Too often initiatives feel like yet “another thing” to do. When done effectively, initiatives are connected and aligned. At this Administrator Retreat we were analyzing how district initiatives are interdependent and support our mission/vision. We described why we need to communicate and practice clarity and focus in our work. We developed a common understanding of “systems-thinking.” We “unpacked” each of the initiatives. We compared and contrasted elements of the initiatives. We connected initiatives to the mission/vision. We developed a common message around the initiatives. We recognized the role of a culture of collaboration in accomplishing our mission/vision. We considered leadership and staff professional development implications.

1. Dr. Marci Shepard
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

2. A Picture of Our Day of Learning
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

3. Learning Target
 We are analyzing how Orting School District
initiatives are interdependent and support our
mission/vision.
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

4. What’s on Your Plate?
Success Criteria: Describe why we need to
communicate and practice clarity and focus in our
work.
• Select a plate
• Identify “what’s on your plate”
• Read and discuss “The Stop Doing List” and
Important/Urgent Chart
• Reflect on the items on your plate
• Debrief
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

5. Seeing the Big Picture:
Systems Thinking
Success Criteria: Develop a common understanding of
“systems-thinking.”
• Read and discuss “Systems-Thinking” handout
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

6. Activating Prior
Knowledge
Putting the 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning
Framework puzzle together
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

7. “The Big Picture:
Putting the Pieces Together”
Success Criteria: ”Unpack” each of the initiatives.
For PLCs, 5D/TPEP and CCSS:
• Chalk Talk (using post-its) on color-coded puzzle
pieces
o write word/phrase descriptions of each initiative on
separate post-its and adhere to it’s puzzle piece
poster
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

8. “The Big Picture:
Putting the Pieces Together”
Success Criteria: Compare and contrast elements of
the initiatives.
• How do the 3 initiatives overlap?
o Reorganize post-its from each initiative onto color-
coded Venn Diagram
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

9. “The Big Picture:
Putting the Pieces Together”
Success Criteria: Connect initiatives to the
mission/vision.
• Highlight (color-coded) initiatives on the
mission/vision
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

10. Teachable Point of View
Success Criteria: Develop a common message
around the initiatives.
• Read and discuss “Leadership Voice and the
Teachable Point of View”
• Write your own TPOV (30 second “elevator speech”
of how initiatives are interdependent)
• Partner share
• Share with whole group and chart themes
• Revise own TPOV
• Exercising your “leadership voice” and “teachable
moments”
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

11. From Systems-Thinking
to Systems-Doing
Success Criteria: Recognize the role of a culture of
collaboration in accomplishing our mission/vision.
• Identify personal and team strengths – we are each
an “essential piece”
• Read and discuss “From Systems Thinking to Systems
Doing”
• Bash plates and create mosaics (using pieces of
others’ plates)
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012

12. Success Criteria:
Consider leadership and staff
professional development
implications.
Dr. Marci Shepard  Orting School District  Teaching, Learning & Assessment  2012