My invitation to Billings Montana

My invitation to come to Billings is through Bill Simmons. We spent some time together in Malta at the ‘Strategic Innovation & Future Creation’ conference hosted at the De Bono Institute. Our conversation was about the innovations, strategies and planning at my school that have resulted in a professionally capable and stable teaching staff. Further, the staff ownership of the organisation and their determination to build success for all members of the community (students, teachers, parents) stands out as a beacon to all who visit us locally and from around the world. Bill was most impressed by the thinking, behaviour and focus on learning that was displayed by the students. He was particularly interested in the structures that support the organisation and the way it operates means a continuous development towards a Best Evidence Synthesis of learning. These intentions were very evident to him and in particular how they were undertaken. My intention, therefore, is to look at the Theory, the How and the Plan to make positive change.

I intend to have an open discussion, dialogue that will allow all present to reflect, make connections and provide considerations to inform on-going teacher and school wide development. We utilise both coaching and mentoring opportunities

to support professional learning and development that provides a sense of self-efficacy for staff and purposeful direction for the organisation.