Building a Legacy Through Systems: Ensuring Sustainability in Collaborative Response

In a recent conversation with a district leader, we discussed the desire to create something that would endure long after the current team has moved on. The goal was to establish highly effective systems, structures, and processes that could withstand transitions and changes in leadership. This idea resonated with us, as it has been a reoccurring discussion with school leaders that are committed to leaving a lasting impact on how they respond to the needs of students.

Creating a legacy in education, particularly in relation to Collaborative Response efforts, poses unique challenges. The perpetual cycle of personnel transitions, whether due to relocation, retirement, or career moves, demands a thoughtful approach to documentation and sustainability. Reflecting on our own experiences, we realized the importance of ensuring that the work doesn't falter when key individuals step away.

Intentional efforts are required to document your journey. Creating visual artifacts showcasing the layers of teams, their purpose, and the overall Collaborative Response framework are one way to create sustainability. This not only helps in capturing your school knowledge but also ensures that new staff members can seamlessly integrate into the existing system. The following visuals created by Pigeon Lake Regional School represent their efforts in creating sustainability across their school.


There are several ways to record your system of supports across the school or division ranging from using a Google Classroom to a district employing a dashboard or portal on its internal staff site. These platforms serve as centralized repositories for meeting dates, continuum details, and other essential Collaborative Response documents.

Northern Gateway Public Schools has documented their journey of developing clear Tier 1 division-wide practices related to quality pedagogy and a foundational culture of wellness on their public website.


A handbook format, whether physical or digital, is a great method of gathering documents and articulating structures and processes unique to your school. A well-organized folder containing standardized documents like agendas, team structures, and continuous support strategies is an invaluable resource especially during transitions, whether in or out of the building.

The following sample is a handbook excerpt developed by Arborgate School that shares their version of the four layered team meetings.


Leadership development is a key factor in sustaining Collaborative Response efforts. Schools are encouraged to groom multiple leaders within the building who could step into roles and keep the legacy alive. Involving teachers in leadership teams and decision-making processes can contribute to the organic growth of leadership within the school. Structures such as lead teams or guiding coalitions are a natural structure that extends the leadership within the school, provides an avenue for feedback and direction as well as providing teachers with informal leadership experience.

From a system-wide perspective, the importance of setting intentional targets is essential. School divisions establish "divisional non-negotiables" related to Collaborative Response, ensuring a consistent framework across all schools. Additionally, the creation of rubrics depicting the growth stages in Collaborative Response implementation serves as a dynamic tool for assessing progress and determining support needs.

From the district perspective, Grasslands has created documents that demonstrate their Collaborative Response Early Learning Program.


Building a legacy through systems requires foresight, documentation, and intentional leadership development. It's about creating a culture where Collaborative Response is not just a set of practices but a defining element of the institution. As you embark on the next steps in your Collaborative Response journey, consider asking the critical question: How can we ensure that this is sustainable, that it survives beyond any of us?

We invite you to share your examples, ideas, and thoughts on developing legacy in Collaborative Response in your organization. Your experiences can inspire and guide others on this collective journey. Email questions(at)jigsawlearning.ca or lorna.hewson(at)jigsawlearning.ca if you have something you wish to share.

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Author: Lorna Hewson