Be Intentional… Take Inspiration

Inclusive Welcome
An inclusive welcome is a brief, interactive experience that brings the voice of every participant into the room, making a connection to one another and to the work ahead, with each perspective-laden, culturally rich voice being heard, respected, and learned from.
Description

At the beginning of the session participants write reflections on sticky notes about their hopes for what students will believe, feel, and do in relation to the professional learning topic. This activity grounds the group in a shared purpose and sets an intentional tone for the session. At the end, participants engage in a gallery walk of posted reflections. They select 1-2 inspirational posts that resonate with them to serve as guideposts for their personal or professional journey.

When and Why

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Use this pair of practices as bookends to begin and end staff professional learning, educator collaborations, or professional learning communities.

How to Facilitate

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  1. After introducing the topic of the meeting or session, display the prompt “What do you hope students will believe, feel, and do throughout this school year?” (Modify this prompt as needed to connect to the topic, e.g. “What do you hope students will believe, feel, and do this year about their relationships with their mentors?”)
  2. Provide two minutes or more for participants to write their responses on three color-coded sticky notes: one for BELIEVE, one for FEEL, and one for DO.
  3. Ask participants to post their responses where others can view them (for an in-person session, a wall or poster paper; for an online session, using Padlet or a virtual whiteboard).
  4. Invite participants to discuss their reflections in small groups or with a partner, and/or invite a few to share with the whole group.
  5. Debrief by connecting the reflections to the session’s purpose, emphasizing alignment with participants’ aspirations for students.
  6. At the end of the meeting or learning session, return to the sticky notes that were posted. Provide two minutes or more for participants to review the notes from their colleagues and take a picture or screenshot of a few that they find especially inspiring.
  7. Debrief by encouraging participants to take their colleague’s notes with them as inspiration and intention for their work moving forward.

Contributed by:

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Catherine Murray, LCSW and SEL/Behavior Manager

Inspired by The PD Book by Elena Aguilar and Lori Cohen

How does Be Intentional… Take Inspiration support SEL?

Self-Management/Agency:
Participants reflect on their purpose and the intentionality behind their actions, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment in their professional and personal growth.

Relationship Skills/Collaborative Problem-solving:
Participants share reflections and engage with others' contributions and perspectives, fostering collaboration and co-creation of meaningful outcomes.
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