Transforming Culture Through the Power of CFG Communities
What would it look like if every member of your educational community felt heard, valued, and supported? Healthy cultures can be built and maintained by using proven conversational structures to encourage reflection, collaboration, honest dialogue, and continuous learning. When people experience a genuine sense of belonging and trust, they are more willing to share challenges, learn from one another, and contribute their best thinking. One of the most effective ways to begin this work is by training an initial cohort of educators to become certified CFG Coaches. (3 min. read)
The irreplaceable value of NSRF Open Virtual Trainings
For this holiday season, use our Happy Gingerbread People activity as a festive opener to make meaningful connections through appreciative inquiry and build better belonging for your group!
The Right Tools for Better Meetings: A Testimonial
Shared last fall by instructional leader, Dr. Damia C. Thomas, this reflective testimonial captured something many educators and facilitators wrestle with every day: how to turn meetings into moments that actually move work forward. As we have launched our first, self-paced, virtual course, Better Meetings: Structure for Success, Dr. Thomas's words are relevant and applicable. With the right structures in place, meetings can shift from draining obligations to purposeful, collaborative spaces where real progress happens! (1 min. read)
New, shorter training opportunities for 2026
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 certification 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.
January Zine Offers bite-sized reminders
Luci McKean, Director of NSRF Virtual Learning, has made a gift for you! Download her small, one-page zine "Make 2026 your BEST year!" and keep it close-by for reminders as you move forward and grow in this new year!
Connect with a festive opening activity: Happy Gingerbread People!
For this holiday season, use our Happy Gingerbread People activity as a festive opener to make meaningful connections through appreciative inquiry and build better belonging for your group!
“Rich PD on Pauper’s Wages” with Michele Mattoon on The Assistant Principal Podcast
In a podcast shared August 12, 2025, NSRF's Executive Director, Michele Mattoon, connected again with Frederick Buskey, strategic leadership consultant and founder of APEx, a dynamic community and group mentoring for assistant principals, to discuss the best professional development (PD) strategies on a budget. (2 min. read, hour long podcast)
Protocol? Activity? What’s the difference?
When groups come together to do meaningful work, structure matters. The NSRF offers a variety of structured conversations and exercises that help groups reflect, collaborate, and grow together. Some are called activities, others protocols. But what’s the difference, and why does it matter? ... (3 min read)
New Book: Protocols for All!
NEW publications from NSRF! Purchase our newest book, Protocols for All: 50 practical structures to ensure engagement, deepen learning, and improve facilitation skills, in digital or paperback format from Amazon OR buy the spiral-bound edition directly from the NSRF Online Store! Also CFG Coaches can now purchase the Handbook of Virtual Materials for CFG Coaches with the Guide for Tech Hosting from our virtual trainings for utilizing coach-level protocols and activities in virtual settings! (2 min read)
Reflecting on Stress
I feel stressed. And I know I’m not alone. Educators (and the people who support them) have a lot of reasons to be stressed these days ...