Taking Professional Development for Teachers to the Next Level…
W
e are always delighted when teachers accompany their students to a GRIP Student
WHAT STAFF HAVE SAID
Leadership Conference and at the end of the day walk out with a genuine spring in their step stating, “I got as much out of today as the students did!” Others have thanked us at the end of the day and suggested, “You should run days like this just
A new way of viewing leadership...
for teachers.”
So we have! Our annual conference for educators is called the ‘GRIP Leading & Teaching Conference’. In 2013 we trialled this event running a handful of conferences, attended by over 400 teachers. After the success of this experiment, we made the decision to create a brand new program each year and make the GRIP Leading & Teaching Conference an annual event. We set out to make this conference for educators exponentially different to other professional development days by building the day on three key factors:
1. Wide Variety of Participants Many teachers are familiar with the normal model of attending PD days with others from the same school, the same system, the same teaching specialty or the same experience level. However, this conference brings together teachers and educators of all ages and school types. Because the focus of this conference is on leadership principles that run deeper than any single context, much can be learned by sharing with other educators from entirely different settings.
2. Practical and Interactive Round table seating, guided discussions and opportunities for participant input create an environment of conversation and interaction. The casual atmosphere and relaxed style of our
“The GRIP team presented a thoughtprovoking and inspirational day. I am returning to my school re-charged with a new way of viewing leadership.” Dianne Cowderoy Sherwood Ridge PS, Sydney.
So many practical applications... “An excellent program, it’s not very often you come across a PD that has so many practical applications. Well worth attending. Thank you.”
presentations provide plenty of opportunities for discussion accompanying the content with a few good laughs.
Louise Judge, St Stephen’s School, Perth
3. Focusing on Unique Concepts This conference is not the place for exploring statistics, legislation, current jargon or fads. Each year the conference program will consist of a single theme that introduces new thoughts and practical application that enable teachers to genuinely increase their own leadership capacity as well as that of their students. The 2015 GRIP Leading & Teaching Conference is themed ‘Teachers Who Make a Difference’ and is based on the research and publications of James Kouzes and Barry Posner. Full details about conference sessions and online registration are available at www.gripleadership.com.
For more information, visit www.gripleadership.com