment Singleton” style=”width: 0.2604in; height: 0.2187in;”>) on Android or Apple, including, of course, your iPad. You can also post pictures and share links to something else you are reading, watching, or listening to. When you join, please post an introduction to the group—who are you, what do you do, and why are you joining the book club?
The next post I’m going to write The post I just wrote is a personal connection to the personal story Schein tells at the beginning of the book about how it feels to be given advice.
And here are the norms—not suggesting that these are perfect, either, but they are a good place to start.
Stevenson Coaching Letter Book Club Norms
- Please be an engaged community member. Commit to engaging in the group at least once a week, if not more often. Engaging can be writing your own post, or responding to others. Do not feel like writing your own post is necessary or more desirable; it will only feel like a community if we respond thoughtfully to one another as well as make our own statements.
- Respond to others’ posts in a spirit of humble inquiry:
- Ask questions to which you don’t already know the answer;
- Be moved by curiosity about others and their experiences;
- Embrace empathy;
- Comments, personal connections, and wonderings should not be advice in disguise.
- What happens in the Book Club stays in the Book Club. Members often share personal stories, and they are not yours to repeat in other forums unless you can guarantee the anonymity of your source, and you can promise to treat the information and the source with respect. (While you may not be naming names, it is still not OK to say to another, “you won’t believe what this idiot in my book club said…”)
- Please silence your electronics. Kidding! This is an asynchronous enterprise, so no one can hear your phone ring.
I’m also attaching flyers for two of our institutes, and brief descriptions for them below my signature box. I don’t think we’re advertising for the Equity Institute any more, as this October’s session is already full. If you would like to get your name on the wait list for the next session, or if you want to talk about us bringing the institute to your school or district, please contact my inestimable colleague Kerry Lord.
I know from all the out-of-office replies that many of you are on vacation J. Whether you are or not, I hope that life is a tad less stressful than it is during the school year. And if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. Cheers, Isobel
Isobel Stevenson PhD PCC
Program Coordinator
Connecticut Center for School Change
151 New Park Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Office: 860.586.2340
Cell: 860.576.9410
From: Nahabedian, Bridget
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2018 10:15 AM
Subject: CCSC Upcoming Institutes
The Connecticut Center for School Change is proud to announce two upcoming professional learning institutes.
Coaching Institute
This three-day institute focuses on developing coaching skills in line with school or district strategy. It includes learning and practicing listening, questioning, and giving feedback, as well as coaching methods designed to support strategic thinking and problem-solving. The institute is designed to support leaders and coaches at all levels.
Dates: September 20, 24, & 25, 2018
Click here to register for the Coaching Institute
Instructional Rounds Institute
This two-day institute is designed to develop a focused, comprehensive strategy that supports a coherent and consistent understanding of high-quality instruction. Elements include strategic planning, coaching and methodology for detailed implementation, measurement, and participation. The Center also provides on-site coaching to support school-based rounds for institute participants.
Dates: January 16 & 17, 2019
Click here to register for the Instructional Rounds Institute
See attached flyers for details.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Connecticut Center for School Change
151 New Park Avenue, Suite 15
Hartford, CT 06106
- 860-586-2340
- 860-586-7360
