FOCUS
Building relationships, one practice at a time
By Antonia Issa Lahera and Kendall Zoller
Categories: Collaboration, Facilitation, Leadership, Learning designs, Social & emotional learningFebruary 2022
As leadership coaches, our work in schools has taken us to many places over many years. We have worked with some of the most marginalized groups of students and some of the most privileged. As we have pursued a path of equity for all students, teachers, families, and communities, we have developed a framework to develop, nurture, and grow collaborative relationships. We call it HeartSpace (Lahera & Zoller, 2021). There is ample evidence that the quality of relationships has a major impact on how much learning will occur in any school setting. But, in our experience, most schools do not spend enough time on cultivating relationships in a way that is deep, meaningful, or sustained. Our approach addresses that gap by focusing on a deepening of
Read the remaining content with membership access. Join or log in below to continue.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem.
Foundational principles of HeartSpace practices
-
Service: Give to others, especially those in need. - Relational living: Be mindful of ourselves and others to build healthy, sustainable connections, communities, workplaces, and cultures.
- Responsibility: Take ownership of our actions and those of our communities and cultures.
- Hope: Expect and work toward positive outcomes.
- Persistence: Learn from setbacks; reflect and reiterate.
- Gratefulness: Feel and show kindness and thankfulness.
- Curiosity: Approach the world with wonder and discover its delights.
- Vulnerability: Share authentically and connect meaningfully.
- Humility: Be open to learning from anyone.
- Creativity: Express yourself!
- Joy: Have fun!
Service: Give to others, especially those in need.References
Banks, J. (2006).Race, culture, and education. Routledge.
Banks, J. (2015). Cultural diversity and education (6th ed.). Routledge.
Block, P. (2018). Community: The structure of belonging. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Bolman, L.G. & Deal, T. (2017). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership. Jossey-Bass.
Duncan-Andrade, J. & Morell, E. (2008). The art of critical pedagogy: Possibilities for moving from theory to practice in urban schools. Peter Lang Publishing.
Freire, P. (2000). Pedagogy of the oppressed (30th anniversary ed). Bloomsbury.
Heifetz, R.A., Linsky, M., & Grashow, A. (2009). The practice of adaptive leadership: Tools and tactics for changing your organization and the world. Harvard Business School Publishing.
Lahera, A.I. & Zoller, K. (2021). HeartSpace: Practices and rituals to awaken, emerge, evolve, and flourish at work and in life. Word & Deed Publishing.
Antonia Issa Lahera ([email protected]) is an emeritus professor and independent consultant.
Kendall Zoller ([email protected]) provides professional development in presentation and facilitation skills, leadership, and communicative intelligence.
Categories: Collaboration, Facilitation, Leadership, Learning designs, Social & emotional learning
CURRENT ISSUE
Recent Issues
APPLYING THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING
April 2026
Cognitive science illuminates how people learn. This issue shows how...
LEARNING WITH AI
February 2026
Generative AI can be a powerful tool for professional learning design and...
WHAT STUDENTS NEED NOW
December 2025
For all students to thrive, we need to understand who they are and what...
LEARNING COMMUNITIES FOR LEADERS
October 2025
Leaders need opportunities to connect, learn, and grow with peers just as...
