Building a Culture of Collaboration

Jigsaw Learning

Are you an educational leader or administrator searching for actionable strategies to build effective teams? In the Building a Culture of Collaboration podcast, Jigsaw Learning co-founders Kurtis and Lorna Hewson provide simple, purposeful tips to help you tackle meeting frustration, disengagement, and unproductive teamwork. This is your essential resource for advancing school improvement and collective efficacy. You will find practical ideas for mastering effective meetings, where you learn the structures, roles, and agendas required to ensure your team meetings (PLCs, staff, student support) are focused and drive action. You'll discover how to shift your organization's mindset from isolated practice to powerful, shared responsibility for ALL students—this is key to teamwork and collaboration. Finally, you'll gain the leadership strategies needed to intentionally build a robust and sustainable culture that maximizes collective capacity and student success. We also talk with thought leaders outside of education, to grow our understanding of effective collaboration and teamwork. Subscribe today to master the art of intentional collaboration and take your leadership to the next level!

  1. 2d ago

    Are Your School Goals Really SMART? - Ep111

    Turn Ideas Into Action 💡Get the Crafting Team Goals Toolkit - bit.ly/jlgoals In this weeks podcast, Kurtis and Lorna break down what is a SMART goal and how their development can have a tremendous impact of team collaborative efforts when building upon and improving Tier 1 practices within your school's MTSS efforts. Connected Resources:Crafting Effective Team Goals - Collaborative Leader Toolkit - https://bit.ly/jlgoalsSMART Goal Overview Video - https://youtu.be/dlTcCi_EQtsOn-Demand Workshop - Creating Focus For Collaborative Planning WITHOUT Micromanaging Your Team - https://bit.ly/collabfocus ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!!  FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview  Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.caEmail - questions@jigsawlearning.caFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS  #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

  2. 4d ago

    Why Your Teachers Are Resisting Collaboration (And How to Fix It) with Becca Silver - EP 110

    Wondering which leadership books help build strong, collaborative teams?We’ve got you covered!  Download the list! - https://bit.ly/102reads Use This With Your Team 🔄 Ensure you are truly engaging as a team - https://bit.ly/JLgroupteam  Is your school's collaborative culture stuck in "surface-level compliance"?  In this episode of the Building a Culture of Collaboration podcast, we sit down with Becca Silver, founder of The Whole Educator and author of 'The Resistance Solution.' Becca explains why traditional collaboration protocols fail when we don't understand the underlying fears, beliefs, and unmet needs of our staff.  If you are a school leader, instructional coach, or district administrator tired of heavy silence or polite nodding in meetings, this episode is a masterclass in turning resistance into a roadmap for trust and ownership. Learn more about Becca Silver at http://www.thewholeeducator.com #SchoolLeadership #InstructionalCoaching #TeacherCollaboration #EducationPodcast #SchoolCulture #TheWholeEducator--------- Connect with Becca SilverEmail: becca@thewholeeducator.comX: https://x.com/BeccaSilver_eduLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-silver/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWholeEducatorPodcast: https://www.thewholeeducator.com/podcast Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email: kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca X: @hewsonk27Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hewsonk27 LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson  Connect with Lorna Hewson Email: lorna.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca X: @LornaHewson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hewson-713a59104 #collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!!  FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview  Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.caEmail - questions@jigsawlearning.caFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS  #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

  3. Oct 1

    Beyond the Data Calendar: Connecting Measures, Timing & Action - Ep109

    📊 Get Your Data Organized!!  FREE Webinar→  bit.ly/5mistakesdata In this weekls podcast, Kurtis and Lorna discuss the value of developing a strategic and aligned data calendar for key measures established for a school. Connected Resources:Data Planning Calendar sample - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oIFBO4cYLx1zx9UrEv33xHu0sHLUkPQW/view?usp=sharing On-Demand Workshop - Establishing a School-Wide Data and Evidence Plan - https://www.jigsawlearningonline.com/establishing-a-school-wide-data-and-evidence-plan-10-considerations-to-maximize-the-use-of-data-in-your-school-main-page  ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!!  FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview  Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.caEmail - questions@jigsawlearning.caFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS  #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

  4. Sep 29

    What to Do When Collaborative Teams Aren't Working with Chrissy Beltran - Ep 108

    Access the FREE Transform Your Team Meetings guide, including a meeting agenda template to copy and begin using today - https://bit.ly/5planningteams 📊 Get Your Data Organized and work for YOU!!  FREE Webinar→  bit.ly/5mistakesdata In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis sits down with returning guest Chrissy Beltran, author of "Expand Your Coaching Toolbox" and host of the Instructional Coaching with Ms. B podcast. Together, they explore what to do when teams aren't truly collaborative, how to recognize dysfunctional team dynamics, and practical strategies leaders and instructional coaches can use to foster genuine alignment, knowledge building, and collective efficacy.  Learn more about Chrissy Beltran at http://www.buzzingwithmsb.com Access the 5 day coaching challenge mentioned in this podcast at http://www.buzzingwithmsb.com/cycles  Get your copy of the Expand Your Coaching Toolbox at https://www.ascd.org/books/expand-your-coaching-toolbox?variant=126034  --------- Connect with Chrissy BeltranEmail: chrissy@buzzingwithmsb.comLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissy-beltran-898756263/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuzzingWithMsB Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email: kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hewsonk27 LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson  ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!!  FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview  Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.caEmail - questions@jigsawlearning.caFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS  #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

  5. Sep 24

    Are you screening students—or just collecting data? - Ep107

    📊 Get Your Data Organized Complimentary Webinar→  bit.ly/5mistakesdata In this weeks podcast, Kurtis and Lorna discuss what is a universal screen, how to get started with screeners in your school and some considerations for leaders to maximize the use of screeners. Learn more about the Data in Education Summit at https://data-in-education-jun2025.heysummit.com/ Connected Resources:Criteria and Considerations When Determining a Universal Screen - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oixdUrrvVBc0b0MnEOFgLo8Z0UB8YKHijgq6mH-o2tc/edit?usp=sharing On-Demand Workshop - Establishing a School-Wide Data and Evidence Plan - https://www.jigsawlearningonline.com/establishing-a-school-wide-data-and-evidence-plan-10-considerations-to-maximize-the-use-of-data-in-your-school-main-page  ______________________#collaboration #education #MTSS  #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse Are you looking to further your growth as a collaborative leader? Access numerous FREE resources and webinars designed to help you build and sustain a strong culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Interested in learning MORE about a framework that can transform your PLC and MTSS efforts? Access the FREE Overview of Collaborative Response Article https://bit.ly/CR-overview Explore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-intro Learn more about WeCollab and access a FREE trial.https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Become a JL Insider to receive access to newly added resources and video content, advance notice for sessions/workshops, discounts for learning events and resources, plus so much more! https://bit.ly/JLinsider  Join the Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, to engage in further conversations and resource sharing with others dedicated to ensuring effective teams and collaborative structures - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader 🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and click the little bell icon to be notified when @jigsaw_learning posts a new video! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website https://jigsawlearning.caEmail questions@jigsawlearning.caFacebook https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/

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About

Are you an educational leader or administrator searching for actionable strategies to build effective teams? In the Building a Culture of Collaboration podcast, Jigsaw Learning co-founders Kurtis and Lorna Hewson provide simple, purposeful tips to help you tackle meeting frustration, disengagement, and unproductive teamwork. This is your essential resource for advancing school improvement and collective efficacy. You will find practical ideas for mastering effective meetings, where you learn the structures, roles, and agendas required to ensure your team meetings (PLCs, staff, student support) are focused and drive action. You'll discover how to shift your organization's mindset from isolated practice to powerful, shared responsibility for ALL students—this is key to teamwork and collaboration. Finally, you'll gain the leadership strategies needed to intentionally build a robust and sustainable culture that maximizes collective capacity and student success. We also talk with thought leaders outside of education, to grow our understanding of effective collaboration and teamwork. Subscribe today to master the art of intentional collaboration and take your leadership to the next level!

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