The Teacher Collection
Community Circle Discussion Starters
Community Circle Discussion Starters
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Community Circle Discussion Starters
Giving voice and sharing space with everyone at the beginning of a staff meeting builds the foundations of respect, trust and connections, aspects vital to every staff team. Community Circle is a small investment intervention and in as little as 5 minutes, gives everyone the opportunity to contribute to their community and share with one another.
Establishing a Community Circle with your staff is both easy and rewarding. Often, it’s not the answer to the prompt that brings about the most learning - it’s in the explanation. The explanation of the answer allows us to connect on a deeper level and learn more about our colleagues. It helps build stronger relationships, layering upon trust that’s built up over time.
But what if they only give 1 word answers.
This is part of the beauty of Community Circle-everyone can enter where they feel comfortable and safe. You might notice that some people spend the first few weeks 'passing' before they feel comfortable to share. Others will give 1-2 word answers. I'm sure you're already thinking of the colleagues who'll dive right in and share. This is all part of the trust building process and I'm sure you'll notice changes in staff ability and willingness to share throughout the year.
Ah but it takes sooo long!
Yes, it does take a time investment, which can be especially challenging when time is already so sparse within our schools.
To this argument, I like to encourage people to consider what they, and their school values. If creating a culture of respect, trust and connected staff is a priority within an organisation, then sometimes there are allowances (and sacrifices) that need to be made.
Taking 5 minutes from the start of each meeting shows that staff are valued, seen and heard, which is particularly powerful when it comes from Leadership in a top-down approach. It’s no use committing to improving staff wellbeing on paper. We need to walk the walk!
Let's start!
This resource is designed to start rich conversations with our colleagues. These questions encourage deeper discussion, letting our colleagues have a glance into the people we are outside of teaching.
Some of the prompts are designed for deeper conversations. Others will make our colleagues laugh, releasing stress and tension built up over a day working in a school. They can be answered on a surface level, or approached more deeply. This gives flexibility and choice to staff.
- Place all the cards into a single pile. Have each colleague draw a card, sharing their response with the group.
or
- Choose a single card for all colleagues to respond to, taking turns to share.
Examples of Prompts
Your ultimate…
- What’s your ultimate holiday destination?
- What’s your ultimate meal?
- Who’s your ultimate dinner guest?
- Who’s your ultimate inspiration?
- What’s your ultimate fear?
This or that?
- Talking or listening
- Driver or passenger
- Internet down or photocopier broken
- Winter or summer
- Animals or people
- 10 minutes late or 20 minutes early
Best…
- Song?
- Teaching moment?
- TV show/movie?
What makes you…
- Laugh?
- Proud?
- Smile?
- Happy?
Tell us about someone who...
- Makes you laugh
- Showed you compassion
- Got you out of a pickle
- Showed you kindness
General
- What do you enjoy but don't do enough of?
- What's the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?
- If I had more time I would...
- Who is the kindest person in your life?
- If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you'd do?
- If you were given one wish, what would it be?
So what do I get?
By being a part of the Wellbeing Hub, you’ll be able to:
- Access current research in the wellbeing space and explore the possibilities for teachers
- Network with like-minded teachers, who can provide a unique support and knowledge network for you as a teacher and as a person
- Find flexibility with a program that evolves and modifies around your needs and interests
- Structure a strong habit that meets all the dimensions of wellbeing
- Develop an awareness of your wellbeing strengths and barriers
- Dip into a repertoire of strategies available to support your wellbeing
- Use resources and templates to save your valuable time
- Create clearer flow between your life as a teacher and as a person
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This is the program for you if...
- You want a wellbeing pathway that is tailored to your strengths, interests and passions
- You want wellbeing strategies based on research
- You are looking for resources and templates to support your wellbeing
- You’re seeking a supportive, judgement-free space to share and learn
- You want to take ownership and responsibility over your wellbeing now rather than wait for departmental programs to come into play
- You want to work alongside a safe, respectful and knowledgeable community of like-minded teachers who share a common goal
You're probably wondering...
Why am I the best person to lead this program?
I’m currently a teacher and have been teaching for the past eight years. I get it. I know what it’s like and I’m going through the education system right now alongside you. I understand the contemporary challenges of being a teacher. I also work in a regional, high disadvantage setting, so I understand the additional unique set of challenges that come with that context.
I’m constantly reading and accessing the research, reviewing current studies and considering the implications for teachers. Not only is this a job for me, but it’s an area I’m passionate about. As well as having undertaken significant professional learning within this area, I’ve also completed a Masters of Evidence Based Teaching (University of Melbourne), with the focus of that being in the wellbeing space.
Most importantly though, I care. I care about our teachers, the challenges they face. We have kids within our education system that really need us. We are their person, and when we give so much to them, day in and day out, the toll on us can be immense. We can wait the 10+ years it could take to develop policies and a clear, coordinated approach to support teacher wellbeing, or we can take ownership of our own wellness now. It fills my cup being able to support my colleagues.