For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

Speaker

Lisa MacDonald, M.Ed., Founder, Elleminc Consulting

Description

This five part series provides participants with an honest, but engaging way of taking what many of us deal with everyday — “difficult conversations with others” — and breaking them down into smaller pieces. The presenter will offer practical advice that will leave participants empowered, more prepared, and equipped for what we tend to label as “difficult,” “risky” and maybe even “divisive.” Every session is set up with the first half offering an introspective activity or exercise, followed by a discussion of best practices and as well as case studies provided by participants that explore current (and sometimes really challenging) issues facing education and leadership. 

Note: While many participants choose to watch recorded sessions later, this series works best for those who are able to attend and engage on camera as all sessions are highly interactive and discussion based. Participants are the drivers of these sessions—meaning, while there are planned activities and content for each session, the specific topics we get into are determined by participants who are able to share (anonymously if preferred) their current experiences to the table and gain insight and perspective from others! 

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Following the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session.

In this initial session, participants will come together as a group for introductions, engage in attainable goal setting activities, and review the content for the five sessions. We will focus on making sure everyone is aligned on the working definitions used throughout the series and also engage in a light hearted, but important exercise on values versus external priorities. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how our individual values often impact how we approach situations (confront, collaborate, avoid, etc.) and how external priorities and pressures sometimes cloud our ability to feel confident in challenging situations.

How do our biases impact us? Everyone has biases. Period. However, if you are a person with an avowed commitment to treat all people equally and fairly without prejudice or judgment—well, then you still possess biases. Facilitated through a variety of interactive exercises, conversation challenges, and even a riddle or two, participants in this session will have the opportunity to not only discuss the definitions and different forms of bias, but also explore how the “hidden” bias appears in our everyday lives. Participants will also leave with an understanding of why it is critical to be aware of how bias impacts us, how to notice and name when it happens, and what you can do when either shows up, especially when faced with challenging situations, personalities, and issues.

“What if I say the wrong thing?” “I’m worried that I’m going to offend someone.” “Maybe it’s better if I don’t say anything at all.” Such questions and statements are common when engaging in conflict and confrontation. This session is divided into two parts. Part one challenges participants to examine where they are in their personal development, listen to unalike perspectives, and discuss the implications of intent versus impact. Part two focuses on engaging in bystander intervention, establishing confidence in speaking up, and practicing “What to do if..” situations. Case studies and specific topics including but not limited to navigating hostile environments, allegations of harassment, and feeling silenced around opposing viewpoints will begin in this session and continue through the end of the series.

This session explores the intricate relationships between ego as well as power dynamics and how each plays a key factor when confronted with difficult situations. The goal of this session is to better understand, recognize, and manage our own ego and then also analyze through additional case studies how power dynamics (student to teacher, peer to peer, teacher to administration, educator to parent, etc.) influence our interactions and ways to navigate them effectively.

If only we had more time to discuss X, Y, and Z. In the final session, participants will have the opportunity to discuss additional topics or situations that arose during the previous sessions and because we didn’t have time then, we placed them here in “The Bucket” to discuss during this final time together. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to reflect upon the key takeaways from the series and what has changed, enhanced, or improved in terms of feeling more confident when faced with difficult conversations in everyday work.

About the Speaker
Lisa MacDonald, M.Ed.

Lisa MacDonald (she/her) is the Director of Equity Compliance at MassBay Community College where she serves as the institution’s Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer. As a member of the College’s equity leadership team, she provides ongoing education on harassment and discrimination prevention, serves as an investigator for harassment and discrimination complaints, and is currently co-chairing the College’s Review of Policies and Procedures for Systemic Racism. Before arriving at MassBay, Lisa was primarily in Student Affairs at small private institutions where she served as the Director of Residence Life at Babson College (2006-2012) and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Director of Student Conduct at Curry College (2012-2018). Passionate about creating positive relationships and fostering confidence in others, Lisa has her own consulting business, Elleminc (pronounced Ell-Em-Ink) where she provides businesses and organizations with training, coaching, and best practices on how to engage in difficult conversations and have confidence in conflict. She resides in Natick, Mass., with her husband and daughter.

Participants must attend all 5 sessions, either live or recorded, to receive PDPs and/or CEUs. If you are not eligible for PDPs and/or CEUs, you may apply for a Certificate of Attendance.

Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.

Register

FREE
access until October 3, 2023 12:00 am
MEMBER PRICING

If you are seeking to receive CEUs and/or PDPs, please click Register Now. Once you complete the webinar series, you will be able to take quizzes for CEUs and/or PDPs. Upon completion of each quiz, you will receive a certificate.

All sessions are 9:30 am – 11:30 am.

  • Session 1: February 12, 2025, Where Do We Begin? Introspection and Values Exploration
  • Session 2: February 26, 2025, How Our Biases Impact Our Interactions
  • Session 3: March 12, 2025, What to Say, and How to Say It
  • Session 4: March 26, 2025, When Ego and Power Dynamics Play a Key Role
  • Session 5: April 9, 2025, The Bucket