Employee Breakout Meeting

After the introduction to the conference there were over 20 different breakout session provided to the group. A few days before the conference West Millbrook’s Administrative team met to go over the session that we would attend. This process allowed each of us to attend a different session and gather information to share when returning to work the following week. All principal and assistant principals were required to attend the breakout session entitles** I DON’T KNOE**. Within this session, schools reviewed their Teacher Working Condition Surveys and chose 3 area to address that correlated with the School Improvement Plans goals. This activity was very interesting and informative as well. However, West Millbrook was seated with my former school
Trice informed us that this type of conversation is imperative to our growth mind set as educators. He introduced four agreements of courageous conversation to remember when having what can be difficult conversations. Stay engaged, Speak your truth, Experience discomfort and Expect and accept non-closure. Stay engaged- When having a courageous conversation there are a few key points to remember when addressing an issue. This is vital to maintain eye contact with the participants. This indicates that you are respecting and taking interest in the conversation. Although courageous conversation can be challenging watching your facial expression is key. At times we tend to show our reaction on our faces when we are not in agreements with others. Speak your truth- You only have the ability to speak from your own experience and what you feel is true. Therefore, it is important to understand that your truth may not be the truth that someone else sees. Your goal is not to make the other participants believe what you are believe but understand your viewpoint. I believe that Stephen Covey said it best when he established one of his 7 Habits of H Highly Effective Middle Schoolers: Seek first to understand them to be