1. Crucial Conversations: Moving Learning Forward Through Effective Feedback Presented by Bruce Mellesmoen
Bruce Mellesmoen
Vice Principal
Hepburn School
Hepburn, Saskatchewan
Prairie Spirit School Division

2. BIG IDEAS
Why is it important to have crucial conversations with staff members? What does it take to have crucial conversations with staff members?

3. PLAN Note: this presentation can be found at bmellesmoen.weebly.com/
Know yourself
Philosophy of education
Effective learning
Know your staff
How have you built relationships?
How will you build relationships?
What makes a conversation crucial?
The W’s
Structure
Follow Up
Practice
Wrap Up

5. KNOW YOURSELF
Take a moment to review your philosophy of education. Activity: With an elbow partner… Person 1: share your philosophy Person 2: paraphrase person 1’s philosophy, highlighting what you feel is at the core of their philosophy Repeat

6. Knowing yourself as a leader
QUESTION 1
Why is it important to be clear on your philosophy of education?
Knowing yourself as a leader

8. Knowing yourself as a leader
EFFECTIVE LEARNING
Take some time to think about what effective student learning looks like and what effective student learning sounds like.
Activity: With an elbow partner…
Person 1: share your thinking
Person 2: paraphrase partners thoughts
Repeat
Knowing yourself as a leader

9. Knowing yourself as a leader
QUESTION 2
Why is it important to have an understanding of what effective student learning looks and sounds like?
Knowing yourself as a leader

11. The importance of relationships
KNOW YOUR STAFF
What are some ways you get to know your students each year? Share some of your most effective ways with someone at your table.
The importance of relationships

12. Knowing yourself as a leader
QUESTION 3
Why is it important to know your students?
Knowing yourself as a leader

13. Knowing yourself as a leader
KNOW YOUR STAFF
Thinking about the ways you get to know your students, are there some things that would apply to getting to know your staff? What are some things you could do to get to know your staff that you would not likely do with your students?
Knowing yourself as a leader

14. Knowing yourself as a leader
QUESTION 4
Why is it important to know your staff?
Knowing yourself as a leader

15. I BELIEVE
If you truly want to move student learning forward in your building you must be in and around the students when they are in your building. I believe the majority of your administrative time needs to be spent in classrooms.

16. CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS
What are they? Conversations between professionals where the desired result is a change to practice When should they happen? These can happen at any time during the school year, even in June, but the key is they should not be delayed or avoided Who is involved? Feelings will be involved, so you need to only involve those that are directly impacted (i.e. I rarely have other people in on these conversations) Why are they important? We are responsible for student learning, if there is something standing in the way of this it is our duty to take action
Those “tough” conversations

18. CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS
What I do:
Gather evidence
What have I seen & heard that has lead to this conversation
Prepare
Think about all the great things this staff member has done
Be clear about the area(s) for growth
Document!
I always have a copy of what I want to share with the teacher, they get this copy
I work very hard to share examples of things the teacher has done well
I put the area(s) for growth in writing, avoiding generalizations or vague language
Follow up
This is critical, it shows the teacher you care!
Those “tough” conversations

19. CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS
Let’s Practice! You have been very impressed with a relatively new teacher who seems to have great relationships with students and has been a leader in creating innovative, engaging lessons. One thing you have noticed is that this teacher’s students are frequently out of the classroom and are regularly off task when unsupervised. The students eventually get their work done, and for the most part it is acceptable. Is there a need for a crucial conversation, and if so, what questions would you ask this teacher to help move learning forward?
Those “tough” conversations

20. CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS
Let’s Practice! You have had a recent addition to your elementary teaching staff and have noticed she has been using a star chart as method of rewarding “good” behavior. Is there a need for a crucial conversation, and if so, what questions would you ask this teacher to help move learning forward?
Those “tough” conversations

21. CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS
Let’s Practice! You have recently been appointed the principal of a K – 12 school in a small Saskatchewan community. You have noticed one of your female caretakers dresses in a very revealing fashion and you have heard teachers and students talking about how inappropriate this is. Is there a need for a crucial conversation, and if so, what questions would you ask this employee?
Those “tough” conversations

22. BOOK PLUG (NO, NOT MINE)

23. BIG IDEAS….revisited
Why is it important to have crucial conversations with staff members? What does it take to have crucial conversations with staff members?

24. Questions
Now is the time for you to ask questions about crucial conversations or anything else regarding learning leadership you might be wondering about? You can also me at if your question pops in your head in a couple weeks at the lake 

25. Thank you!