Challenging Conversations – Single Session Web Conference

Difficult situations demand the best a school leader has to offer in diplomacy, communication skills and conflict management. The development of effective skills in addressing contentious issues is an essential leadership competency and contributes significantly to collaborative school culture. Consistently applying inter-personal skills that promote “open-to-learning” conversations is also a key element of sustained school improvement. Further, the viability and credibility of the individual school leader is often determined by how challenging conversations are addressed.

Participants will learn to

• develop their problem solving skills

• apply knowledge to real-life situations

• engage in reflective practice and

• gain confidence in responding to a wide range of issues.

Your instructor:

Tim Kearns is an educator/ mediator/trainer with many years experience in public education and related public sectors. As an educator he has worked in rural, suburban, and inner city environments. In 2007, Tim concluded his career in public education as a Principal with the Toronto District School Board.

Tim holds advanced mediation certification from the University of Windsor, School of Law. He has chosen to combine his skills as an educator and his experience in conflict management to provide training opportunities for those wishing to enhance their own conflict management skills especially within the contexts of leadership and organizational development. Currently Tim is a Trainer/Facilitator in private practice and acts as a consultant to the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC). He is also the Coordinator of the Experienced Principal’s Development Course at OPC. Tim is the author of The Principal as Leader of Challenging Conversations (2011) part of the Leading Student Achievement Series co-published by OPC and Corwin Publishing. Tim has presented at conferences for a wide variety of organizations in Canada, the United States, and internationally.