Jigsaw Learning

Audience rating: Family Friendly

Building a Culture of Collaboration

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...

Latest Episodes

FRIDAY FOCUS - Try This to Keep Meetings on Track

Oct 16, 2026

Simplify Your Next Steps 🧰 Grab the CTM Starter Kit - bit.ly/ctmstarter

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🌟 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

Are Your Team Goals Driving Results? - Ep113

Oct 15, 2026

📊 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

#collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

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

Oct 13, 2026

🎓 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
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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
F

FRIDAY FOCUS - Want More Engagement? Try This

Oct 9, 2026

🎥 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

#collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

Are Your School Goals Really SMART? - Ep111

Oct 8, 2026

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

#collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

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

Oct 6, 2026

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
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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
Insta

FRIDAY FOCUS - New Need Ideas? Introduce the AI Agent

Oct 2, 2026

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

#collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

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

Oct 1, 2026

📊 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

#collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

What to Do When Collaborative Teams Aren't Working with Chrissy Beltran - Ep 108

Sep 29, 2026

Access the FREE Transform Your Team Meetings guide, including a meeting agenda template to copy and begin using today - https://bit.ly/5planningteams

📊 Get Your Data Organized and work for YOU!! FREE Webinar→ bit.ly/5mistakesdata

In this episode of Building a Culture of Collaboration, Kurtis sits down with returning guest Chrissy Beltran, author of "Expand Your Coaching Toolbox" and host of the Instructional Coaching with Ms. B podcast. Together, they explore what to do when teams aren't truly collaborative, how to recognize dysfunctional team dynamics, and practical strategies leaders and instructional coaches can use to foster genuine alignment, knowledge building, and collective efficacy.

Learn more about Chrissy Beltran at http://www.buzzingwithmsb.com

Access the 5 day coaching challenge mentioned in this podcast at http://www.buzzingwithmsb.com/cycles

Get your copy of the Expand Your Coaching Toolbox at https://www.ascd.org/books/expand-your-coaching-toolbox?variant=126034

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Connect with Chrissy Beltran
Email: chrissy@buzzingwithmsb.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissy-beltran-898756263/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuzzingWithMsB

Connect with Kurtis Hewson
Email: kurtis.hewson@jigsawlearning.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hewsonk27
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kurtishewson

______________________

🌟 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

#collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse

FRIDAY FOCUS - Stop the Cycle of Back-to-Back Meeting Days

Sep 25, 2026

See How It Works 🛠️ Try This Strategy - bit.ly/CR-overview
______________________

🌟 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

#collaboration #education #MTSS #leadership #systems #edleader #collaborativeresponse