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Building a Culture of Collaboration

Building a Culture of Collaboration

Hosted by Jigsaw Learning

BusinessEducationInterviews guests

Episodes

196

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Are you an educational leader or administrator searching for actionable strategies to build effective teams? In the Building a Culture of Collaboration podcast, Jigsaw Learning co-founders Kurtis and Lorna Hewson provide simple, purposeful tips to help you tackle meeting frustration, disengagement, and unproductive teamwork. This is your essential resource for advancing school improvement and collective efficacy. You will find practical ideas for mastering effective meetings, where you learn the structures, roles, and agendas required to ensure your team meetings (PLCs, staff, student support) are focused and drive action. You'll discover how to shift your organization's mindset from isolated practice to powerful, shared responsibility for ALL students—this is key to teamwork and collaboration. Finally, you'll gain the leadership strategies needed to intentionally build a robust and sustainable culture that maximizes collective capacity and student success. We also talk with thought leaders outside of education, to grow our understanding of effective collaboration and teamwork. Subscribe today to master the art of intentional collaboration and take your leadership to the next level!

Listen to episodes

60 recent
October 22, 2026Episode 11521 min

Are We Getting Better, or Just Getting Through? - Ep115

Explore Why it Matters 🔎 Collaborative Meeting Spaces bit.ly/spacechecklist Is your organization truly learning, or just going through the motions? A learning organization is one that is constantly evolving, comfortable with "failing forward," and driven by a cycle of continuous reflection: What have we done, what have we learned, and what comes next? In this video, we break down the critical conditions needed to establish a high-performing learning culture. Discover how to build a team that thrives on Daniel Pink's core motivators—Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose—and why Psychological Safety (as defined by Amy Edmondson) is non-negotiable for taking interpersonal risks. #LearningOrganization #SchoolLeadership #PsychologicalSafety Connected Resource: Fostering Psychological Safety Organizer https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gdSLQH423yS0MCRdau-DRPwZEhAHQEntIKzqO6N9VWM/view Organizer to use with teams to explicitly articulate the actions that we can take to promote psychological safety and the actions that harm psychological safety in teams. ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

October 20, 2026Episode 11442 min

Collaboration Without Conformity: Protecting Teacher Agency with Kallie Ash - Ep 114

🎓 Join Educators From Across the Field → jigsawlearning.ca/summit - FREE to Register Access the FREE Guide for Leaders to Develop and Reinforce Team Norms - http://bit.ly/teamnormsguide In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis is joined by Kallie Ash, an 11-year veteran educator, licensed administrator, and founder of Phased Mastery. Together, they explore why true collaboration does NOT mean conformity. Discover how teams can build shared language, engage in ongoing professional learning, and challenge each other's thinking while keeping teacher agency and professional decision-making at the center. Learn more about Kallie Ash at http://www.phasedmastery.com --------- Connect with Kallie Ash Email: kallie@phasedmastery.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kallie.phasedmastery/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kallie-ash Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email: kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca X: @hewsonk27 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hewsonk27 LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson #collaboration #norms #teamspirit #leadership #systems ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

October 16, 2026Episode 481 min

FRIDAY FOCUS - Try This to Keep Meetings on Track

Simplify Your Next Steps 🧰 Grab the CTM Starter Kit - bit.ly/ctmstarter ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

October 15, 2026Episode 11323 min

Are Your Team Goals Driving Results? - Ep113

📊 Get Your Data Organized and work for YOU!! FREE Webinar→ bit.ly/5mistakesdata Turn Ideas Into Action 💡Get the Crafting Team Goals Toolkit - bit.ly/jlgoals In this weekly reflection, Kurtis and Lorna break down the importance of teams establishing goals to guide their collaborative efforts and some reminders for leaders regarding how to effectively establish the structures for creation, monitoring and support for team goals. Connected Resources: Podcast - team goal alignment - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publications/blog-posts/are-your-team-goals-alignment-creating-intentional-focus-ep Data Review and Team Goal template - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YEVqwmv7WFU8C2vOA8W1KO0EeRu1E9kHPwa_SPep1Tk/edit?usp=sharing Blog posting - Collaborative Planning - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/publications/blog-posts/layering-teams-establishing-collaborative-planning Are We a Group or a Team Staff Activity - https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/resources-and-samples/collaborative-leaders-toolkit/are-we-group-or-team ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

October 13, 2026Episode 11252 min

How to Culturize Your School: Building a Culture of Collaboration with Jimmy Casas - Ep 112

🎓 Join Educators From Across the Field → jigsawlearning.ca/summit Looking to learn more and get started with a powerful meeting structure that will transform your school’s culture? Access the Collaborative Team Meeting Starter Kit at https://bit.ly/ctmstarter How do you transition your school or organization from a culture of surviving to a culture of thriving? In this episode of the Building a Culture of Collaboration podcast, Kurtis and Lorna sit down with state and national award-winning principal, best-selling author, and leadership coach Jimmy Casas. Jimmy shares powerful insights from his 22 years of school leadership and his best-selling books, including Culturize and Recalibrate the Culture. We dive deep into how leaders can eradicate negative undercurrents, handle difficult situations with care and dignity, and build an intentional, sustainable "drip" of collaboration that protects staff from burnout while maximizing student success. If you are an educational leader, teacher, or looking to transform the climate of your organization, this masterclass in culture-building is for you! Learn more at https://www.jimmycasas.com #SchoolCulture #EducationalLeadership #JimmyCasas #Culturize #TeacherBurnout #CollaborationInEducation #PrincipalLife --------- Connect with Jimmy Casas Email: bettcasas@gmail.com X: @jimmy_casas Instagram: casas_jimmy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JCasasandAssociates/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGyi3yFrk09V0w9C18H8qWA/videos Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email: kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca X: @hewsonk27 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hewsonk27 LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson Connect with Lorna Hewson Email: lorna.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca X: @LornaHewson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hewson-713a59104 ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

October 9, 2026Episode 471 min

FRIDAY FOCUS - Want More Engagement? Try This

🎥 Watch the Free Webinar and Transform Your Teams → bit.ly/transformteams ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

October 8, 2026Episode 11121 min

Are Your School Goals Really SMART? - Ep111

Turn Ideas Into Action 💡Get the Crafting Team Goals Toolkit - bit.ly/jlgoals In this weeks podcast, Kurtis and Lorna break down what is a SMART goal and how their development can have a tremendous impact of team collaborative efforts when building upon and improving Tier 1 practices within your school's MTSS efforts. Connected Resources: Crafting Effective Team Goals - Collaborative Leader Toolkit - https://bit.ly/jlgoals SMART Goal Overview Video - https://youtu.be/dlTcCi_EQts On-Demand Workshop - Creating Focus For Collaborative Planning WITHOUT Micromanaging Your Team - https://bit.ly/collabfocus ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

October 6, 2026Episode 11046 min

Why Your Teachers Are Resisting Collaboration (And How to Fix It) with Becca Silver - EP 110

Wondering which leadership books help build strong, collaborative teams? We’ve got you covered! Download the list! - https://bit.ly/102reads Use This With Your Team 🔄 Ensure you are truly engaging as a team - https://bit.ly/JLgroupteam Is your school's collaborative culture stuck in "surface-level compliance"? In this episode of the Building a Culture of Collaboration podcast, we sit down with Becca Silver, founder of The Whole Educator and author of 'The Resistance Solution.' Becca explains why traditional collaboration protocols fail when we don't understand the underlying fears, beliefs, and unmet needs of our staff. If you are a school leader, instructional coach, or district administrator tired of heavy silence or polite nodding in meetings, this episode is a masterclass in turning resistance into a roadmap for trust and ownership. Learn more about Becca Silver at http://www.thewholeeducator.com #SchoolLeadership #InstructionalCoaching #TeacherCollaboration #EducationPodcast #SchoolCulture #TheWholeEducator --------- Connect with Becca Silver Email: becca@thewholeeducator.com X: https://x.com/BeccaSilver_edu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-silver/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWholeEducator Podcast: https://www.thewholeeducator.com/podcast Connect with Kurtis Hewson Email: kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca X: @hewsonk27 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hewsonk27 LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson Connect with Lorna Hewson Email: lorna.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca X: @LornaHewson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hewson-713a59104 #collaboration #norms #teamspirit #leadership #systems ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

October 2, 2026Episode 461 min

FRIDAY FOCUS - New Need Ideas? Introduce the AI Agent

Start Planning Smarter, Transform Your Teams TODAY! 🧩 bit.ly/5planningteams ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

October 1, 2026Episode 10913 min

Beyond the Data Calendar: Connecting Measures, Timing & Action - Ep109

📊 Get Your Data Organized!! FREE Webinar→ bit.ly/5mistakesdata In this weekls podcast, Kurtis and Lorna discuss the value of developing a strategic and aligned data calendar for key measures established for a school. Connected Resources: Data Planning Calendar sample - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oIFBO4cYLx1zx9UrEv33xHu0sHLUkPQW/view?usp=sharing On-Demand Workshop - Establishing a School-Wide Data and Evidence Plan - https://www.jigsawlearningonline.com/establishing-a-school-wide-data-and-evidence-plan-10-considerations-to-maximize-the-use-of-data-in-your-school-main-page ______________________ 🌟 Need a Spark at Your Next Staff Meeting? We’ve curated an inspirational playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJjdJv93diJ8 Check out a number of complimentary resources and webinars to build a culture of collaboration. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/free Take your PLC & MTSS to the next level. 🚀 Find out how!! FREE https://bit.ly/CR-overview Discover What's Missing: 🔎 Grab your Introductory chapter for the best selling book Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-intro WeCollab: Keep student supports, actions, and team conversations connected in one place. Try it FREE. https://www.jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab FREE to join!! Join the movement 📩 bit.ly/JLinsider Engage in conversations in our Facebook Group “The Collaborative Leader”, https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecollaborativeleader Looking for weekly video support and inspiration? 🔔Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow Website - https://jigsawlearning.ca Email - questions@jigsawlearning.ca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/ #collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

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