Supervisor Learning Circle Facilitation Training – San Bernardino

Level: Advanced Practice – Supervisors

Credits: 6

Intended Audience: 20 CWS supervisors identified to co-lead cross-regional and cross program, peer-to- peer learning circles

Description of Course: This one day training will impart facilitation skills for Supervisors to utilize when co-leading their peer-to-peer learning circles. They will gain knowledge and skill on building shared understanding and agreements on their self-directed agenda throughout the year. They will learn how to structure the meetings with their cohort and walk away with some first steps for rolling out the learning circles county-wide. The trainer/facilitators will use posters, handouts, and flip charts to share and gather information. Activities will include: some lecture, small group and large group discussions and planning sessions.

Intended Objectives:

• Increase their understanding of the Super 8 steps of facilitation to create shared responsibility for the success of the Supervisor Learning Circles.
• Value their role as change agents in their own and the group’s self-directed learning.
• Enhance their confidence in dealing with challenging group dynamics.
• Describe how to leverage diverse opinions and styles.
• Practice use of specific tools for building understanding and agreement.
• Increase their understanding of the Supervisor Self-assessment tool and learn how to use it with their cohort.
• Plan next steps for launching the Supervisor Professional Development Program.

Topics Include:

1) Super 8 Facilitation Theory and Practice Skills:

• Wearing “two hats” as the Facilitator
• Listening as an Ally
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Tools for Building Understanding and Agreement Preventions and Interventions for
• Meeting Behaviors

2) Supervisors’ role in outlining the structure and activities of the Learning Circles,
including creating Learning Circle Action Plans: Through a facilitated process, each
Learning Circle will develop a group plan, stating learning goals, for at least six
Learning Circle meetings. The result will be a shared vision for supervisory practice,
with specified steps to achieve that vision. Learning Plans serve as the guide for
applying learning to practice.