HEAD TEACHER PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE PROGRAM PROFESSIONALCONVERSATION “seeking new potentials and possibilities”

Welcome and Introductions Why a Head Teacher?

Appreciative Inquiry Appreciative inquiry is a strategy for purposeful change that identifies the best of "what is" to pursue dreams and possibilities of "what could be." It is a co-operative search for the strengths, passions and life-giving forces that are found within every system—those factors that hold the potential for inspired, positive change (27/08/08)

The Cycle” Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Imagine/ Dream “What might be?” Imagine/ Dream “What might be?” Innovate/ Design “What should be?” Innovate/ Design “What should be?” Implement/ Deliver Navigate the change Implement innovation Implement/ Deliver Navigate the change Implement innovation Head Teachers as educational leaders Encompass model of AI

Inquire / Discover Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Head Teachers as Educational Leaders Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Head Teachers as Educational Leaders Together we inquired / discovered what we value most about our work as Head Teachers.

Problem Focused

AI’s invitation asks…… “What is the smallest change that can make the biggest difference?”

Appreciative Inquiry Principles We move in directions of what we ask questions about; So by deliberately asking positive questions we create constructive dialogue and inspired action

Saul Steinberg 1961 Asking the right question?

Communication vs Conversation Drawing by Saul Steinberg Image: Digestivo CulturalDigestivo Cultural

Meat in the Sandwich Or a strengths based approach….

DISCOVER One goal is to seek the root cause of success

Dream Participants use positive stories in the same way an artist uses paints to create a portrait of the community's potential. They think great thoughts and create great possibilities for their community, then turn those thoughts into provocative propositions for themselves.

Imagine/ Dream Imagine/ Dream “What might be?” Imagine/ Dream “What might be?” Head Teachers as Educational Leaders

If you can dream it, you can do it Walt Disney

Think Different to Be Different.

SWSI HEAD TEACHER NETWORK First meeting 12 March 2008 Aim To discuss strategies to support Head Teachers Identify and discuss possible support mechanisms and training needs for Head Teachers Submission for a 2008 Reframe the Future Project was successful Our Aim

Reframing the Future The HT Network focused on Increasing the productivity of the VET workforce and contribute to the productivity of the Australian workforce. In context of the AQTF and chose Appreciative Inquiry as a methodology as an organisational change management tool.

Imagine/ Dream Imagine/ Dream “What might be?” Imagine/ Dream “What might be?” Head Teachers as Educational Leaders Imagine /Dreaming The HT network is about creating the possibilities of managing our work loads, (system) understanding our roles and responsibilities and having a strong dynamic role (strategy) in the SWSI as a cohesive and inclusive level of the management team (structure). Supporting and inviting (skills) others (staff) to work collaborative to offer the best teaching and learning experience possible to individuals and organisations. The core group becomes a support to other HT's (shared values)- gains new learning and the cycle continues. We create a provocative proposition.

Innovate/ Design Innovate/ Design “What should be?” Innovate/ Design “What should be?” Head Teachers as Educational Leaders HT Network HT Kit HT Mentoring program HT Forum AI methodology

Deliver Moving into action Ideas become actions Mentoring with TAFE NSW Managers Association HT Kit is being tailored to the SWSI context HT Network invites you to join the Network

Head Teacher Network Come and join with us for an afternoon of networking. Find out about the Head Teacher Kit, the mentoring program and discuss your professional development opportunities for Where: Liverpool ETC When: 3rd December, 2008 Time: for lunch, 1-4pm

Implement / Deliver Implement/ Deliver Navigate the change Implement innovation Implement/ Deliver Navigate the change Implement innovation Head Teachers as Educational Leaders Mentoring HT Forum -Using AI to invite others -Launch HT network HT Kit -implementation Evaluation

Inquire / Discover Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Head Teachers as Educational Leaders Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Inquire/ Discover Appreciating the best of ‘What is” Imagine/ Dream “What might be?” Imagine/ Dream “What might be?” Innovate/ Design “What should be?” Innovate/ Design “What should be?” Implement/ Deliver Navigate the change Implement innovation Implement/ Deliver Navigate the change Implement innovation Head Teachers as educational leaders Senior Staff Forum

If you think you are too small to make a difference try sleeping with a mozzie. African Proverb