Curiosity in Action: Turning Staff Meetings into Moments of Connection

By:  Otto Neitzel
School:  American School of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

This was my first year in a new school—the American School of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico—which welcomed me and my family so warmly. From the start, one of my top priorities was simply to connect—getting people genuinely curious about each other, their students, and the learning happening all around them. I asked teachers if they’d be open to moving staff meetings out of the library and into their classrooms. Each volunteer host teacher shared a quick “pearl of wisdom,” highlighted something meaningful in their space, or told a success story, and gave a short presentation introducing themselves more personally. It didn’t take long before walls came down. People started asking questions, making connections, and continuing those conversations well beyond the meetings. For me and the new teachers, it was incredibly valuable to learn from those moments.

We also changed how teachers’ yearly SMART goals around student growth were shared. Instead of staying between a teacher and their evaluator, they became part of our staff meetings. Teachers talked about what they were focusing on, and others offered ideas, support, and encouragement. That openness sparked curiosity and made the learning visible. What surfaced was powerful—so much great thinking that often goes unnoticed. By bringing it into the open, we built stronger collaboration and created real momentum for growth. In the photo, you can see one of those moments—simple, authentic, and exactly where meaningful change begins. I believe these initiatives connect well with the TriCon26 theme, Ignite Curiosity, Empower Learning, Inspire Change.