Lou Ann Keeling Kellèe Merrit
Name
Making Uncomfortable Comfortable (SH)
Session Type
Workshop
Track
GYTO's School House
Description

Talk about it, talk about it, talk about...IMPROVING! It’s time to turn uncomfortable moments into opportunities for growth. Join Kellèe and Lou Ann, administrators from Indiana’s GYTO Collaboration Site, as they share practical strategies for engaging in courageous conversations that lead to powerful change from both the teacher and leader perspective. Receiving constructive feedback can often feel awkward or even intimidating, but it’s a critical tool for fostering continuous teacher growth and improving student outcomes and takes everyone to see results.

This session is designed to help teachers and leaders explore how they can develop communication skills school-wide for giving and receiving meaningful feedback that is empowering, collaborative, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

Both giving and receiving feedback can feel daunting, no matter your role, but effective leaders and teachers use feedback daily to communicate and execute a vision for growth that’s intentional, reflective, student-focused, and designed to build lasting connections between teachers and leaders. Get ready for an honest, open conversation surrounding this intentional dialogue that will lead to success for for your entire school community!

Session Research
Hattie, John & Timperley, Helen (2007). “The Power of Feedback”

Severns, Tracey Ed.D. (2024). Mistakes, Misteps, Missed Opportunities: Lived Lessons from the Real World of Educational Leaders

Darling-Hammond, Linda (2017). “Improving Teacher Feedback: Reducing Resistance and Promoting Engagement in Professional Development”

Tschannen-Moran, M. (2014). Collaborative Trust and Teacher Leadership: Establishing a Culture of Feedback