NSRF Connections Online

Welcome to the new incarnation of NSRF Connections!

Knowing that educators are some of the busiest people on the planet, we wanted to offer Connections in bite-sized pieces, more often. Each post below shows a brief summary and time estimation so you can decide whether you want to click through to read the whole article, and each article is designed as a relatively quick read. We will add content often, but only email you with an “index” of recent posts about once a month.

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If you didn’t receive our last “regular” Connections issue in your email inbox in early October, please check your spam folder or call us at 812-330-2702 with the best email address for you.You can also read this and any other older issue on our Connections Archives page.

Learning is in the Debrief, by Penelope Preen

As a new CFG coach, I found the idea of debriefing very daunting. Debriefing had not been part of my life as a learner and I wasn’t too sure of the point of it. Why, I wondered, is it necessary, or useful, to spend time at the end of a protocol discussing the outcome and the process? Wasn’t it all over by then? What are the right kind of questions to ask? What do I do if no-one has anything to say? As I have gained experience, debriefing has become my favorite part of facilitating. Here are 7 of my favorite insights from debriefing and why they are effective. (5 min. read)

Am I doing CFG work or just leading protocols?

Many people have experienced how fully engaging in Critical Friends Group® work transforms their practice and even their perspective on the world. The trust and sense of belonging that this work engenders can evolve relationships with colleagues, administrators, and students. Simply using protocols within your meetings and classrooms is powerful, but only a glimpse of what CFG work can do for your practice, for your students, and for your school culture. (8 min. read)

Accidentally making it worse

Thinking about the "baggage activity" that has gone viral: VITAL details to consider when leading activities designed to build trust and a greater sense of belonging. (6 min. read)

Sneaky-sneak peek of Building Belonging in the Classroom

Open training for new Critical Friends Group Coaches in Bloomington in October is your first chance for a "Sneaky sneak peek" at some of the new Building Belonging in the Classroom materials. We'll focus on adult collaboration as we always do in CFG Coaches' Training, but a bit of "flavor" from Building Belonging will be shared here. Join us, but make it quick! (2 min. read)

October CFG Coaches’ Open Training deadline is approaching!

Details about the October Open Training - how educators and administrators can come as individuals to Bloomington, Indiana, to be trained as CFG Coaches and learn how to improve their work experientially. (2 1/2 minute read)

Big emotions arise in a CFG meeting. You’re the coach? What should you do?

“Big” emotions can arise in Critical Friends Group work: trust has been built, the circle we sit in truly has become friends, and we’ve grown to depend on one another’s help when we’re facing dilemmas that have troubled us, sometimes for years. You're the coach: what do you do? #CFGWork #criticalfriends #coaching (6 min. read)