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….

TimelinessConfidentialityParticipationHonestyOpennessRespect

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 achievementDifferent philosophiesParents- “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 teamingTeamwork 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 participantsOrganized dataClear purposeAssigned rolesEfficient processSufficient trust…and accountability

Necessary Participants

Staff who:Have relevant informationWill implement decisions made Possess authority to follow up

Organized Data

Academic and behavioralUniversal screening and progress

monitoringReady to present – easy to read format

Clear Purpose

Common understanding is keyImprovement of instruction and

increased achievement for all students

Not…Pre-referralGriping Pass the buck

Assigned Roles

FacilitatorData managerCommunicatorRecorder

Efficient Process

Participants must be preparedDefined agenda Commitment to stay on topic1 hour or less

Sufficient Trust…and Accountability

Commitment to complete assigned tasksGroup agreement to accountabilityHonest communicationConflict CapableTrusting the processEmbracing 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.