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 - A Simple Swap That Boosts Participation
DEC 12, 2025
FRIDAY FOCUS - A Simple Swap That Boosts Participation

______________________
#collaboration #norms #teamspirit  #leadership #systems

Are 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/free

Interested 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-overview

Explore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE https://bit.ly/CR-intro

Learn more about WeCollab and access a FREE trial.
https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab

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_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow

Website https://jigsawlearning.ca
Email [email protected]
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/

play-circle icon
2 MIN
How Creativity Transforms Collaboration in Early Learning with Faigie Kobre - Ep 56
DEC 9, 2025
How Creativity Transforms Collaboration in Early Learning with Faigie Kobre - Ep 56

Access a workshop guide to help your team unpack their norms and help them have a greater impact on your collaborative efforts - https://bit.ly/jlnorms

In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis is joined by Faigie Kobre, early childhood educator, former preschool director, art teacher, and PD creator whose unique journey blends education, visual arts, and entrepreneurship.
Faigie shares why “negative and positive” art experiences are one of the most effective ways to help teachers feel what children feel… and why these same activities can bring parents and administrators on board with creative, student-centered approaches.

Access the FREE Unlock the Power of Arts and Crafts blueprint - https://eduart4kids.com/opt-in-for-mini-course/

Access the course at https://eduart4kids.com/developing-an-art-curriculum/

She also dives into the power of the TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) method, the importance of autonomy in young learners, and what leaders can do to create environments where creativity fuels collaboration across an entire school community.
Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, early learning director, or instructional coach, this episode is full of practical insights to strengthen collaboration and build a culture where both educators and students thrive.

 #EarlyChildhoodEducation #TeacherCollaboration #CreativeTeaching #InstructionalLeadership #PreschoolArt

Learn more about Faigie at http://eduart4kids.com

---------

Connect with Faigie Kobre
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faigie-kobre

Connect with Kurtis Hewson 
Email: [email protected] 
X: @hewsonk27
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hewsonk27 
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson 

---------
Wondering which leadership books help build strong, collaborative teams?
We’ve got you covered!  Download the list! - https://bit.ly/102reads

Learn more about Collaborative Response https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tbgetTdAiA&t=0s 

Access the FREE Overview of Collaborative Response Article 
https://bit.ly/CR-overview 

Explore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE 
https://bit.ly/CR-intro - if interested in ordering the book, use the code JLPodcast10 to receive 10% off!

Learn more about WeCollab and access a FREE three month trial
https://jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab.ca 

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_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow

Website https://jigsawlearning.ca
Email [email protected]
X https://www.twitter.com/Jigsaw_Learning
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ 
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc

Music: “Culture of Collaboration” has been composed, recorded, and produced by Trent Ferguson for Building a Culture of Collaboration.

Images: Visuals included in this video not generated under agreement with Jigsaw Learning Inc. have been carefully selected under Creative Commons for their permissions.

play-circle icon
36 MIN
How Strong Relationships Build Strong Teams: Leadership Lessons with Teach Better’s Jeff Gargas - Ep 55
DEC 2, 2025
How Strong Relationships Build Strong Teams: Leadership Lessons with Teach Better’s Jeff Gargas - Ep 55

Plan to join Jeff and Kurtis for FREE at the EDUpreneur Launch Summit - December 6, 2025 - https://www.edupreneurcommunity.com/edupreneursummit-jigsaw

In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, we sit down with Jeff Gargas, COO and Co-Founder of the Teach Better Team and co-author of Teach Better. Jeff shares his insights on how school leaders can strengthen collaboration, build trust, and create a culture where teamwork happens naturally—not just because it’s required.
You’ll learn how to:
Engage in real conversations with your team to strengthen relationships.
- Foster trust and open communication in your school or district.
- Make collaboration the expectation, not the exception.
- Apply strategies from Jeff’s experience leading high-performing teams in education.

Whether you’re a principal, instructional coach, or school leader, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you create stronger, more collaborative school cultures.

#SchoolLeadership #EducationLeadership #TeachBetter #ProfessionalLearning #SchoolCulture

Learn more about Jeff Gargas at www.teachbetter.com
---------
Connect with Jeff Gargas
Email: [email protected]
X: @jeffgargas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgargas/
Facebook: @teachbetterteam

Connect with Kurtis Hewson 
Email: [email protected] 
X: @hewsonk27
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hewsonk27 
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson 

Connect with Lorna Hewson 
Email: [email protected] 
X: @LornaHewson 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hewson-713a59104
---------
Toolkits
Does your school team function as a group or team? In this workshop guide, you will clearly define the impact of working as a team and the conditions necessary to establish effective teams. 
https://bit.ly/JLgroupteam

Don’t let ineffective norms hold your team back. Download the Unpacking Team Norms guide today
https://bit.ly/jlnorms

Learn more about Collaborative Response https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tbgetTdAiA&t=0s 

Access the FREE Overview of Collaborative Response Article 
https://bit.ly/CR-overview 

Explore the book Collaborative Response by downloading the introduction for FREE 
https://bit.ly/CR-intro - if interested in ordering the book, use the code JLPodcast10 to receive 10% off!

Learn more about WeCollab and access a FREE three month trial
https://jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab.ca 

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_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow

Website https://jigsawlearning.ca
Email [email protected]
X https://www.twitter.com/Jigsaw_Learning
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ 
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc

Music: “Culture of Collaboration” has been composed, recorded, and produced by Trent Ferguson for Building a Culture of Collaboration.

Images: Visuals included in this video not generated under agreement with Jigsaw Learning Inc. have been carefully selected under Creative Commons for their permissions.

play-circle icon
62 MIN