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Rationale: Schools with high trust at the start of changes have a much better chance of improving in math and reading compared to those with weak relationships (Byrk & Schneider, 2002).
Learning Intention: Teams will focus on the importance of trust and meeting basic needs during collaborative time with teammates, especially when having vulnerable conversations about data.
Success Criteria: Teams will know they are successful when they...
Explain what relational trust is and how it builds on basic needs,
Articulate how strong relational trust supports student-centered conversations about data, and
Identify concrete action steps to make collaborative time more student-focused and trust-driven.
Module Overview
Module Overview
Participants will learn how relational trust impacts collaboration and student outcomes, and why it is essential during data-driven conversations. They will engage in activities that build background knowledge on trust, connect teamwork with effective data analysis, and reflect on personal experiences to deepen understanding of vulnerability and teamwork. Finally, participants will create actionable steps to strengthen trust within their teams and make collaborative time more focused on student success.
Building Background
Upgrading-PLCs-with-Trust (1).mp4How to Establish Trust
Play Simon Sinek’s video on the left side of the screen. Listen for answers to these questions:
What does trust feel like?
How is trust built?
What role does vulnerability play?
Individually, or with a partner if you're completing this with others, reflect on these prompts about trust. Feel free to jot a few thoughts down to return to throughout this module.
Think of a colleague you trust deeply. How did that trust form? What moments helped build it?
Next, we will create a “Trust Timeline”.
Use the Google form below to define 3–5 key moments that helped build trust with the colleague you thought about earlier.
Label each moment with a feeling or action (e.g., “They listened,” “I admitted a mistake,” “We solved a problem together”).
Relational Trust Deep Dive (10 minute individually, 20 minutes in a group)
Step 1: Review (3 min) Begin by carefully reviewing the Relational Trust below infographic. Each statement highlights a different dimension of trust such as creating psychological safety for trying new practices, reducing vulnerability during change, and strengthening accountability grounded in shared purpose.
As you move through each point, pause to consider: What does this look like in my daily interactions? Identify two or three concrete actions you can take to build trust with colleagues. The goal is to connect each concept in the infographic to a specific behavior you can practice consistently in your school community.
Step 2: Reflect (5-10 min) After reviewing the infographic, open the drop-down questions in the “Getting to Know You” section. These prompts are designed to deepen your thinking about relational trust through personal reflection or team dialogue. You may choose to respond privately, journaling your answers to at least two questions, or you may engage in conversation with colleagues using either the same prompts or different ones from the list. The questions are intentionally varied so that teams can explore multiple entry points including values, work habits, communication preferences, or experiences that shape how we show up. Whether you complete the activity alone or with others, the aim is to surface insights that strengthen understanding, empathy, and collaboration.
Step 3: Make it Practical (2-7 min | To close your reflection, take a moment to consider how building relational trust supports the instructional work you engage in every day. You might consider, How does trust influence my ability to discuss student learning openly and use data to make meaningful instructional decisions? or What becomes possible in a school where colleagues reliably help, challenge, and support one another? Capture your thoughts in writing or share them with your team. Connect trust-building behaviors to the broader goals of school improvement and reinforces how essential relational trust is for navigating change, problem-solving, and doing the hard work of improving outcomes for students.
Action Planning
Action Planning
Step 1: Review Resources (6 min) If you are completing this module alone, choose a few of the resources to explore. If you are completing this module as a team, divide the resources linked below among the group and review materials to support the development of trust within teams.
Simon Sinek on Building Trust through Committed Leadership (Video, 4 min)
An interview with Simon Sinek on how leaders take actions that prove they are worthy of trust.
Step 2: Discuss Ideas (7 min) Coming back together, share ideas to incorporate into future collaborative meetings.
Step 3: Commit to Action (7 min) Define and record any action steps that you will need to implement to bring this learning back to your school and your team in the Google Form below. Be sure to define the action step, who is responsible for this task, and when they will need to complete the task.
Exit Ticket
Before you wrap up, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned throughout this module. This short activity will help consolidate your understanding of building trust in PLCs and give you a chance to identify key takeaways. Your responses will also help guide future learning and support continuous improvement in your practice.
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