Effective Teaming RTI Training 9/23/07

Objectives Each district team will define how it will work together to lead the implementation of RTI. Each district team will begin to think about how it will train school teams to implement RTI in schools.

Why teaming?

What Makes an Effective Team? In teams, discuss the following: Have you ever been a part of an extremely effective team?

Herding Cats

Defining “team” Teamwork is an Individual Skill (Avery, 2001) A team is a group of individuals responding successfully to the opportunity presented by shared responsibility.

Conversation #1- Purpose If we were already finished and successful, what would the outcome look like? Take 2 minutes to create your own responses. Share with team. Develop clear outcome for your team.

Conversation #2- Commitment What is each individual’s motivation for joining this team? Take 2 minutes for individual responses. Share with your team.

Keep in mind... Teamwork is an Individual Skill (Avery, 2001) Every team performs to the level of its least invested member.

Compass Activity

NORTH Acting- “Let’s do it”, like to act, try things, plunge in.

SOUTH Caring- like to know that everyone’s feelings have been taken into consideration and that their voices have been heard before acting.

EAST Speculating- likes to look at the big picture and all possibilities before acting.

WEST Paying attention to detail- likes to know the who, what, when and why before acting.

What are the strengths of your style? (4 adjectives) What are the limitations of your style? (4 adjectives) What style to you find most difficult to work with and why? What do people from other “directions” or styles need to know about you so you can work effectively? What do you value about the other three styles?

Back in district groups. What directions do you have in the group? Is it well balanced? What are you missing?

Conversation #3- Working Agreements

Make and Keep Agreements What is most important to you? (List and Prioritize) As a team, develop 4 agreements that each team member can commit to.

What about…. Timeliness Confidentiality Participation Honesty Openness Respect

Conversation #4: Call it! When working agreements aren’t followed… Replace the work “but” with “and” Helpful Hint: use the words “working” and “not working”, instead of “right” and “wrong”

Scenario Every Monday afternoon the team meets to discuss phases of implementation of RTI. Consistently the team member responsible for the district’s data does not show up. What do you do? At dinner one night you find yourself complaining about your team, the meetings are boring, the conversations go in circles, and your not sure why you have to attend. One of the working agreements was to “Be Honest.” What should you do?

Anticipating Conflicts Discrepant reading achievement Different philosophies Parents- “you do everything for the struggling kids” Lack of follow through on interventions

How are decisions made in this group?

Consensus Continuum Unqualified yes. Move Forward. Perfectly acceptable. Move Forward. I can live with it. Move forward. I trust the group and will not block the decision. Move forward. I think more work is needed before decision is make. Do not move forward. I do not agree and feel the need to stand in the way of adopting this decision. Do not move forward.

Common beliefs about teaming Teamwork is an Individual Skill (Avery, 2001) Teams get built by someone and stay that way. Teams don’t stay built. Many events challenge team dynamics. Professionals should learn how to build and maintain their own teams.

Go Beavs!

Planning for Systems Change Necessary participants Organized data Clear purpose Assigned roles Efficient process Sufficient trust…and accountability

Necessary Participants Staff who: Have relevant information Will implement decisions made Possess authority to follow up

Organized Data Academic and behavioral Universal screening and progress monitoring Ready to present – easy to read format

Clear Purpose Common understanding is key Improvement of instruction and increased achievement for all students Not… Pre-referral Griping Pass the buck

Assigned Roles Facilitator Data manager Communicator Recorder

Efficient Process Participants must be prepared Defined agenda Commitment to stay on topic 1 hour or less

Sufficient Trust…and Accountability Commitment to complete assigned tasks Group agreement to accountability Honest communication Conflict Capable Trusting the process Embracing Decision Rules

Defining Your Purpose Develop a Purpose Statement for your EBIS team. It should: Be no more than 3 sentences in length. Provide a standard against which teams can routinely measure themselves.

Activity I believe… I doubt… I am concerned…

A closing thought... Individual commitment to a group effort, that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. -Vince Lombardi

Resources Teamwork is an individual skill. Avery, C. Managing transitions: Making the most of change Bridges, W. Leadership for Literacy Murphy, J. Progress in understanding reading Stanovich, K. Overcoming dyslexia Shaywitz, S. Learning disabilities: From identification to intervention Fletcher, J., Lyon, G., Fuchs, L., Barnes, M. Mindset Dweck, C. Blindside Lewis, M.