PK-12 School Leaders Discover the Power of Team Feedback: "Water What You Want to See Grow"

What happens when educators who usually give feedback learn to give and receive it as a team? On October 24, leadership teams from UT Elementary, UT University Charter School, and UT High School found out.

Vince Martinez, a senior partner with Culture Partners and Master Trainer in Developmental Coaching, led the 90-minute professional development session that helped shift how these school leaders think about accountability and results. While Martinez has been working with University PK-12 Schools' leaders throughout the fall, this marked a rare in-person opportunity to dive deep into practical strategies.

A Novel Approach to Feedback

The interactive session centered on the Results Pyramid—a framework encompassing Experiences, Beliefs, Actions, and Results. But the real breakthrough came from Martinez's team-based feedback model, which incorporates both appreciative and constructive elements.

"Culture Change has found that group feedback is rare," Martinez explained. "Constructive feedback is easier as a team because you aren't targeting one person—it doesn't feel as personal. The experience is a different one."

To drive the point home, he offered a memorable analogy: "If someone says you have a tail, that is good information to have; if two people tell you, you better turn around and look." The message? When multiple people share similar feedback, it's time to stop, reflect, and genuinely consider what you're hearing.

School leaders then broke into their respective groups to provide feedback to the superintendent and assistant superintendent for their schools. Even as a workshop exercise, the experience proved eye-opening.

One participant's "Aha" moment came while developing feedback for top administrators—she said the process revealed her own biases. Martinez seized the teaching moment: "Movement comes from realizing our own biases," he said.

The exercise resonated deeply with participants. UTHS Assistant Superintendent Barry Bacom captured it simply: "Feedback is a gift." UTUCS Superintendent Nicole Whetstone and Assistant Superintendent Autumn Leal-Shop found their feedback "extremely valuable" and left with actionable ideas to implement.
 

The Takeaway

Martinez concluded with a powerful reminder for all leaders: "Do not miss the opportunity to tell people you are appreciative of all the amazing contributions they are making. Water what you want to see grow. You are here because you want everyone to be the best they can be.”

Following Martinez's presentation, the meeting continued with updates on operations, special programs, and curriculum, concluding with reflections from Superintendent Nicole Whetstone.