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Why You Need to “Pull-Back-the-Curtain” in Your PD

November 11, 2024

When I first started presenting workshops, I received as many questions about coaching as about my approach to PD. 

“Why did you decide to have us do that…?” “This PD was amazing. What tips do you have on presenting PD?”

This made sense as the majority of the coaches and administrators who attended my workshops also designed and facilitated PD. 

So, I adopted a new routine for my workshops—a moment when I’d “pull back the curtain” on the facilitation strategies I was using and think aloud about what I was doing and why (at that point, I literally incorporated a slide with a heavy stage curtain being pulled back). 

For example, after the opening routines, I pull back the curtain and describe how setting intentions, anchoring in community agreements, and previewing the agenda build individual and collective resilience and deepen buy-in to the learning experience. These moves help learners understand why they’re asked to do what they’re asked. 

These moments became many of the favorites in our learning experiences because we love to see behind the curtain. It allows us to see that we can replicate—in this case, a learning experience. 

Presenting engaging, transformative PD isn’t rocket science, and it isn’t magic. There are fairly simple, straightforward things you can do to transform your PD sessions.

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Three Ways to Boost Collective Resilience

November 25, 2024

If you, or your team, are anything like most of the people I’m talking to these days, you’re carrying a lot, both personally and professionally, as the calendar year winds down and the list of to-dos builds up. ‍Here’s a recommendation if you, or your team, need a boost: seize the opportunity this holiday provides to practice gratitude. ‍

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Say, "Goodbye," to Resistance

November 18, 2024

You can instantly remove resistance with this one simple move.

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My Advice: Feel the Feeling

November 18, 2024

Whatever you’re feeling right now is okay. But I do have one piece of advice: feel what you’re feeling. 

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My Top Strategy for Making the Most of Limited PD Time

October 28, 2024

Have big PD dreams and only a small amount of time? ‍Dread wasting time and want to ensure your PD is as efficient as it is impactful? ‍I have one strategy that will help you tackle both PD challenges.

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