Coming Together – Targeting Success

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This is the introduction to an article by Jeff Fifield,  Curriculum Facilitator at Colegio Maya in Guatemala, which was published in NewsLinks:

Coming Together – Targeting Success was the title of Colegio Maya’s (American International School of Guatemala) Strategic Planning Summit.

It captured well the objectives for the innovative and dynamic event to generate dialogue in bringing the learning community closer together to set future targets for school improvement.

Utilising an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach, which aligned to the school’s culture, allowed the school’s stakeholders to engage in a meaningful and energized experience to begin creating the shared vision for school improvement.

The truly magical mix included students, teachers, administrators, parents, Board Members, as well as former members of the school community.

To read more about this wonderful event, download the full article

The Future of Education

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If you’ve not watched this graphically recorded talk by Sir Ken Robinson, then you’re in for a treat. In it, he presents a cogent argument for a new paradigm in education with his customary clear reasoning and sharp wit.

Sir Ken Robinson is a British author, speaker and international advisor on education in the arts to government, non-profits, education and arts bodies. He received his knighthood in 2003 for services to education.

Thank you to Natalie Shell for the ‘heads up’ on this presentation.

Evocative Coaching:
Transforming Schools One Conversation at a Time

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A new resource is available for those working with classroom teachers and school leaders. Written by Bob & Megan Tschannen-Moran, Evocative Coaching: Transforming Schools One Conversation at a Time (Jossey-Bass, 2010), incorporates the principles of Appreciative Inquiry into the process of one-on-one coaching for personal and professional development.

The Evocative Coaching model works with Story Listening, Expressing Empathy, Appreciative Inquiry, and Design Thinking to move educators beyond old ways of thinking, doing, and being. It inspires and invigorates educators with the passion for making schools better, one conversation at a time.

David Cooperrider had this to say about the book: “If you could choose only one inspiring and resource-filled book on coaching, what do you suppose it would be? For me the answer is right here. Evocative Coaching is a gem; it’s something that should be read by anyone involved in a helping profession—and that’s everyone!”

For more information about the book and the coach training program based upon the book, visit www.SchoolTransformation.com.

Bob Tschannen-Moran

Interview with Christina O’Guinn

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by Patreece Thompson

Patreece: Thank you so much Christina for the opportunity to speak with you about Youth in the Middle, (YiM) a pilot program that seeks to address youth development from holistic and systemic perspectives. We would like to learn a little about you. What inspired you to become involved with the  YiM Program?

Christina:  I was a former teacher for the 5th and 6th grades. Then I obtained my Masters in Education in Instructional Technology and curriculum design and later was involved as a program manager for NASA and The Tech Museum in STEM education – (STEM is an acronym for “Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics”).

I became interested in schools and reform. Through my network, I became connected with YiM because I wanted to be:  a. more in touch with school reform, b. in touch with schools that are doing the work of reform, c. in situations to think about school as a system.

(Read Christine’s Bio)

Patreece: As I understand it, this program started as a conversation between John W. Gardner former, Secretary of HEW during LBJ administration, and Dr. Milbrey McLaughlin, professor of education and public policy. What is a community school? How did Kennedy School come to be chosen for this “pilot”?

Continue reading →

Workshop: 26 & 27 March 2010

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The Art of Questions for Social Change:
Applications of Appreciative Inquiry

Date: March 26 and 27, 2010
Time: 8:30AM-4:30PM
Venue: William Penn House
515 East Capitol St., SE, Washington, DC 20003

A 2-day workshop for individuals, groups, and group leaders to gain a fresh perspective to an old idea.

This workshop is ideal for people in position of leadership, and for groups with projects or tasks that call for creative and innovative approaches. Teachers, community organizers, and people looking to build bridges for positive social change will all benefit from this workshop.

It is an opportunity to learn how to find common ground in a divisive world, turn dialog into action, and turn economic challenges into opportunities.

Sometimes simply finding the right question keeps people engaged, so we can find common ground, build community, and bring change to the world.  Appreciative Inquiry is a proven method for effectively doing this in the corporate, community and non-profit world.

Workshop Facilitators Marge Schiller and Joyce Lemke have worked with a variety of groups from schools to social service and advocacy groups to business leaders.  Marge is the founder and President of The Positive Change Core, and Joyce is an active member.  They have national and internation experience supporting education and youth communities with Strength-Based whole system approaches.

Cost: $125/person
($100/person for groups of 4 or more*)
$75 for students
Lunch is provided
Lodging is available
*groups of 4 or more from same organization/project

For questions, or to register:
Contact Brad Ogilvie
Phone: 202-543-5560
Fax: 202-543-3814

Download the flyer

Marge Schiller, PhD, Founder of PCC

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This is the first in a series of interviews with the founders and members of Positive Change Core (PCC) to create a mosaic of relationship, perspectives, and reflections of their experience.

On Friday, February 5, 2020 Patreece Thompson interviewed PCC Founder, Marge Schiller, PhD.

Patreece: What are the images of hope that have evolved since PCC emerged from the ashes of 911?

Marge:  It is clearer than ever before that the universal, multicultural image of hope is in children. We see it now in Haiti that what affects and moves us to action is the hope we see in their eyes.

What is remarkable about children is their purity, their deep connection to what is best in us as humans.  They show us love, hope, and joy.

Patreece: As you are speaking, I’m remembering the picture of the young Haitian boy pulled out of the rubble left by the earthquake, raising his hands in victory, despite the ordeal he had just gone through.

Marge:  Yes, Children ARE victorious…

Patreece: What are some high points for you in PCC creating a culture where the strength of children are uplifted and expanded?

Continue reading →

Biking for Dollars

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The world has been touched and saddened by the devastation and destruction wrought by an earthquake in Haiti. Rescue teams including religious organizations, medical and military personnel swarmed Port Au Prince in an effort to prevent further loss of life and hope.

But back in Fulham, West London, a little 7 year old named Charlie Simpson cried at the images of Haitians suffering from homelessness, lack of food and death of loved ones. He was particularly touched by the children many of whom became orphans. He appealed to his mother to help him set up a sponsored bike ride around a nearby park. She set up a web page on www.justgiving.com which allows donors to contribute to UNICEF.

His simple message: “My name is Charlie Simpson. I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives. I want to make some money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti.”

With that simple statement, his simple act of riding his bike eight kilometers (five miles) around a park and the dream of raising $500 (US), Charlie has to date raised over £100,000 ($160,000). There was an outpouring of support, encouragement and money from those who were inspired by this act of compassion on the part of one so young.

The learning lesson here is one of the elegance and simplicity of the dream and the act. Charlie’s dream is huge – to be able to supply the needs of everyone in Haiti – but his action was wonderfully simple. Only a child or one that is child-hearted could combine these elements into effective action that can change the world.

Patreece Thompson