Shane Leaning and Chris Scorer discuss the launch of a new community platform for educators, focusing on trust and connection. They highlight challenges posed by digital saturation for both students and educators and stress the need for balance in productivity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating both online and offline spaces that foster authentic engagement. Insights into navigating the complexities of leadership and evolving concepts of masculinity in education are explored, promoting meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
Creating a supportive educational community encourages peer collaboration and resource sharing, enhancing leadership development across diverse educational landscapes.
Establishing trust within educational settings is crucial for promoting respectful discussions, allowing diverse opinions to enrich collaborative problem-solving efforts.
Deep dives
Effective Listening Techniques
Practical listening techniques are crucial for transforming difficult conversations into more productive engagements. The importance of active listening in leadership is emphasized, particularly during challenging end-of-year discussions with staff. By enhancing listening skills, leaders can foster a more collaborative and supportive work environment. Attending masterclasses, like the upcoming one on April 2nd, can provide valuable strategies for practicing these techniques.
Community Engagement among Education Leaders
Building a supportive community for education leaders facilitates sharing experiences and insights among peers. The launch of a new community platform aims to create a dedicated space for educational discussions, resources, and events aimed at leadership development. Participants can engage in informal chats, access exclusive cheat sheets, and attend live sessions, fostering collaboration. This initiative encourages educators to connect beyond traditional boundaries and share innovative ideas.
The Role of Data in Education
The discussion highlights the significance of data-informed decision-making in educational settings. Leaders are encouraged to adopt a data-led approach, ensuring that teaching practices are supported by relevant information. Personal anecdotes illustrate the necessity of democratizing data access to improve student outcomes. Embracing a data-centric philosophy can empower educators to make informed choices and enhance their effectiveness.
Creating Trust within Educational Communities
Establishing trust is fundamental for fostering healthy communities within educational settings. Leaders should create environments where diverse opinions can be shared respectfully, allowing for constructive discussions and reflections. This trust enables collaboration and the exploration of different ideas without fear of judgment. Emphasizing the importance of listening, the conversation encourages leaders to support one another in navigating the complexities of their roles.
In this special bonus episode, Shane Leaning and co-host Chris Scorer introduce the new Education Leaders community platform and discuss what makes a great educational community. The conversation explores the challenges of navigating online spaces for both educators and students, finding balance in a digitally saturated world, and creating meaningful connections among education professionals globally.
Episode Highlights:
Introduction to the Education Leaders Live community platform, hosted on EducationScape
How the platform serves as a space for leadership discussions, peer coaching, and resource sharing
The importance of creating both online and offline spaces where meaningful connection can happen
Perspectives on the challenges of digital saturation for today's students
Insights on balancing productivity with necessary downtime for both educators and students
What makes a truly effective educational community - including trust, authentic engagement, and psychological safety
Schools Week and FE Week (EducationScape publications)
Festival of Education (UK)
"Limitless" program (device-free experiences for students)
A Hair, Brain and Tortoise Mind by Guy Claxton
Join the community at educationleaders.live to participate in future live sessions, access exclusive resources, and connect with education leaders worldwide. Education Leaders Live sessions happen every two weeks.
Thank you for tuning in, and if you found this episode useful, please share. You can find me on LinkedIn and Bluesky.
Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports international schools globally. Passionate about empowering educators, he is currently co-authoring 'Change Starts Here.' Shane has extensive experience in the UK and Asia and is a recognised voice in international education leadership. Learn more at shaneleaning.com.