Jam Episode 59: What a Great Meeting, Seriously

Click here to listen to Episode 59 on Jam.ai

Jokes, stories, Instagram posts, and memes about terrible meetings are a dime a dozen, with everyone bemoaning how much time is wasted in workplace meetings. Apparently, they aren’t participating in the meetings I am.

As an example, right before the Winter Break, I had one of the best meetings I had in all of 2023. The meeting included many people I typically meet with – Associate Head of School Colleen Schilly, Middle School Dean of Students Eden Maisel, School Counselor Joan Young. The topic, while not unusual, was an important one –  mental health and wellness in the Middle School, an increasingly critical conversation not just at Hillbrook but in all schools and in all communities. So what made it such a great meeting? Two things. First, the agenda was fabulous – interesting ideas were introduced, we had a thoughtful dialogue, and we even had a chance to try out some exercises that we might use with students. And, second and most notably, the person running it, who was equally fabulous, was only 14 years old.

Yes, that’s right, an 8th grader, Jackson, pulled us together to share his idea for a Wellness Week as part of his 8th grade Social Impact & Leadership project. He sat with four adults and ran a 25-minute meeting like a seasoned pro, providing a clear agenda, creating multiple opportunities for us to ask questions and engage throughout the presentation, and, perhaps most impressively, inviting us to engage in a breathing exercise which he led without missing a beat. Jackson highlighted the significant issues facing adolescents today, and the importance of helping students both develop a tool kit for managing their own emotions and understanding when they might need to reach out to someone else for support. He shared how he is designing a series of sessions in partnership with Joan and several other adults. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Meetings with students are some of my favorite opportunities to connect with students. While this meeting was more memorable than most, it is not atypical at this time of year for me to meet with a range of 8th graders engaged in their SIL projects, hearing what matters and what they are trying to do about it. Indeed, students are having these types of meetings with all types of adults, both on and off campus. They are not just “doing school,” as happens at so many schools, but engaging in real world learning that teaches them invaluable academic and life skills, including how to design and deliver a productive and engaging meeting. 

Feeling frustrated by the meetings you are attending? I have some students who would happily provide some advice.