Publications :: OPSOA

Podcasts

Creating Thinking Systems

In collaboration with the Critical Thinking Consortium (TC2), OPSOA is proud to announce the continue a series of podcasts featuring our members as they share their journeys to create “Thinking Systems.”

As the TC2 communication release reads:

If you’re anything like our first guests in this special podcast series, you might be thinking about how to take the next step to enhance administrators’ abilities to examine data and approach school improvement planning in critically thoughtful ways. Maybe you’re working towards greater cohesion, alignment, and intentionality on your senior team. Perhaps you’re thinking about how to effectively monitor progress towards your district’s goals. As you finally wrap up the school year, we know you’re already thinking and planning with your teams about what you want to tweak and fortify about your work next year!

In the series Creating Thinking Systems, sponsored by OPSOA (Ontario Public Supervisory Officers’ Association), Usha James, TC² Executive Director, talks to senior leaders about their journeys and how taking a critical inquiry approach has guided system change and improvement.

In the first episode, Usha welcomes two guests from the Limestone District School Board in eastern Ontario. Krishna Burra, Director of Education, and Jess Silver, Superintendent of K-12 Curriculum and Program Services describe the district’s journey to think critically and collaboratively about system improvement.

The second episode features OPSOA members, Director Lori Wilder and Superintendent Wendy Louwerse of Bluewater District School Board. Lori and Wendy share the learning journey embraced by the District during the exploration of the inquiry question, "How can we continuously identify, plan for, and effectively respond to support the learners for whom our current practices are not working?" Listen to how the intentional actions taken by the Bluewater Senior Team have lead to increased alignment and a common language across the District.

The third episode features OPSOA members, Director Vicki Houston and Superintendent Kari Bryant of Greater Essex County DSB, sharing their journeys as instructional leaders from the stance of their respective roles. Listen to the impact of changes that were made in meeting agendas and school visits to focus on data literacy creating greater alignment and cohesion throughout the District. Vicki and Kari recount the successes of these changes, the "bumps" experienced as well as their commitment to continue this intentional focus.

The fourth episode feature Director Wes Hahn of Trillium Lakelands DSB, as they explore how TLDSB drives alignment — using inventive ways to spark authentic student feedback, and ensuring everyone from the director, to coaches and consultants, to I/T staff, spend time out in the schools, where real change happens.

The fifth episode features TDSB Executive Superintendent, Nandy Palmer, and HPEDSB Superintendent, Ken Dostaler, in examining strategies and challenges in building and ensuring the capacity to not only support students with special education needs, but improve outcomes for all students.

Where to listen

Select a podcast directory below OR select an episode title to open a player directly on our website.