'Let's Talk About...' online symposia June 2020

On Tuesday, June 30th, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, an insightful webinar took place, chaired by Rachel Lofthouse, Professor of Teacher Education in the Carnegie School of Education. The event marked the final session in a series focused on creating richer educational relationships through better conversations. Five distinguished hosts shared their expertise, offering short contributions based on key questions, followed by a vibrant discussion where participants engaged both online and in person.

The event featured Jasmine Miller, Narinder Gill, Lou Mycroft, Kay Sidebottom, Chris Eastabrook, and Kathryn Morgan, each offering perspectives on how conversations can enhance relationships in educational settings. Their contributions sparked thought-provoking discussions on the transformative power of meaningful dialogue in education.

Kathryn Morgan highlighted the centrality of conversation in fostering relationships, noting that the very essence of a relationship is the conversation itself. Yet, in professional settings—especially in schools—conversations are often rushed, task-oriented, and prone to misunderstanding. This environment can lead to diminished trust and weakened relationships. Kathryn drew on her expertise in 'Fierce Conversations' coaching, focusing on the question: "How do you have conversations that enrich relationships and lead to improvement?" She emphasised the importance of fostering deeper, more intentional dialogues that can lead to positive change within school communities.

The event marked the final session in a series focused on creating richer educational relationships through better conversations.

Narinder Gill explored the role of coaching in leadership with her contribution titled: "How can coaching be used as a core leadership intervention to maximise potential, influence the ethical climate, and optimise well-being and resilience?"She reflected on how, in times of rapid change and mounting pressures, leaders face challenges in maintaining the right balance of skills, values, and behaviors to deliver the best outcomes. Narinder argued that coaching is a powerful tool for developing leadership capabilities, fostering ethical decision-making, and ensuring resilience in both leaders and their teams.

Jasmine Miller built on the theme of coaching, shifting the focus to parents with her discussion on "How can coaching skills for parents develop positive relationships and enhance outcomes for children and young people?" Drawing on her experience as a coach, Jasmine recognised that many parents have negative experiences with education, which can impact their engagement in their children's schooling. She advocated for the use of coaching to empower parents, helping them build positive relationships with their children and become more active participants in their learning journeys. By equipping parents with coaching skills, Jasmine believes schools can foster better communication and collaboration between home and school, leading to improved outcomes for students.

Chris Eastabrook took the conversation outdoors, asking: "How can the environment enhance professional conversations?" He reflected on how the natural environment can facilitate more meaningful professional dialogue. The outdoor setting, he noted, presents shared challenges and a common language that acts as a leveling force, dissolving social hierarchies and balancing power dynamics in conversations. The informal nature of outdoor settings, he argued, allows for more open, honest, and insightful exchanges, creating opportunities for genuine professional reflection.

Lou Mycroft and Kay Sidebottom concluded the session by exploring "How can The Thinking Environment create better professional conversations?" They introduced the Ten Components of the Thinking Environment, a framework designed to foster conditions for high-quality thinking and communication. Lou and Kay explained why this approach is especially valuable in educational contexts, where the need for thoughtful, reflective dialogue is essential to addressing complex challenges. They argued that by cultivating a Thinking Environment in schools, educators can promote collaborative and respectful conversations, leading to better decision-making and professional growth.

As we move forward, the key takeaway from the event is clear: better conversations lead to richer relationships, and these relationships are the foundation of a thriving educational system.

The webinar was not just a theoretical discussion; it provided actionable insights and encouraged participants to reflect on their own roles in shaping the future of education. The hosts presented practical strategies for enhancing relationships through better conversations, whether between colleagues, leaders and their teams, or parents and schools. As the educational community continues to rebuild in the wake of unprecedented challenges, the role of conversation in creating a supportive, trusting, and collaborative environment cannot be overstated.

The session was a reminder that we all have the power to influence education through the conversations we have. Whether it is about improving leadership, fostering better communication between parents and schools, or creating a more inclusive and thoughtful professional environment, these discussions are essential to building a stronger, more resilient educational community. Participants left the session inspired to continue these conversations, recognising that every interaction holds the potential for transformation.

As we move forward, the key takeaway from the event is clear: better conversations lead to richer relationships, and these relationships are the foundation of a thriving educational system.