2005 Talent Development High Schools

Polytechnic High School, Sun Valley, Ca

Building & Sustaining Teams

Tara MaddenTDHS Regional Manager

Former Ninth Grade Success Academy Team Leader

Philadelphia, PA

Guy LucasTDHS Instructional Field Manager

“Our schools, are in a sense, factories in which the raw materials (children) are to be shaped…” William T. Harris

Why Organize a High School Into Teams?

The Talent Development model was designed to

address apathy and anonymity. Apathy – Relevance

Career connections

Anonymity –Personal relationships A sense of community

Central Administration

Freshmen Centre

TLTeam A

Business Academy

TLTeam C

TLTeam B

TLTechnology

TL TLArts

TLCulinary

TLTravel

TLEntrepreneurship

Academy Principal

Academy Principal

Academy Principal

Academy Principal

Hospitality FAME

Decentralized Leadership in a

Talent Development High School

Teamwork is the fuel for common people to achieve

uncommon results. – Einstein

What is a TEAM?

A THINK – PAIR – SHARE Activity

Where do you find TEAMS?

What characteristics do you find in an effective TEAM?

What characteristics do you find in an effective TEAM?

Effective teams are willing to help others who

are less effective.

Characteristics of effective teams:

Discussions that involve all members.

Active listening demonstrated by all.

Free expression of feelings and ideas is encouraged.

A cooperative, friendly, supportive climate.

Everyone understands and is committed to the achievement of the

goals.

Simon Gratz High SchoolAttendance

Before teams 99-00 58.1%

After implementing teams 00-01 70.2%

Suspensions

Before teams 99-00 48.8%

After implementing teams 00-01 33.4%

The size of the 10th grade rose from 424 students in the fall of 2000 to 613 students in the fall

of 2001.

TDHS Data Results: The Impact of Teams at a Philadelphia High School

How to Build Your Team

A foundatio

n for effective

teams

“To build trusting relationships, we need to communicate with the intent to learn from others, not control them.

Trust is the glue that makes effective collaboration and teamwork possible.

Without trust, people become competitive or defensive, and communication is distorted and unreliable.”

Where trust is lackingWould you:

Reveal your weaknesses?

Feel comfortabl

e about collaboratin

g?

Acknowledge a “True” desire to improve?

Be able to be critical about the performance of the

organization?

Where trust is presentThere is:-less stress

-more willingness to commit to goals

-no feeling of manipulation

-easier to anticipate behavior

Willingness is a function of:

1. Confidence – the person’s feeling that, “I can do it.”

2. Commitment – the person’s feeling that, “I will do it.”

3. Motivation – the person’s feeling of, “I want to do it.”

In what ways can you build trust among your team?

Building a TEAM

Step One:

Identification

Step Two:Moving from a list of names to a

TEAMGet to know each other (Formally and Informally)

Share experiences

Pedagogy

Motivations

Expectations

Identify strengths and assets

• What is the value of spending some time creating group identity at the start of the school year?

• What is the cost?– HOW can we move from a list of

names to a TEAM?

Step Two:Moving from a list of

names to a TEAM

A Team Building Activity

Teacher Team Resume• Share your name and the position that

you currently hold within your school.• Share some of your work experiences

outside the field of education.• Share the number of years you have

served in the education. Note the total number of years served for the entire team.

• Share some individual strengths that you bring to your team.

• Collectively, determine a creative way to share your resume with the other teams in 60 seconds.

•Examining values–What do I (WE) want in life?–Similarities/Differences Checklist Teaching beliefs and practices

•Problem solving•Brainteasers

Step Two:Moving from a list of

names to a TEAM

Lunch: An opportunity to Build Relationships

Informal lunch meetingsFormal lunch meetingsEat with studentsInvite ParentsInvite AdministrationInvite Community Partners and Stakeholders

Step Three:Set Ground Rules

Some topics to consider when creating ground rules:

AttendancePromptnessMeeting place & timeParticipationBasic conversational courtesiesAssignments

Playing by the same set of rules avoids unnecessary conflicts.

Goal Setting Activity

At your table, develop 3 Realistic and Defined Goals, how you will measure them, and how you will communicate them to your team.

Climate, test scores, attendance, promotion, etc…

Be prepared to share your best with the group.

Step Four:Develop a Team Goal /Vision

Some things to consider when developing team goals:

Limit your goals to 4-5 realistic and defined goals

Attendance %Passing Rate %Increased Parental Involvement

How will you reach these goals

How will you communicate these goals

How will you get there…if you don’t know where you are

going????

Step Five:Defining Roles and

Responsibilities

Defining team roles and responsibilities creates a

sense of purpose and direction for each team

member.

An effective team leader knows how to utilize the strengths of

each team member.

Step Six:Lead by Example

A Team Leader can’t do it alone…you must involve all members of your team to reach SUCCESS!!!

Step Seven:Recognize Team

AccomplishmentsCelebrate Often

Be sure to recognize the accomplishme

nts and contributions

of your teachers and

students

Assessing your Team

Individually, how are you communicating with your team members?

How are we doing at building consensus and decision making?

What are our strengths and areas where improvement is needed?

Self Assessment – Are Your Teachers Hungry?

Are your teachers…Satiated?

Satisfied?Hungry?

Famished?Emaciated?

What are your strengths?

What are your opportunities for growth?

Semester Team Assessment

Teaming Check-up

Questions/Concerns

Listening SkillsFlexibilityKnows When to Get Out of the WayResourceful: Knows Where and When to Get HelpCollaboration SkillsMotivator for AdultsOrganizedLeads by ExampleFirm but FairConsistentStrong Communication SkillsRecognizes and Celebrates the Skills of Others

What Makes a Good Team Leader?