Establish Your Team Values
A collaborative staff activity that gets everyone on the same page from day one.
30–45 min
Staff Collaboration Activity: School Hack Day
A team building activity for teachers to brainstorm challenges and choose ideas to put into action.
Alissa Christensen
A team building activity for teachers where staff spot a challenge at school, brainstorm solutions in small groups, and vote on the idea they're most excited to try first. It gives every team member a direct hand in shaping the school they're proud to work in.
Why try it
Give staff a direct hand in shaping the things they care about most. The people closest to the work, whether it's morning arrival or staff communication, usually have the best ideas for making it even better. Hack Day gives them the time and structure to turn that insight into a real plan, with a small team in charge of carrying it out.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Instructions
1
Brainstorm challenges
In small groups, have staff brainstorm and write down two to three realistic challenges worth taking the time to solve together. Point them toward ideas that are realistic and within the team's control, such as morning arrival routines, staff communication, family engagement, student transitions, staff celebrations, or shared spaces.
2
Pick a challenge and brainstorm solutions
Divide staff into small groups to pick one challenge to focus on and use the included worksheet, or just talk it through, to brainstorm possible solutions.
3
Share and vote
Each group shares its favorite idea with the whole team. Give everyone a few votes to mark the ideas they're most excited to try.
4
Make it happen
Choose one or two winning ideas to put into action. Assign a small team to lead each one and check back in over the following weeks to track progress.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Grade-level teams
Have each grade-level or department team focus on a challenge specific to their own students or classrooms.
Start small
Ask staff to improve one small part of the school day instead of tackling a bigger, harder issue.
The "if we could..." challenge
Reframe the activity around one prompt: if we could improve just one thing about our school this year, what would it be? Staff answer with the challenge, why it matters, three possible solutions, and one small step to try first.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Keep groups small
Groups of three to five make it easier for every voice to get heard during brainstorming.
Leader Tip #2
Post the results
Display the winning ideas somewhere staff pass by often, like the workroom or main office, so the plan stays visible.
Leader Tip #3
Set a check-in date
Put a follow-up date on the calendar right away so the winning ideas have a clear next step.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
Alpaca Pulse Check-In
Turn insights into action
With just three simple questions, Alpaca's Pulse Check-In helps school leaders listen to their teams and act where support is needed most.
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