Collaborative Inquiry CoP Workshop at Margaret Allen Middle--June 29, 2016

 Leaders from three Collaborative Inquiry Community of Practice (CoP) schools (Haynes, Margaret Allen, and Neely's Bend) met together at Margaret Allen Middle on June 29, 2016.  The purpose of the workshop was to define and model the collaborative inquiry process and plan for implementing it during the 2016-2017 school year.

One of the lessons learned from the spring CoP was the need for a clear definition of collaborative inquiry.  Therefore, during this meeting, the definition created by the CoP was articulated explicitly (see image).  As a result we have the Collaborative Learning Cycle and MNPS IC Map for Collaborative Inquiry providing a clearer picture of the collaborative inquiry process.

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The other big lesson learned this spring is the idea of The Learning and Unlearning Journey.  In Day 1 of the Leading Collaborative Teams workshop, Dr. Laura Lipton (2016) discussed that sometimes to learn new practices, we have to unlearn existing habits.  Therefore, to foster a culture of collaboration, we need to work together to unlearn a culture of compliance.  There's no checklist for establishing a collaborative culture.  Just like when I was in the classroom as a teacher, as soon as I thought I had the art of teaching mastered, I would get new students, parents, and team member.  Working together in our CoP, I am confident we will continue to improve.

Speaking of improving, I have had several requests for videos that model the collaborative inquiry process.  I have a video of the central office meeting I facilitated and hope to get assistance in getting the video ready to share.  If anyone in our CoP is a video guru, please contact me at margie.johnson@mnps.org as I would appreciate your assistance.

For access to the resources used for the CoP Workshop, please use this LINK.

Finally, our CoP has a Workshop Warehouse that has information about all the workshops provided to build our capacity to foster a culture of collaboration.  There are also several CI workshops scheduled, so if you are interested in attending any of them, please feel free to let me know.  You can get the list of Upcoming Workshops at this LINK.

Hope you are having a great summer!!

Reference:
Lipton, L. & Wellman, B. (2011).  Leading groups: Effective strategies for building professional community.  Sherman, CT: MiraVia, Inc.

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