One of my most rewarding professional facilitation experiences has been my ongoing work with the Austin Independent School District in Texas. For more than ten years, I've had the honor of facilitating professional learning, visioning, and community building with AISD’s social and emotional learning department,...
When groups come together for the first time, during the first weeks of school or the kick-off of fall programming, thoughtful educators and facilitators weave in intentional time to build community. Introductions, "name games," and nametags are often part of this—for good reason. Names are everything....
Rather than opening a program or class with a whole circle introduction I always begin rapport building and reflective dialogue with partner or small group sharing activities and blend in simple, non-threatening -- but relevant, context setting-- questions or an object/picture/quote to use as a...
Strong Beginnings The first few minutes of an experience are a key time to hook and engage learners, create context for learning, and set a welcoming tone. A novel and inclusive activity immediately engages learners— drawing them into a positive experience and creating buy-in. Participants come...
Games That Teach: Classroom Four Square My recent post on Harnessing the Power of Play to Teach focused on how Learners of all ages can develop and practice valuable life skills through play. I shared brain research that shows that playful learning situations enhance academic and...
One of the key tenets of experiential education is that people of all ages learn best when they perceive a sense of control and have choice and ownership in their learning experiences. You can create opportunities to build this sense of choice and control for...
Never underestimate the power of play in learning! Play is a serious subject. There is a great deal of research on play and what constitutes true play, types of play, and stages of play. My working definition of playful learning involves engaging learners in educational...
As the calm of winter settled in here in Vermont during the last days of 2023, I enjoyed the quietest weeks of my professional calendar. During those slower-paced days of work life, I spent time "catching up with myself," organizing my new studio space, and...
Gratitude is a reflective act, practice, and attitude that I try to weave into my workshop sessions and classes all year round. This can range from simple gratitude-centered conversation starters and reflection prompts during community and rapport-building activities like Handshake Mingle or Concentric Circles such...
What a summer! Here in Vermont, like in so many other communities, our changing climate has challenged us with extreme rain and flooding. The summer has also been full of inspiring moments during workshops with educators and facilitators across the US and the satisfaction of...
This post offers engaging reflection techniques to make the most of end of program/end of school year moments with optimistic endings that cultivate lasting lessons: As readers of this blog know, I am passionate about the practice of reflection and the importance of intentionally weaving it...
In past blog posts and in my Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner book I have shared about the value of "Gallery Walk" as an engaging structure for group reflection, information gathering, brain storming and collaboration. Over the years I have used it in my work facilitating...
Three Cards to Tell a Story, and a Fourth to Help Us Decide How We Are Going to Get There: During this time of year, I often use my "Pick-a-Postcard" kit to focus on kicking off the school or program year by reflecting on shared vision,...
As you’ve seen in previous posts, I often compare group facilitation and teaching to cooking by exploring the key ingredients, techniques, and mindset that make it a success. Many years ago, during one of my “Facilitator’s Toolbox" conference presentations, I decided to bring this idea...
Over the past week, I've been awakening before dawn, as I often do this time of year —not jumping out of bed to start the day's work, but quietly enjoying the moonlit shadows on the snowcovered trees in our yard, or gazing at our holiday...
In my ongoing community building and professional development with work teams and student and faculty groups, I traditionally facilitate a "Postcard Appreciations" activity in December meetings or classes to give participants a morale lift and end the year on a high note. Postcards are one...
Inspire meaningful reflection and dialogue that goes beyond the traditional sharing circle. Spark reflective writing, exploration of positive character traits, or facilitate strong beginnings and optimistic endings. This method is useful for both individual and collaborative reflection and is used in restorative circles and appreciations,...
Taking the time to welcome students back to school and help them build a positive and productive learning community is more important now than ever before. Over the past month, I have been working with schools across the country who are intentionally building in more...