Your supervisor asks if this was a good use of your time... by Heather Yuhaniak

Valued that these sessions were planned ahead of time and that I blocked off the time on my schedule to shift away from other things and use it for myself.

lindabw — 2023-12-14 15:07:27 UTC

A great use of time.

christopher_klein1 — 2023-12-14 15:07:39 UTC

Especially when it comes to facilitating equity/ABAR material, I've found that many facilitators I'm charged with supporting find that they need to be the "hero" facilitator (rather than the host). I've already shared the article and the concept with them--that its actually preferable to be a host. It is a freeing paradigm shift that I did not have language to express before.

Every session was meaningful and relevant for me to be a better facilitator.

When I was able to attend the sessions were very valuable. I liked being in small groups with staff from other offices to listen to their experieces and perspective. The book has tools that will be helpful when providing Professional Learning or other situations that I am part of as a facilitator.

2023-12-14 15:08:16 UTC

Liked how the sessions were spread out over time so that there was something new to reflect on and I could apply and get feedback on my learning over time.

lindabw — 2023-12-14 15:08:18 UTC

Good use!

amy_g_larsen — 2023-12-14 15:08:21 UTC

While new in this role and not having facilitated more than dept meetings, these sessions have helped me reflect on what things I should be aware of, plan for, and consider as I will develop and deliver prof learning moving forward. Biggest takeaways- all voices heard, when to lean in/lean out, ways to make the PD space safe. LOVED the smaller group discussion time and focus as well as the high number of scenarios presented to navigate.

Directly related to my role of facilitating PD with staff, relevant strategies and concepts can be applied to PD and in interactions with others, appreciated being able to discuss and apply

2023-12-14 15:08:25 UTC

ashley_m_bell — 2023-12-14 15:08:27 UTC

Well for starters, this training was fabulous! I've learned that art of being a flexible, present and aware facilitator who's able to navigate the nuances of teaching a group of experienced, opinionated adult learners. I particularly appreciated the learning around being a hero vs. host and today's session around navigating those "yikes" moments.

cindy_c_villavicencio — 2023-12-14 15:08:32 UTC

Pertinent learning to continue developing our skills as responsive and engaging facilitators. Ongoing professional development keeps us reflective, present, and attuned to how we do our work effectively for the people we serve

I would like to continue...

2023-12-14 15:08:42 UTC

the sessions provided me with permission to reflect and learn new ways to be able to facilitiate in a more culturally responsive way and to examine my own practices, I also had the opportuity to hear from other colleagues and how they use their strengths in facilitating. The book provided a very effective backdrop for the sessions to guide research-based discussions in this filed.

jodiachesman — 2023-12-14 15:08:51 UTC

Unfortunatley i was not able to attend all of the sessions, but I would like to if offered again. I found that the information i was present for was excellent and provided opporunity and ideas for me to reflect on my work as a facilitator. It has given me ideas of things i want to do different, better, etc. I woudl really like my team of 35 trainers to be able to have some or all of this learning opportunity. I have never been given PD to help me as someone who is always providing PD to others. thank you

Good way to develop cross office relationships. You don't need to have a purpose for working with new people, but the value will come out organically in unpredictable ways.

lindabw — 2023-12-14 15:09:19 UTC

Fantastic use of time!

2023-12-14 15:09:50 UTC

This was a fantastic use of my time! I was able to hear different perspectives, different techniques, and ideas so I can add them to my toolbox and impact my division. This is beneficial because we do not always have to re-invent the wheel and can hear others so we can apply them to our specific needs. I'd love for you (supervisor) to attend this the next time it's offered so we all support your vision better and be better facilitators!

2023-12-14 15:09:59 UTC

This was a good use of my time. I enjoyed working with and listening to colleagues from other offices. We don't often have the time/space to learn from each other.

I also appreciate how Heather and Lindsey modeled excellent facilitation skills with kindness, high skill, care, and humor.

I like to plan ahead and control what I can. I am learning that anti-racist work requires flexibility and releasing control. I am also learning how to PLAN for flexibility and releasing control.

2023-12-14 15:10:01 UTC

5 stars

2023-12-14 15:10:07 UTC

Yes, it gave me confidence and validated a lot of my instincts. It helped me feel more connect to other people because everyone was so engaged and interested. I would seek out more similar opportunities.

Very helpful!

2023-12-14 15:10:21 UTC

Good to know that even the most skilled of facilitators experience challenges and missteps.

Taking away new tools for navigating challenging situations and a framework for determining how to respond.

2023-12-14 15:10:24 UTC

This course was a great use of time. It was actually recommended by my supervisor. The content was directly related to my role, and I felt that I had a community to discuss complex topics with. I have found myself looking forward to theses sessions and sad they are not continuing. I hope that there can be more in the future. These sessions have helped to develop my skill set and build my capacity. I also felt like a part of a community which was really nice as I recently moved out of a school building. Your course demonstrated that communities can take place virtually. Thank You!

A great use of the time for reflection on facilitating groups. I think our team could use time to process the same learning so that we could grow and come together as a team.

2023-12-14 15:10:26 UTC

2023-12-14 15:10:36 UTC

The material and content was directly related to my role and helped me to reflect on my own work as a facilitator - as well as my work supporting SDTs in their professional learning. I really connected with the topics including sources of power, hero/host facilitators - and the activity today where we brainstormed how to handle challenging situations in facilitation.

2023-12-14 15:10:43 UTC

Having the vocabulary to specifically identify elements of facilitation - extremely helpful in trying to explain/working with others on their facilitation skills.

Being able to take the time/think through who I am as a facilitator - and what changes I can make.

Would love to work together with Heather/Lindsey to develop a similar training for a team leader retreat at my site.

resources and modeling

2023-12-14 15:11:28 UTC

Appreciate getting the book and to see the facilitators modeling the practices within each session, we were able to discuss, reflect and apply concepts- great training!

Adaptive Facilitation Training Reflection

2023-12-14 15:11:39 UTC

The training was very beneficial and served to be reminded of the following:

be aware and sensitive to group dynamics. Everyone enters a space from various points of view
The Skill sets of Adaptive Facilitation on page 224-225 was helpful in that their are many nuances of adaptive facilitation - emotional intelligence, cultural humility, clear communication and reflection.
The typology of Transformative PD was something that resonated with me the most - Purpose, audience, technique and "you"
Big Idea Understand your emotions and expect others to react emotionally to content and attend to learner needs
Great PD

This has been a wonderful opportunity to hone skills, reflect in a safe space and generate new ideas!!! Thank so beneficial :)

charlenemparilla — 2023-12-14 15:11:51 UTC

I found all the courses to be informative and helpful in the moment. The challenge will be to apply what I have learned, reflected on, etc.

2023-12-14 15:14:54 UTC

The music played during reading and writing tasks was a bit distracting.

2023-12-14 15:15:31 UTC

2023-12-14 15:15:33 UTC

These times were a great time to feel included and appreciated. They taught me in a very interactive way with alike colleagues how to empower and include many voices in spaces I facilitate. But more importantly how to honor people's emotions before asking and taking a stance of curiosity. I loved the saying Curiosity over Defensiveness can a very simple powerful approach to live by. Asset-based thinking and hoping you will always learn something from someone else. Even if they do not seem to think like you.

Where do I begin?

mariemarino — 2023-12-14 15:15:34 UTC

This training gave me an opportunity to collaborate across teams, offices, and programs. When connections are strengthened in our MCPS community, everyone benefits. I was also able to focus on growing my skills with the people side of facilitating trainings. I learned strategies to manage the emotions that come up, particularly with ABAR work, so that I lean into them and feel prepared to navigate them instead of shying away from the work for fear of conflict. I enjoyed examining sources of power and hero to host leadership and shared so many resources and concepts with the team leaders and equity committee leaders that I work with to build capacity and spread the knowledge.

Once more, a great course from great staff!

2023-12-14 15:15:37 UTC

This was a fantastic use of my time. The book, the slides, the discussions, the breakout rooms have all been helpful. I have already been using lots of the tips and techniques I have learned and have put them in practice.

THANK YOU!

Response to Supervisor

2023-12-14 15:15:45 UTC

I think the key for my response is that as an educator and Instructional Leader I am never done learning. In order to keep up with best practices that can then influence school leaders and staff through my work I have to continously reflect, learn and grow. Through this adaptive facilitation training I am able to be more aware of my facilitation strengths and areas of growth. This allows me to have a different perspective on future facilitation and be flexible in my approach to leading this work.

cindy_c_villavicencio — 2023-12-14 15:16:31 UTC

I found the learning series very informative and well-executed. In session one, a takeaway that I have practiced but made sure to become more consistent with is how I open a session. As a black female facilitator, I appreciated the opportunity to express what it feels like to work facilitation in spaces where participants are primarily white. I found value in the Hero vs Host reflection work.

2023-12-14 15:16:44 UTC

adria_n_snyder — 2023-12-14 15:16:58 UTC

The sessions I was able to participate in were wonderfully led, and demonstrated adaptive facilitation while we were engaged in the learning. I look forward to reviewing the slides for the sessions I missed, but I feel that I have already been able to implement parts of the training in my work. Thank you!

All the things

mary_c_hart — 2023-12-14 15:17:43 UTC

I agree with all the things others have stated. This was relevant and meaningful to my work. I would also add that this was an incredibly effective way to dig into a text (that the county bought us) and make meaning from it that I will actually apply. I our dept. we get many texts, but rarely have the time to read and process them. Processing in community added to my understanding and the connections to other texts offered helped me build awareness of skills I have and skills I want to continue to build. Thank you!

Summary of Session Learning

2023-12-14 15:19:09 UTC

In the first session, I learned about how to understand, expect, embrace, and decolonize emotions (my own and those of my participants) and ways to generate pleasant emotions. In the second session, I learned about different types of power, how to use and navigate power, and how to dissolve resistance. In the third session, I learned about hero leaders vs. host leaders and how to respond to various challenges. Today I used spheres of influence to identify how to respond to detours while facilitating.

Intentional!

nadiyahaherrera — 2023-12-14 15:22:20 UTC

These sessions were very well planned and truly provided opportunities for us (the participants) to actively witness how to be an adaptive facilitator. All the resources shared, The PD Book, and activities were amazing and enhanced the learning during the sessions. These sessions have truly pushed be to become more reflective as a facilitator and continue to evaluate how I show up in spaces and leverage power and control.