Sample Mastermind Topics
Each Mastermind topic below was covered in a Mastermind session and included materials for study and discussion.
Prioritization
Leaders identify priorities for the year and explore the why / how of prioritization. Participants learn 3 key skills and explore the Eisenhower Matrix and other tools to support planning.
Effective Leadership Teams
Leaders learn about the 3 keys to establishing effective leadership team culture (Know Ourselves as Leaders, Build Trust & Build Purpose).
Equity
Leaders explore 5 key Mindset Changes Needed for More Equitable Schools, based on the ideas in the book Unconscious Bias in Schools.
Culture
Leaders read about and discuss how a culture of physical safety, strong relationships and continuous improvement can be built and sustained in schools.
Beyond Burnout
Rather than supporting teachers with one-time mindfulness sessions, we introduced a way to address burnout proactively when planning initiatives and for reopening in the fall by using self-determination theory. Read more.
Build Better Habits
Timed with the New Year, leaders read 4 Laws of Behavior Change to Help Build Better Habits, based on Atomic Habits, by James Clear. Leaders identify personal/professional habits they would like to start, along with strategies to ensure success.
Social Emotional Learning
Based on the ideas in Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom: Practical Guide for Integrating All SEL Skills into Instruction and Classroom Management, leaders learn about 5 critical SEL skills: self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, relationship management and responsible decision-making.
Adaptive Leadership
This introduction to Adaptive Leadership explores some of the key concepts in The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World by Alexander Heifetz and Marty Linsky. Leaders are introduced to the differences between technical problems and adaptive challenges.
Leader Reflection
Participants explore four key Emotional Intelligence skills (Self-awareness, Self-management, Social awareness & Relationship management) and hone in on reflection as a critical component of each skill.
Hiring for Diversity
Participants look at the importance of diversifying our educational staffs, share best practices, and explore the issue of bias in the hiring process, particularly with video interviews.
Effective Grading Practices
Participants learn the key grading principles that guide effective practice and explore ways to influence the mindsets of teachers to rethink traditional practices that harm student learning.
Accelerated Learning
Identifying effective leverage points is critical for school leaders. Participants identify how schedules, staffing structures and curriculum and assessment could support accelerated learning.
Change Leadership
Participants learn how to skillfully introduce new initiatives and what skills they need to effectively create the types of changes in their school to move teaching and learning forward.
Coaching / Classroom Walkthroughs
Leaders learn what the research says about effective techniques to improve teaching and learning through coaching and walkthroughs and discuss various models.
Student Engagement
Leaders share and explore research-based strategies for engaging students, and why schools struggle so much with deep student engagement.
Build Better Habits
Timed with the New Year, leaders read 4 Laws of Behavior Change to Help Build Better Habits, based on Atomic Habits, by James Clear. Leaders identify personal/professional habits they would like to start, along with strategies to ensure success.
Leader Credibility
Leaders explore four components of their credibility: Trust, Competence, Passion, and Accessibility. Credibility is essential for school and district leaders to be effective.
