Looking for shorter PD from NSRF?
We heard you!
In response to requests from our Critical Friends Group® community and partners, NSRF is excited to launch brand-new training opportunities—including specialized topics and streamlined, shorter sessions focused on specific protocol sets. Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise or get a quick boost in a key area, there’s a new option designed just for you.
Data Discovery and Decision Making:
Look at data afresh, then learn how to take action!
Unlock the power of collaborative data analysis with Data Discovery and Decision Making, a dynamic new offering available in two on-site days or just ten virtual hours across three days. Participants will learn to use two powerful NSRF protocols to analyze data with clarity and purpose, followed by a deep dive into next-step protocols that help turn insights into action. Need to generate a wide range of ideas to solve challenges revealed by your data? Facing a complex dilemma that demands thoughtful exploration? This training equips your team with tools to move from data review to data-driven action—emphasizing that meaningful solutions don’t just come from the top, but from the collective wisdom of all involved.
Collaborating For a Child:
Structure collaborative meetings among key adults to strengthen support for a student at school and home.
When communications between a student’s teachers and their parents/caregivers have become stressful, and teachers struggle to address the student’s needs, structured collaboration can be transformational. By gathering a student’s parents/caregivers, teachers, and other important adults in that child’s life, participants can all see a more complete picture of what is happening within and around that child. Collaborating for a Child is a facilitated, structured conversation that includes pre-writing by all participants and note-taking by a neutral party. After hearing from each presenter, the group looks for themes and patterns that arose and “aha moments” each person achieved through careful listening. Next, the participants build meaning together and create an action plan so participants have next steps to help this student and a follow-up meeting to check on progress. This training brings forward an expanded protocol, with prep sheets for each presenter, a guide to pre-conferencing with people unaccustomed to protocols, facilitation tips, and more. This training can be booked for half a day or a full day.
Learning through Observations:
“You can learn a lot by watchin’.” (With apologies and appreciation to Yogi Berra)
A trusted favorite in our lineup, Learning through Observations is a focused, one-day experience—offered on-site or virtually—that transforms how educators view and engage in peer observations. Participants explore a variety of NSRF protocols that promote growth for both the observer and the observed, while also providing structured ways to examine physical spaces for evidence of learning. This training shifts the culture of observation from evaluation to collaboration, empowering educators to learn from and with one another.
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Text and Media Protocol Training:
Improve literacy in classrooms and engagement in adult meetings!
Text and Media Protocol Training teaches familiar and newer NSRF protocols to engage adults OR students in collaborative discourse and learning around a text or other media. Using these structures effectively helps readers of all ages and grade levels to improve comprehension, co-create meaning, use critical thinking to ascertain the implications of what they read, and support one another through small-group work. Designed as a two-day on-site workshop, this training may also be delivered virtually.
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Difficult Conversations:
The Difficult Conversations Training is a one or two-day, hands-on workshop that explores why some talks can be so challenging, and offers structures designed to lessen possible difficulties. Particularly useful for school administrators but open to all, this training includes using brainstorming, dilemma analysis, conflict resolution, and mediation protocols. Participants will also use scenario practice to prepare participants to effectively deliver difficult but productive feedback.
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Maximize Meeting Effectiveness:
Want to Maximize Meeting Effectiveness in your school or district? Instead of leading low-energy meetings in which little seems to be accomplished, this day-long training explores why meetings can be so frustrating, then offers tools, templates, and texts to maximize productivity. We can organize an on-site training specifically around your organization, or you might join our Better Meetings: Structure for Success self-paced asynchronous course.
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Team-building:
Team-building: An introduction to NSRF protocols. Start your school year with purpose and connection. This energizing 1- or 2-day “working retreat” is perfect for teams looking to strengthen relationships, build trust, and lay the groundwork for a collaborative, productive year ahead. Participants will experience a variety of NSRF protocols and engaging activities designed for use in meetings and classrooms—tools that foster respectful dialogue, deep thinking, and shared leadership.
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Interested? Reach out to NSRF@NSRFharmony.org or call 812-330-2702 today.
Become a CFG Coach
virtually or in the room!
virtually or in the room!
Become certified to lead Critical Friends Groups with effective NSRF protocols and activities that build foundational trust and belonging! Multiple On-Site and Virtual OPEN Training Options available OR have a site-based training at your school or organization!
