Idea Parking Lot
A way to give staff a standing place to submit ideas between meetings.
Ongoing
Small Group Brainstorm Breakouts
A low-prep way to get more voices to speak up.
Alissa Christensen
Pause your next staff meeting for 5-10 minutes and let staff talk through a prompt in small groups. Then collect key takeaways to use in decision-making. It's a low-prep way to get more voices into the room.
Why try it
When staff have space to discuss ideas in small groups before the full team reconvenes, more perspectives make it to the table. Quieter voices get heard, conversations stay focused, and the feedback you collect is more useful for school planning.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Instructions
1
Choose your prompt
Pick one focused question for groups to discuss. The included brainstorm questions are a good starting point, or write your own based on a current school priority.
2
Form small groups
Break staff into groups of 3-5. Assign a note-taker in each group, or set out sticky notes so ideas can be captured quickly.
3
Run the discussion
Give groups 5-10 minutes to discuss the prompt. Let them know their takeaways will be shared with the full team.
4
Collect and share
Bring the room back together and ask each group to share one or two key ideas. Use what you hear to inform next steps, and let staff know how their input shaped a decision. It makes the next brainstorm more worthwhile.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Sticky note gallery
Instead of verbal share-outs, have each group post their ideas on a shared wall. Review together as a full team at the end.
Multiple prompts
Run two or three different prompts simultaneously, with different groups assigned to each. Then rotate groups so everyone engages with more than one question.
Department rounds
Use the same prompt across department or grade-level meetings in the same week, then compile responses to identify school-wide themes.
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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