Collaboratively Coaching Teachers to New Heights | Strengths-based | Teacher Collective Efficacy
BLOG.
DESIGN FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH LAURA GILCHRIST
You see the SVN Staff and Panel present educators in the room tonigt. Panel organized by UMKC.
Amazing Teachers after one of 4 sessions at Mexico 59 schools. (2019)
Led by the one and only Patti Dobrowolski
.jpg)
"Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for seeing the things that I do that aren't always recorded in an observation. Thank you for seeing my heart and the reasons I teach. Sometimes I can get overwhelmed and discouraged with the stuff that happens outside my four classroom walls, but when we talk I get to focus on my four walls, my kids, and what we are doing. I appreciate your enthusiasm in what I do so much. Our discussions were about the amazing things that I tend to overlook when other things happen. Thank you for seeing me and thank you for helping me see me."
Nicole S, Science Chair, PLTW, Missouri
"You are one of the most positive and energetic individuals I have ever met. You have really inspired me to bring the same positivity and energy to my classroom. I have been so excited to try these new resources out in my classroom. This has been an amazing experience and a lot of that is because of your radiating passion for blended learning, and just learning in general. I wouldn't have had the same experience if someone else was leading this. Thank you so much for caring about us as individuals and educators. Also, thank you for being an advocate for blended learning, this is where education NEEDS to be headed. You rock!"
Lauren G, 8th grade ELA, Missouri
"Thanks for working with us, I appreciate your enthusiasm and positivity. You made the experience about our needs and our learning. This was one of the best professional developments I have participated in. The tools you have shared with us have transformed my classroom, and will make me a far more effective teacher. Thanks for everything!"
Jeff C, AP History, Scholar Bowl, Missouri
"Laura Gilchrist made the Blended Learning cohort an amazing experience. The resources were user friendly and she gave us time to play with the new resources and to grow as a group. Laura Gilchrist is truly a TEACHER CHEERLEADER!!!"
Marta S, Middle School Social Studies, MO
"I thought you were crazy in the beginning, but then I realized that you are very passionate about your job! Thank you for making me a better teacher and the importance of how to improve education for 21st century learners! GO CHIEFS!
Doug S, Middle School Social Studies, MO
"Thank you so much for being supportive! I have enjoyed having you in my class and have looked forward to your visits and feedback! You have been someone that I could trust, and you have made me feel like what I do is good--and I have not always felt that way. This PD has been a breath of fresh air for me because it has helped me to stretch myself as a learner and as an educator, and that feels great! Because of the trust we have, I have felt completely at ease taking risks that I never would have predicted I would take, and I can't thank you enough for that! I really hope that we can stay in touch and that you will come and visit my class again."
Stefanie L, Middle School ELA, MO
"I appreciate the positive, risk-taking culture you facilitated for us as adult learners. Because of this we were easily able to pose questions and learn from each other. This was a wonderful coaching cycle that will forever change my teaching and perception of technology integration."
Misty B, Art, NBCT, Middle School, MO
"I enjoyed this professional development more than any in my five years of teaching so far. You are incredibly kind and positive and have provided me with so much information and resources to use in my classroom. I truly believe that I can be a better educator with the knowledge I gained from your workshops and for that I am extremely grateful. Thank you for everything!"
Andy M, Art, High School, MO
“Happiness, not in another place but this place, not for another hour but this hour”
Walt Whitman
ABOUT ME
Passionate Coaching Professional
HELLO. I WELCOME YOU!
I learned, designed and laughed with about 2,000 phenomenal students and beautiful, lovely souls over the course of my 20 years as A TEACHER.
Each of my students has a forever home in my heart.
Missouri State Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2014 and member of NNSTOY. Next, I spent 3 beautiful years coaching and learning with amazing secondary teachers.
In 2018, I embarked on a new adventure as an entrepreneur doing the work I love -- coaching and consulting with teachers, staff, administrators and school districts in Blended Learning and Blended Leadership. And families!
As Vice-President of ParentCamp, I believe in this with my whole being: "Everything we need to create a beautiful future for our kids and communities is already within us." Get in touch to learn more about what I do and how I do it.
MY MISSION
Helping teachers, schools, districts and communities become agile designing with partnership conditions so they can experience joyful synergy and create a positive reality for their community from the inside out. The goal is transformation through the Ultimate in Collective Efficacy -- Family-School-Community Collective Efficacy.
MY VISION
A Lived Experience where
1) Teachers THRIVE.
2) Schools are the HAPPIEST places
on earth.
3) The adults in Family, School and Community are connected to each
other, forming a protective and nourishing network for kids wherever they turn, full of opportunities, love, resources and support.
"For Students to Thrive, I believe Teachers Must Thrive" ~Laura Gilchrist
#TeachersMustThrive
LAURA GILCHRIST EDU SERVICES
YOUR VISION
+ YOUR AMAZING STAFF, STUDENTS, FAMILIES & COMMUNITY
+ LAURA GILCHRIST EDU
Strengths-based Professional Development, Coaching and Consulting
BLENDED LEARNING & BLENDED LEADERSHIP
Blended Learning PD and Coaching for teachers (and increasingly, principals) is highly requested among my school and district clients.
I believe this: "For students to thrive, teachers must unequivocally THRIVE"
My mission is to help you achieve your vision for your teachers. My mission is to help your teachers see their immense worth and value as community leaders, feel safe to partner with me and take risks/feel joy in the classroom, and give them the tools and processes to do it! #TeacherAgency #TeachersMustThrive
My Coaching & Consulting Services
1) Teachers/Staff Blended Learning
One day PD sessions, Multi-day Cohort model PD with classroom, and virtual PD/coaching!
2) Principals Blended Learning Leadership + Customized Coaching
One day PD sessions plus customized collaborative design of staff meetings and PD for partnership. In-person, virtual, blended (both).
This is the highest capacity-building option for your staff and all your kids. I help principals immerse their teachers/staff in the blended learning and partnership conditions in Staff Meetings, PD sessions and more. Custom design of staff meetings and PD for each principal with tools and processes plus coaching. Create the positive school culture that grows all staff and kids -- as the Instructional Leader of your staff. Fast Impact. Transformational impact. Joyful leadership.
Contact Laura to talk about YOUR VISION and play with customized PD and Consulting options to make it reality. (And land open spots on her calendar)
EFFECTIVE FAMILY-SCHOOL-COMMUNITY (FSC) PARTNERSHIPS
"Effective Family-School-Community Partnerships" is trending with pioneer administrators, educators and districts (as well as families). People are realizing it may be the biggest capacity-building "lever" in your ecosystem, meaning adults and kids have a lived experience in which they are happy, healthy and supported so they can THRIVE!
It's about actively jumping onto the path to effective family-school-community partnerships and the Ultimate in Collective Efficacy -- Family School-Community Collective Efficacy, with a plan and consulting to guide your RUN!
My Coaching & Consulting Services
1) Family-School-Community Partnerships PD
Practices, processes and tools to build relational trust and relationships for teacher, principals and district.
2) FSC school or district level consulting Create a 1-5 year plan designed with the organizational conditions that will yield effective FSC Partnerships across your entire district and community. Build enormous capacity in your ecosystem with this option.
3) ParentCamp planning, support in a variety of options. ParentCamps are relational trust 'factories.' Relational Trust is the currency of Partnership. When the goal is Effective Family-School-Community Partnerships, ParentCamps are a design ally.
Contact Laura to talk about YOUR VISION and play with customized PD and Consulting options to make it reality. (And land open spots on her calendar)
.jpg)
VIRTUAL PD, COACHING AND CONSULTING
Virtual coaching and consulting in Blended Learning and Effective Family-School-Community Partnerships is a flexible format to consider. It's more cost and time effective.
I've found success with in-person to start with followed by online collaboration thereafter.
While in-person is best, I've found that online can be just as rich and beautiful through a laser focus on building relational trust. Relational trust is the currency of partnerships.
Contact Laura to talk about YOUR VISION and play with customized PD and Consulting options to make it reality. (And land open spots on her calendar)