Becoming an Expert Facilitator

I attended a training organized by CATDC called "Becoming an Expert Facilitator." The program focused on developing skills related to meeting design and framing, which are critical in increasing engagement and effectiveness. During the training, we discussed how context, layout, and content form the foundation of a good meeting and how one or more of these components can cause a meeting to break down if not addressed carefully. Another theme of the program was to "make the implicit explicit." We practiced using tools such as community norms and meeting user manuals to clarify expectations and create a safe environment for participants. We also used visual thinking protocols, such as 2x2s, process flow charts, and Venn diagrams, to make the meeting content more accessible. During the three-day training, we had ample opportunities to practice with the tools and strategies we learned. The program culminated in an exhibition of learning, where we presented a meeting we designed for the upcoming school year and received feedback from the other participants.

It's been a few months since I attended the training, but I still use what I learned on a weekly basis. I have shared several tools with Danya and Alexandria and have used my new-found meeting design skills to enhance the frame of the Student Support Team meetings this year. I highly recommend this professional development workshop to anyone who facilitates meetings regularly!