End date:
2024-12-04
Place:
Bratislava
Participants:
· Jan Vermiřovský – Elementary School and Preschool, Ostrava
· Pavel Schneider – Elementary School and Preschool, Nunčice
· Lenka Špittová – Křešice Elementary School and Preschool
· Veronika Urban Volfová – Prague Barrandov Elementary School and Preschool
· Marek Adler – Be Open Elementary School
· Zdeněk Šuster – Blatnice Elementary School
· Hana Stýblová, Luboš Zajíc – AŘZŠ
· Miluše Trojanová – Dolní Břežany Preschool
1. 11 October 2024 – face-to-face meeting
2. 8 November 2024 – online meeting (9:00–11:00)
3. December 4, 2024 – in person (as part of the RAABE Bratislava conference)
Meeting location: 1st meeting online, 2nd meeting online, 3rd meeting in Bratislava
· Pavel Schneider – Elementary School and Preschool, Nunčice
· Lenka Špittová – Křešice Elementary School and Preschool
· Veronika Urban Volfová – Prague Barrandov Elementary School and Preschool
· Marek Adler – Be Open Elementary School
· Zdeněk Šuster – Blatnice Elementary School
· Hana Stýblová, Luboš Zajíc – AŘZŠ
· Miluše Trojanová – Dolní Břežany Preschool
1. 11 October 2024 – face-to-face meeting
2. 8 November 2024 – online meeting (9:00–11:00)
3. December 4, 2024 – in person (as part of the RAABE Bratislava conference)
Meeting location: 1st meeting online, 2nd meeting online, 3rd meeting in Bratislava
Facilitator:
PhDr. Václav Trojan, Ph.D., Director's Academy
Number of meetings:
3
Circle Objective:
· Reflect on the previous topic (Topic 1 – Change Management)
· Reflect on experiences from the implementation of two circles in spring 2024
· Critically evaluate the chapter on school management with clarity and motivation
· Put together a pilot group composed of principals of Czech elementary schools
· Prepare comments on the material for facilitators of principal circles (Mastermind groups)
· Share and pass on experiences from specific schools
· Recruit future facilitators for headteacher groups
· Hold meetings and practice the mastermind circle method
· Combine the facilitation method with the handbook created in activity no. 1
· Focus activities on the topic of motivation and working with a team of teaching staff
· Reflect on experiences from the implementation of two circles in spring 2024
· Critically evaluate the chapter on school management with clarity and motivation
· Put together a pilot group composed of principals of Czech elementary schools
· Prepare comments on the material for facilitators of principal circles (Mastermind groups)
· Share and pass on experiences from specific schools
· Recruit future facilitators for headteacher groups
· Hold meetings and practice the mastermind circle method
· Combine the facilitation method with the handbook created in activity no. 1
· Focus activities on the topic of motivation and working with a team of teaching staff
Description of topic:
The purpose of the first meeting was to reflect on the work of the entire working group, review the principles of the method used, work with the circle, and verify and understand the topic of school leadership with clarity and motivation.
In the second and third meetings, the participants worked with their specific experiences within the given topic, reflected on their experiences and insights, and proposed generally applicable solutions.
The circle consists of six members and is led by a facilitator. The pilot circle of principals took place in this phase in the fall of 2024 in the form of three facilitated meetings, two online and one in person. The content will be to go through the relevant chapter of the handbook and, with the help of the facilitator, reflect on this knowledge in practice, thus learning and developing specific solutions in the given topics together with each of the participants.
In the second and third meetings, the participants worked with their specific experiences within the given topic, reflected on their experiences and insights, and proposed generally applicable solutions.
The circle consists of six members and is led by a facilitator. The pilot circle of principals took place in this phase in the fall of 2024 in the form of three facilitated meetings, two online and one in person. The content will be to go through the relevant chapter of the handbook and, with the help of the facilitator, reflect on this knowledge in practice, thus learning and developing specific solutions in the given topics together with each of the participants.
Key points of discussion:
Participants discussed at length their work with the teaching staff, motivation, and the current topic of creating a joint school education program. Together, they identified factors contributing to negative behavior among staff and sought causes and possible solutions. The activities in this topic followed on organically from the previous topic of change management and drew on previous experience.
The main problematic factors were identified as follows:
· underestimation of communication with the teaching team
· underestimation of joint work on the vision and strategy leading to its implementation
· unwillingness of teaching staff to work together
· teaching staff's fears of leaving their comfort zone
As part of the project, a handbook was created for school principals and other school leaders, with the aim of supporting new school leaders and complementing the development of experienced principals in the area of people management and the changes we are currently experiencing in society. However, simply reading the handbook is not enough. Our goal is to facilitate joint discussion, reflection, and sharing of good experiences and ideas on four key topics. Therefore, the second step after creating the handbook is to test the so-called Circle of Principals.
The main problematic factors were identified as follows:
· underestimation of communication with the teaching team
· underestimation of joint work on the vision and strategy leading to its implementation
· unwillingness of teaching staff to work together
· teaching staff's fears of leaving their comfort zone
As part of the project, a handbook was created for school principals and other school leaders, with the aim of supporting new school leaders and complementing the development of experienced principals in the area of people management and the changes we are currently experiencing in society. However, simply reading the handbook is not enough. Our goal is to facilitate joint discussion, reflection, and sharing of good experiences and ideas on four key topics. Therefore, the second step after creating the handbook is to test the so-called Circle of Principals.
Conclusions and recommendations:
1. We recommend that the group facilitator be carefully prepared
2. It is essential to build a safe and open environment for all participants
3. Careful selection of topics
4. Advance preparation, forms, and topics should not be underestimated. Participants must know the content of the sub-meeting in advance so that they can think about the topic they will bring to the meeting.
5. Adherence to the meeting schedule – the method is carefully designed and tested, and each part, especially its length, is necessary to maintain the dynamics of the entire meeting.
2. It is essential to build a safe and open environment for all participants
3. Careful selection of topics
4. Advance preparation, forms, and topics should not be underestimated. Participants must know the content of the sub-meeting in advance so that they can think about the topic they will bring to the meeting.
5. Adherence to the meeting schedule – the method is carefully designed and tested, and each part, especially its length, is necessary to maintain the dynamics of the entire meeting.
Proposed solutions:
The method can be used for all groups of directors, from newcomers to experienced ones. We recommend working carefully with future facilitators in the area of motivation and explaining how to work with this specific method.
Threats/risks identified:
The basic risk of the method is the initial apprehension of participants due to the disclosure of sensitive information to strangers. We recommend including icebreaker activities and emphasizing a safe environment for all participants. Another risk is failure to adhere to the schedule; the method requires precise division of the individual parts of the mastermind circles.