Successful implementation of T-TESS and T-PESS is driven by growth-oriented conversations and self-reflection of practices with academic student performance in mind. Such continuous improvement processes can sometimes be derailed by the inability to resolve or deescalate potential conflict or by avoiding confrontation altogether. Crucial Conversations is a two-day course that provides educators with the opportunity to learn and practice skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering healthy dialogues around high-stakes, emotional, or risky topics—at all levels of a school district. By learning how to speak and be heard (and encouraging others to do the same), participants will begin to surface the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions, and then act on decisions with unity and commitment.
Participants will learn how to: speak persuasively, not abrasively, foster teamwork and better decision making, build acceptance rather than resistance, resolve individual and group disagreements.