A thought partnership approach was used to help schools move from the intent of professional learning initiatives to effective implementation and measurable impact.

Schools expressed strong intentions to enhance planning and evaluating PD practices. In collaboration with PeerSphere, the challenge was to bridge the gap between the vision of improved professional practices and the actual impact within the school environment, ensuring that professional learning efforts led to significant positive outcomes. We facilitated sessions for sharing practices and supported school leaders in one-to-one coaching conversations.

1. Facilitating a Review Process
We engaged in structured conversations with leaders of professional learning to assess current practices and identify areas for improvement. A comprehensive review process allowed for considered analysis.

2. Addressing Pain Points
We facilitated discussions around troubleshooting and root cause analysis. This was done by:

• Exploring the problem: Understanding the issues that were occurring or had occurred over the year.

• Analysing the problem: Investigating why these issues arose.

• Deciding on a course of action: Considering various options and solutions to address the challenges.

• Experimenting with solutions: Implementing chosen actions, then reflecting on the outcomes to learn and adapt.

Additionally, leaders were guided to separate facts from biases and fears, encouraging a balanced and comprehensive understanding of the challenges at hand.

3. Supporting Change
With an understanding that change often meets resistance, the process included a diagnostic approach to assess readiness for change and identify potential barriers. A framework was used to evaluate and enhance the likelihood of successful change implementation. By establishing a shared understanding of the current state, a clear vision, and actionable steps, educational leaders and their teams could be better equipped to overcome resistance and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

4. Ongoing Support
Mapping envisioned professional learning approaches with existing in-school structures and practices was encouraged. Continuous support was provided through regular check-ins and thought partnership conversations. Ongoing engagement supported leaders to navigate challenges, adjust strategies as needed, and stay on track to achieve professional learning goals. The continuous feedback loop was critical for ensuring that the improvements were sustained over time.