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. 20h ago

    How Self-Care Sustains Collaborative Cultures with Barb Flowers - Ep 96

    Access a workshop guide to help your team unpack their norms and help them have a greater impact on your collaborative efforts - https://bit.ly/jlnorms 10 Considerations To Transform Your Team MeetingsAccess a FREE webinar to transform how you plan and facilitate effective team meetings - https://bit.ly/transformteams In this replay episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis and joined by Barb Flowers, an educator turned coach and host of The Principal’s Handbook podcast and The Teacher Burnout podcast. In the episode, we explore Barb’s insights into the connection between self-care, resilience, and building collaborative school cultures. We’ll also dive into her journey from school leadership to supporting educators through her coaching practice. Learn more about Barb at BarbFlowersCoaching.com --------- Connect with Barb FlowersEmail barb@barbflowerscoaching.comFacebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090309256560LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/barb-flowers-ph-d-0172812b1/ Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca Twitter @hewsonk27 LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson  Connect with Lorna Hewson Email lorna.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca Twitter @LornaHewson Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hewson-713a59104 --------- Learn more about Collaborative Response https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tbgetTdAiA&t=0s  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 - if interested in ordering the book, use the code JLPodcast10 to receive 10% off! Learn more about WeCollab and access a FREE three month trialhttps://jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab.ca  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.caX https://www.twitter.com/Jigsaw_LearningFacebook https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Music: “Culture of Collaboration” has been composed, recorded, and produced by Trent Ferguson for Building a Culture of Collaboration. Images: Visuals included in this video not generated under agreement with Jigsaw Learning Inc. have been carefully selected under Creative Commons for their permissions. ______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems 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/

    39 min
  2. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    FRIDAY FOCUS - Keeping a Tally of Who Spoke

    ______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems 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/

    2 min
  3. 5d ago

    Motivate Staff and Drive Student Success with Visual Scoreboards - Ep 95

    In this weeks pdcast of Building a Culture of Collaboration , Kurtis and Lorna reflect on the value of visualizing data for your school team to create focus, urgency and celebration, ensuring that data is being utilized to track and celebrate progress.  Creating visual scoreboards for your data can make a substantial impact on focusing your collaborative efforts! Connected Resources:Free Webinar - 5 Mistakes Leaders Make When Organizing Data for Teams - https://bit.ly/5mistakesdata Free Article - Collaborative Meeting Spaces: A Guide for Leaders When Designing Spaces to Enhance Collaboration - https://bit.ly/CR-overview   ______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems 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/

    19 min
  4. Jun 2

    Strengthening Teams Through High-Impact Collaboration Structures with David K Richards - Ep 94

    Did you know EVERY school needs four layers of teams to not only respond to the needs of students but build instructional capacity with intentionality and focus?  Learn more in a FREE webinar, Layering Team Meetings: bit.ly/layeringteams  If you have been introduced to Collaborative Response, you may be asking yourself “where do I start?”  We have a free resource to help you get started!  Download our free Introducing Collaborative Response bit.ly/top10-cr In this replay episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis are joined by David K Richards, Founder & CEO of Changemaker Microschools, a network of affiliate love-based microschools and an incubator for school founders who want to usher in a new paradigm for the future of education. They discuss why structures and processes are so critical when setting up high impact collaborative efforts and why we should be considering what works when setting up collaborative endeavours for students when planning for collaboration involving adults! Learn more about David’s work at https://www.davidkrichards.com/ Learn more about Changemaker Edu Microschools at https://www.changemakereducation.com/ --------- Connect with David K RichardsEmail david@davidkrichards.comFacebook https://www.facebook.com/davidkcoachingLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-k-richards-a1b43753/ Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca X @hewsonk27 LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson  Connect with Lorna Hewson Email lorna.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca X @LornaHewson Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hewson-713a59104 ______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems 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/

    56 min
  5. May 29 ·  Bonus

    FRIDAY FOCUS - Stop Using a Blank Doc to Record Meeting Notes

    ______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems 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/

    2 min
  6. May 28

    How to Create Facilitation Opportunities to Build Leadership Capacity - Ep 93

    4 Mistakes Leaders Make When Planning for Collaborative Team Meetings We highlight four common mistakes leaders often make when planning their first collaborative team meetings. Enroll Today ➡️ bit.ly/4mistakesCTM In this weeks podcast of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis and Lorna discuss the why you should be creating opportunities for the facilitator role in meetings to change and the impact it can have on your overall culture of collaboration. Connected Resources:Guide - Transform Your Team Meetings: Five Planning Considerations for Leaders - https://bit.ly/5planningteams Webinar - 10 Considerations to Transform Your Team Meetings - https://www.jigsawlearningonline.com/10-considerations-to-transform-your-team-meetings-registration Blog - Examining Collaborative Team Meetings - Question and Discussion Resources - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publications/blog-posts/questioning-and-purposeful-discussion-collaborative-team-mee Template - Meeting Role Table Displays - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aWT41ZBV9sVpkEGn-nQQNBvbHIDL0yOUwZlQ_wLtpCc/edit?usp=sharing  ______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems #MTSS 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/

    24 min
  7. May 26

    Leveraging External Team Members to Meet Diverse Student Needs with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan - Ep 92

    The Developing a Continuum of Supports workshop guide helps teams identify actionable supports across the school for all students regardless of their needs from universal classroom practice to individualized intensive supports.  👉bit.ly/jlcontinuum Check out the FREE checklist and resource guide, focused on effectively planning a collaborative space in your school - https://bit.ly/spacechecklist In this replay episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis engage in conversation with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, the founder and owner/operator of Dr. Karen, LLC, and host of the DeFacto Leaders podcast.  We dig into what Dr. Karen believes are the necessary ingredients for schools when building high impact collaborative cultures that engage various service providers to support the diverse needs of students. Access Dr. Karen’s website at drkarendudekbrannan.com or at drkarenspeech.com ---------Connect with Dr. Karen Email kldudek1980@gmail.comTwitter @drkaren2014LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-dudek-brannan/ Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca Twitter @hewsonk27 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson  Connect with Lorna Hewson Email lorna.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca Twitter @LornaHewson Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hewson-713a59104 --------- Related Resources Executive Functioning Implementation Guide - drkarendudekbrannan.com/efguide Executive Functioning Training - drkarendudekbrannan.com/efleadership ______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems #MTSS 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/

    47 min
  8. May 22 ·  Bonus

    FRIDAY FOCUS - Setting up the Room for Collaboration

    ______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems 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/

    2 min
5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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!