Brendan Sullivan has designed and facilitated workshops specifically to respond to the needs of teachers to work together as a team, to listen, communicate and collaborate more effectively. Among his clients are the Chicago Public School System - King College Prep, Walter Payton College Prep, Whitney Young Magnet High School, Senn High School, Rodriguez APC, Bell Elementary School, Douglass Junior High,, and the Archdiocese of Chicago - Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, St. Benedict's (Chicago,) Sacred Heart (Winnetka) Elementary School, and St. Joseph's Elementary - Addison, IL.
The workshop can be designed as an in-service program for one school's entire faculty. This program focuses on team building and group dynamics. Or, the workshop can be adjusted to meet the needs of individual teachers who do not necessarily work together, or who work in different schools, different school districts or different school systems. In this case, the workshop focuses on individual skills which a teacher can develop to become a more effective collaborator, communicator, listener and teammate.
These very interactive workshops apply the fundamentals of successful improvisational theater to the school environment. The workshops are a safe, supportive, fun and effective laboratory for encouraging teamwork, active listening, communication and collaboration.
Good improvisational theater is built on trust, support, acceptance, respect and teamwork. The workshops are designed to develop these same ideals in the academic workplace. The results include more dynamic ideas, greater collaboration and a healthier work environment.
Brendan Sullivan is an approved provider of continuing professional development units (CPDUs) for the Illinois State Board of Education. Any qualifying teacher who successfully completes the 3-hour workshop can earn 3 CPDUs toward re-certification. Visit the Illinois State Board of Education website for more details.
For additional information on the workshop's designer and facilitator, please visit the About the Coach page on this website.
”Brendan's program was so clearly positive, encouraging us to affirm and build on one another's creativity and to work as a team… He was very engaging and kept us involved in the process. It was a very creative, enjoyable and worthwhile day.”
- Sr. Judith Murphy, O.S.B.
Principal, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School