Sunrise School Division The Power of Appreciative Approaches Sunrise Administrative Team April 29, 2009

Welcome & Introductions n Denise Johnson, District Principal, Learning & Development, Vancouver School Board n Mary Filleul, Learning & Development Consultant, Vancouver School Board

Agenda Overview n Purpose of the Day n Warm Up Activity n What is Appreciative Inquiry n Discovery Phase – Uncovering the best n Dream Phase – The future we want n Lunch n Design – How to get there? n Next Steps n Closing

Warm Up n Look around, make eye contact with someone you do not know well. n Join that person n Share your story of What inspired you to become an educational leader?

What is Appreciative Inquiry? n A methodology for positive change n A generative, narrative based process to build relationships n A process for school system transformation

Ap-preci-ate, v. 1. The act of recognizing the best in people or the world around us; affirming past and present strengths, successes, and potentials; to perceive those things that give life (health, vitality, excellence) to living systems. 2. To increase in value, e.g. the economy has appreciated in value. 3. Synonyms: VALUING, PRIZING, ESTEEMING, HONORING.

In-quire, v. 1. The act of exploration and discovery. 2. To ask questions; to be open to seeing new potentials and possibilities. 3. Synonyms: DISCOVERY, SEARCH, STUDY, SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION.

AI - an Organizational Change method which: n shifts the culture from deficit thinking to appreciative thinking n uses narrative as a vehicle to uncover best practice n honours the expertise resident in the community & its people n uses positive experiences to spark positive change n creates a leveling atmosphere for participants

Discovery What have been our best experiences? AppreciatingDiscovery What have been our best experiences? Appreciating Dream What do we collectively aspire to? InnovatingDream What do we collectively aspire to? Innovating Design How can we make our dreams real? Co-constructingDesign How can we make our dreams real? Co-constructing Destiny How do we unleash inherent motivation? SustainingDestiny How do we unleash inherent motivation? Sustaining Appreciative Inquiry 4-D Model AffirmativeTopic

Problem Solving Approach to Organizational Change: n Identifies the problems n Analysis of causes n Analysis of possible solutions n Action planning ensues Basic Assumption: Organizations are made up of problems to be solved.

Appreciative Approach to Organizational Change n Values the best of what is n Envisions what might be n Dialogues about what should be n Innovates what could be Basic Assumption: Collaborative, positive & meaningful conversations move an organization towards its collective ideal.

Three keys to AI n Wholeness: All Stakeholders Equal Voice –Everyone is engaged equally in co-constructing the future. n Narrative Rich: Personal Experience Stories –Stories engage, foster learning and deepen respect. n Relational: People Making Meaning Together –Collaboration and cooperation foster optimum learning conditions

Appreciative Approaches throughout the VSB n District Wide Inquiries – Adolescent, Aboriginal, English Language learners n Appreciative Approaches to School Goal Planning n LEARNS – the Six Optimal Conditions for Learning n Appreciative Leadership n Teacher Inquiry Teams n Community & District Wide Initiative Planning (e.g. Sustainability Summit) n Visioning, goal setting, team building

Six Optimal Conditions for Learning LEARNS

Aboriginal Learners Inquiry (the ALI) DVD n How was the narrative powerful for participants of the ALI?

BREAK

Geographic Grouping n Line up according to the distance from Beausejour to where you did your teacher training. n Those trained closest to Beausejour, line up closest to the smart board, those further away, closer to the screen.

DISCOVERY Phase In your triads share: Tell the story of the most dynamic & inspiring team experience you have ever had. Talk about what happened, what feelings you had, what your role was, etc….

Sixes & Themes n Join your triad with another & form a group of 6. n Share the highlights of a story you heard. n As a group, identify the common elements or themes. n Be ready to report out on your discussion.

Imagine the Future n Education in the 21 st century video clip n B4i7GJuM n Turn and talk – What are the implications for the Sunrise School Division?

Fancy Footwear Line Up

DREAM Phase Sit back and relax for a guided imagery in which we imagine and create the future we want for our schools and division.

DREAM Phase n Individually record your own version of the dream on the template provided

DREAM Phase Creative Expression n Share the highlights of your dream with your group members. n Identify the commonalities n Create a poster (visual and/or textual) representation of the collective dream n Be ready to present at 1:15PM.

Lunch

DESIGN Phase n Divide your paper vertically and make 2 headings - School and Division n Brainstorm as many possibilities & ideas as you can for each n Make 3 recommendations or directions that you see as priorities over the next year (3 for your school and 3 for the division) n Have the green card ready to report out on your recommendations.

Dream Themes 1 & 7. Collaborative Learning Environment (Community of Learners) 2 & 8. Relationships –positive, proactive & inclusive 3 & 9. Engaged, active, experiential 4. & 10 Technology – multi sources, connected within & globally 5. Physical Environment – welcoming, appealing & creative 6. Celebration, sharing of success

Next Steps & Plan for April 30th Questions to reflect on overnight….. n In what ways could you apply an appreciative approach in your school or schools? n What structures & supports would you need to do so?

Closing n How are you feeling right now? n Thank you for your rapt attention, keen participation, creativity and great sense of humour!! n Please complete an evaluation form.