Building a Culture of Collaboration
Building a Culture of Collaboration

Building a Culture of Collaboration

Jigsaw Learning

Overview
Episodes

Details

Are you an educational leader or administrator searching for actionable strategies to build effective teams? In the Building a Culture of Collaboration podcast, Jigsaw Learning co-founders Kurtis and Lorna Hewson provide simple, purposeful tips to help you tackle meeting frustration, disengagement, and unproductive teamwork. This is your essential resource for advancing school improvement and collective efficacy. You will find practical ideas for mastering effective meetings, where you learn the structures, roles, and agendas required to ensure your team meetings (PLCs, staff, student support) are focused and drive action. You'll discover how to shift your organization's mindset from isolated practice to powerful, shared responsibility for ALL students—this is key to teamwork and collaboration. Finally, you'll gain the leadership strategies needed to intentionally build a robust and sustainable culture that maximizes collective capacity and student success. We also talk with thought leaders outside of education, to grow our understanding of effective collaboration and teamwork. Subscribe today to master the art of intentional collaboration and take your leadership to the next level!

Recent Episodes

FRIDAY FOCUS - Stop Using a Blank Doc to Record Meeting Notes
MAY 29, 2026
FRIDAY FOCUS - Stop Using a Blank Doc to Record Meeting Notes
______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systemsAre you looking to further your growth as a collaborative leader? Access numerous FREE resources and webinars designed to help you build and sustain a strong culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/freeInterested in learning MORE about a framework that can transform your PLC and MTSS efforts? Access the FREE Overview of Collaborative Response Article https://bit.ly/CR-overviewExplore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-introLearn more about WeCollab and access a FREE trial.https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollabFREE to join!! Become a JL Insider to receive access to newly added resources and video content, advance notice for sessions/workshops, discounts for learning events and resources, plus so much more! https://bit.ly/JLinsider Join the Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, to engage in further conversations and resource sharing with others dedicated to ensuring effective teams and collaborative structures - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and click the little bell icon to be notified when @jigsaw_learning posts a new video! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7owWebsite https://jigsawlearning.caEmail [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/
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2 MIN
How to Create Facilitation Opportunities to Build Leadership Capacity - Ep 93
MAY 28, 2026
How to Create Facilitation Opportunities to Build Leadership Capacity - Ep 93
4 Mistakes Leaders Make When Planning for Collaborative Team Meetings We highlight four common mistakes leaders often make when planning their first collaborative team meetings. Enroll Today ➡️ bit.ly/4mistakesCTMIn this weeks podcast of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis and Lorna discuss the why you should be creating opportunities for the facilitator role in meetings to change and the impact it can have on your overall culture of collaboration.Connected Resources:Guide - Transform Your Team Meetings: Five Planning Considerations for Leaders - https://bit.ly/5planningteams Webinar - 10 Considerations to Transform Your Team Meetings - https://www.jigsawlearningonline.com/10-considerations-to-transform-your-team-meetings-registration Blog - Examining Collaborative Team Meetings - Question and Discussion Resources - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publications/blog-posts/questioning-and-purposeful-discussion-collaborative-team-mee Template - Meeting Role Table Displays - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aWT41ZBV9sVpkEGn-nQQNBvbHIDL0yOUwZlQ_wLtpCc/edit?usp=sharing ______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems #MTSSAre you looking to further your growth as a collaborative leader? Access numerous FREE resources and webinars designed to help you build and sustain a strong culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/freeInterested in learning MORE about a framework that can transform your PLC and MTSS efforts? Access the FREE Overview of Collaborative Response Article https://bit.ly/CR-overviewExplore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-introLearn more about WeCollab and access a FREE trial.https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollabFREE to join!! Become a JL Insider to receive access to newly added resources and video content, advance notice for sessions/workshops, discounts for learning events and resources, plus so much more! https://bit.ly/JLinsider Join the Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, to engage in further conversations and resource sharing with others dedicated to ensuring effective teams and collaborative structures - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and click the little bell icon to be notified when @jigsaw_learning posts a new video! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7owWebsite https://jigsawlearning.caEmail [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/
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24 MIN
Leveraging External Team Members to Meet Diverse Student Needs with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan - Ep 92
MAY 26, 2026
Leveraging External Team Members to Meet Diverse Student Needs with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan - Ep 92
The Developing a Continuum of Supports workshop guide helps teams identify actionable supports across the school for all students regardless of their needs from universal classroom practice to individualized intensive supports.  👉bit.ly/jlcontinuumCheck out the FREE checklist and resource guide, focused on effectively planning a collaborative space in your school - https://bit.ly/spacechecklistIn this replay episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Lorna and Kurtis engage in conversation with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, the founder and owner/operator of Dr. Karen, LLC, and host of the DeFacto Leaders podcast.  We dig into what Dr. Karen believes are the necessary ingredients for schools when building high impact collaborative cultures that engage various service providers to support the diverse needs of students.Access Dr. Karen’s website at drkarendudekbrannan.com or at drkarenspeech.com---------Connect with Dr. Karen Email [email protected] @drkaren2014LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-dudek-brannan/Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email [email protected] Twitter @hewsonk27 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson Connect with Lorna Hewson Email [email protected] Twitter @LornaHewson Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hewson-713a59104---------Related ResourcesExecutive Functioning Implementation Guide - drkarendudekbrannan.com/efguide Executive Functioning Training - drkarendudekbrannan.com/efleadership______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems #MTSSAre you looking to further your growth as a collaborative leader? Access numerous FREE resources and webinars designed to help you build and sustain a strong culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/freeInterested in learning MORE about a framework that can transform your PLC and MTSS efforts? Access the FREE Overview of Collaborative Response Article https://bit.ly/CR-overviewExplore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-introLearn more about WeCollab and access a FREE trial.https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollabFREE to join!! Become a JL Insider to receive access to newly added resources and video content, advance notice for sessions/workshops, discounts for learning events and resources, plus so much more! https://bit.ly/JLinsider Join the Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, to engage in further conversations and resource sharing with others dedicated to ensuring effective teams and collaborative structures - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and click the little bell icon to be notified when @jigsaw_learning posts a new video! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7owWebsite https://jigsawlearning.caEmail [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/
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47 MIN
FRIDAY FOCUS - Setting up the Room for Collaboration
MAY 22, 2026
FRIDAY FOCUS - Setting up the Room for Collaboration
______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systemsAre you looking to further your growth as a collaborative leader? Access numerous FREE resources and webinars designed to help you build and sustain a strong culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/freeInterested in learning MORE about a framework that can transform your PLC and MTSS efforts? Access the FREE Overview of Collaborative Response Article https://bit.ly/CR-overviewExplore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-introLearn more about WeCollab and access a FREE trial.https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollabFREE to join!! Become a JL Insider to receive access to newly added resources and video content, advance notice for sessions/workshops, discounts for learning events and resources, plus so much more! https://bit.ly/JLinsider Join the Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, to engage in further conversations and resource sharing with others dedicated to ensuring effective teams and collaborative structures - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and click the little bell icon to be notified when @jigsaw_learning posts a new video! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7owWebsite https://jigsawlearning.caEmail [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/
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2 MIN
How School Leaders Can Plan an Effective Annual Calendar - Ep 91
MAY 21, 2026
How School Leaders Can Plan an Effective Annual Calendar - Ep 91
4 Mistakes Leaders Make When Planning for Collaborative Team Meetings We highlight four common mistakes leaders often make when planning their first collaborative team meetings .Enroll Today ➡️ bit.ly/4mistakesCTMIn this weeks episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis and Lorna reflect upon the need to establish an annual calendar in your school, refelcting key assessment dates, team meetings, PD days and more, to ensure intentionality, alignment and predictability for your collaborative efforts.Connected Resources:Blog posting - Examining Collaborative Team Meetings: Establish an Annual Calendar - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publications/blog-posts/going-deeper-collaborative-team-meetings-idea-2-establish-an Template - Annual Team Meeting Planner - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1394nYelZlAYY7pYXCnfhSYGGViUQ4E0EM_5rG4v_5KQ/edit?usp=sharing Annual planning examples - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qIkjEV8XQp46thGD5Ncf1T6H7N382wXi?usp=sharing West Meadow Elementary School example - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oIFBO4cYLx1zx9UrEv33xHu0sHLUkPQW______________________#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems #MTSSAre you looking to further your growth as a collaborative leader? Access numerous FREE resources and webinars designed to help you build and sustain a strong culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/freeInterested in learning MORE about a framework that can transform your PLC and MTSS efforts? Access the FREE Overview of Collaborative Response Article https://bit.ly/CR-overviewExplore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-introLearn more about WeCollab and access a FREE trial.https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollabFREE to join!! Become a JL Insider to receive access to newly added resources and video content, advance notice for sessions/workshops, discounts for learning events and resources, plus so much more! https://bit.ly/JLinsider Join the Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, to engage in further conversations and resource sharing with others dedicated to ensuring effective teams and collaborative structures - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and click the little bell icon to be notified when @jigsaw_learning posts a new video! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7owWebsite https://jigsawlearning.caEmail [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-incInstagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/
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14 MIN