In this Crowdsource Coffee, we will examine the fears that exist in our schools–fears of failure, chaos, disagreement, and others–and how they get in the way of a positive school climate. We will brainstorm strategies to get at the root of these fears and how to address them with affirming, brave practices. 

Every member of a community, from students to teachers to staff, brings their unique experience and background to school each day. This Crowdsource Coffee will center discussion around how we acknowledge and elevate a diversity of voices.

In this Crowdsource Coffee, leaders will discuss how to identify students who feel disconnected from their community. We will brainstorm strategies to re-engage and connect authentically, so that ALL students feel they are included.

The academic and behavioral needs of most students are met through a continuum of support within a school. Some students, however, require out-of-system support due to extreme or intensive circumstances, such as long-term hospitalization. This Crowdsource Coffee will focus on the proactive building of relationships between schools, districts, and other organizations to provide the structural support necessary for students and families to succeed in exceptional situations. 

In a 2019 study on the workplace readiness of Generation Z (those born after 1995), respondents felt unprepared for using communication skills in the workplace such as networking, negotiating, and resolving conflicts. However, members of Gen Z felt confident in their ability to work on a team and try new things. Led by two former high school teachers, this Crowdsource Coffee will feature discussion about how education can better equip students with 21st century skills, and how a strengths-based mindset can utilize the skills our students already possess.

Many school leaders move into district-level administration for the same reasons they got into education: to have a positive impact on students and on public education and to use their leadership skills. This Crowdsource Coffee will provide space for current and aspiring superintendents to discuss the rewards and challenges of a central office position. Topics will include the process of moving into a district office, superintendent roles and responsibilities, and cultivating a beneficial relationship between your district and your school site. 

Many schools and districts are struggling to hire and retain talented teachers, with small candidate pools and other constraints. In this Crowdsource Coffee, school leaders will share concerns and best practices for the upcoming hiring cycle.

Educators and administrators are evaluated at many levels, from community surveys to nationwide testing. Data collection is a powerful tool: it influences the allocation of resources at the state and national levels, informs decision making around instructional practices at the school level, and may even factor into where families choose to send their children to school. But the power of data lies in its analysis and the conclusions we draw. In this Crowdsource Coffee, leaders will discuss the value and purpose of data collection, reconciling differences in how numbers can be interpreted, and how to leverage data to drive positive school change. 

Join us for this Crowdsource Webinar, which will feature Carlos Hernandez (Director of Community Schools, Family and Community Engagement at Anaheim Union School District) and Araceli Huerta (Community School Coordinator at Sycamore Junior High School) as they share strategies for effectively engaging parents and family members. Topics of discussion will include both site-level strategies to include families in your school community, and district-level approaches to building systems that center family perspectives in decision-making.