# Building a Culture of Collaboration

- Link: https://jeffreybradbury.com/jigsaw-learning-podcast/
- Published: 2026-07-22T11:01:37-04:00
- Author: Jeffrey D. Bradbury

Recently, I was a guest on **the Jigsaw Learning Podcast** with hosts Kurtis and
Lorna Hewson, and it was a fantastic conversation. You can listen to the full episode
here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K53nYQVALY4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K53nYQVALY4).

During the show, we discussed how districts move from a collection of “isolated 
heroes” to one connected team, and I walked through five shifts that make it happen:

 * **Treat the district like a connected universe** — much like _Star Wars_ or _He-
   Man_, every department should tie back to one shared story instead of operating
   in silos.
 * **Redefine the coach’s job** — a coach isn’t there to “work with teachers,” they’re
   the vehicle for delivering the district’s strategic plan.
 * **Coach vertically, not horizontally** — start with a whole-staff demo, move 
   to grade-level application, and save one-on-ones for deep implementation.
 * **Follow the leadership dance** — the superintendent sets the goal, the principal
   becomes the first follower, and the coach carries the move to everyone else.
 * **See the coach as the district’s conductor** — the one person holding the full
   score, keeping every classroom playing in tune with the strategic plan.

Underneath all of it are [**Impact Standards**](https://www.teachercast.net/standards)—
the bridge that keeps technology tied directly to curriculum and district goals.

I highly recommend checking out the great work that Kurtis and Lorna are doing at
Jigsaw Learning

 * Website [https://jigsawlearning.ca](https://jigsawlearning.ca)
 * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/](https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/)
 * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc](https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc)
 * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/](https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/)

For more information on the systems behind these ideas, check out my book, _Impact
Standards: Designing District Systems That Power K–12 Learning_, or visit [TeacherCast.net](https://www.teachercast.net).

And if you’d like to have me on your show, I’d love to join you — [reach out here](https://www.teachercast.net/contact).

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