Facilitation Innovation

Background

We are at a pivotal moment of change and growth at Reading Horizons. As we prepare to launch a large-scale update to one of our core products, this is also an excellent opportunity for change in our PL products. My innovation plan seeks to implement a blended learning approach to our current PL offerings. The goal of implementing blended learning in RH PL events is to allow more face-to-face time with facilitators to be spent on experiential activities that promote deep understanding and allow for content application. Empowering and preparing educators to be effective in the classroom will lead to our ultimate mission of eradicating illiteracy.

I followed a systematic plan to develop my Influencer Strategy: 

• Result: The first step was to identify the desired result in the form of a SMART goal.
• Vital Behaviors: Next, I identified three key behaviors that will lead to change.
• Sources of Influence: I outlined how I will engage the six sources of influence to maximize successful change.

RESULTS

Implement a blended learning approach in RH PL events resulting in increased educator preparedness for program implementation and student success in foundational reading skills.

MEASURES

LEAD MEASURES -PL Attendees complete the digital content and associated content assessments and reflections. -Each PL attendee completes the Teacher Reflection exercise after the teaching practice activity. -PL attendees are given ample time to ask questions and explore program resources.	LEAD MEASURES -Teachers implement the RH program with appropriate time and fidelity. -Teachers participate in Fall and Spring RH Coaching. -Administrators and district/school leaders provide a supportive environment to teachers and students.
LAG MEASURE *PL Feedback Survey item ”As a result of this PL event I feel prepared to implement Reading Horizons in my classroom.” Scale of 1-5 -Educators giving a score of 4 or 5 will increase from 92% to 97% by 6 months into Innovation Plan implementation	LAG MEASURE *District Benchmark Data discussed during IM MOY/EOY review -Percentage of students at or above benchmark on foundational reading skills will increase by 10% or more after one year of program implementation.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFLUENCERS

• Myself
• RH PL Content Team
• RH Senior Facilitator Team
• Professional Learning Services Manager
• RH CEO and President
• PL Site Leadership

VITAL BEHAVIORS

1. The PL Content team incorporates significant learning activities for 50% or more of the PL event time.

2. Facilitators engage PL participants to understand their why.

3. Every PL attendee actively participates in the practice teaching activity and provides feedforward to their partner.

“Identifying, creating, and maintaining a couple of high-leverage actions can provide the perfect beginning to the most challenging of change programs” (Grenny et al., 2013, p. 39). In developing the above vital behaviors, I utilized four key strategies.

Key Strategy #1 – Notice the Obvious

It is easy to overlook the simple behaviors that add up to success or failure. One key strategy for identifying my vital behaviors was thinking about some of the simple things both facilitators and PL attendees do, or don’t do, that affect the outcomes. One of the most obvious and simple of these is the tendency for facilitators to get too caught up in content delivery or story-telling and run out of time for the hands-on significant learning activities that engage attendees and help them apply the content. The vital behavior that can be done to avoid this facilitator pitfall is for the PL content team to design the PL content with ample time for significant learning activities.

Key Strategy #2 – Look for Crucial Moments

Identifying the crucial moments when a choice of behavior will affect the outcome is key. As Harapnuik (2016) says “If you could do only one thing what is that one action that you must do that would change everything and give you the result that you desire?” This is the question to ask in crucial moments. There are many crucial moments during a PL event. The first one is at the start of the day when the facilitator is setting the tone for the event and trying to quickly build rapport with the attendees. During this time we have the opportunity to ask important questions that will help PL attendees think deeply and understand their ‘why’ for participating fully in the session. Another crucial moment is the culminating teaching activity. When attendees do not fully engage in this activity, they miss out on the authentic practice that will lead to feelings of empowerment and confidence to implement the program in their classroom. Setting up the expectation that everyone participates and everyone provides their partner feedforward will help increase engagement.

Key Strategy #3 – Learn from Positive Deviants

In every PL event, there is at least one educator (usually more) who is very excited about the program and is fully engaged throughout both content delivery and practice. This is the attendee who is asking and answering questions. They are thinking ahead to real-life scenarios they may encounter with students. Facilitators can leverage these enthusiastic attendees to motivate those around them and energize the group. I also believe there are some facilitators who are better than others at getting and maintaining attendee engagement. We can survey the facilitator team and ask them to share their top three strategies for engaging attendees, then publish these in the facilitator newsletter and spotlight standout strategies during facilitator Showing Up in Excellence meetings.

Key Strategy #4 – Spot Culture Busters

It is key to consider organizational culture when trying to influence behaviors. This is tricky for PL facilitators because every site has a different culture and the facilitator is not a part of that particular culture. However, it is within our control to ensure the culture of RH PL events is supportive, positive, safe, and growth-oriented. In my experience, it is common for school cultures to cause teachers to feel overwhelmed, over-evaluated, or de-motivated. It is important for the PL facilitator to present the RH curriculum as a tool and resource that will make educators’ jobs easier and improve outcomes for their students. It will be key for organizational leaders to be transparent about their expectations for the program and model their own investment by attending PL events where possible. Ongoing RH partnership and support will also help foster a culture of purpose and empowerment.

SIX SOURCES OF INFLUENCE

References:

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. 

Harapnuik, D. (2016, January 28). Four effective ways to find and test vital behaviors. Harapnuik.org. Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=6253