"In a nutshell: Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.”

- Etienne Wenger-Trayner, Pioneer of Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice (CoPs) are a time and place for front line youth workers, program directors, and executive level directors to gather with their peers, share their work, learn from each other and move their programs to new levels of quality.  CoPs are free and open to any member of the Cambridge OST professional community.  

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2020-21 Upcoming CoPs

Until further notice, COPs will continue to meet on the Zoom Video Conference Platform. Please register below to receive a link to the Zoom Conference. Email: barbara@agendaforchildrenost.org if you need additional information
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We also began collaborating with the STEAM Initiative to add several NEW COPs focused on curriculum planning supporting programs to integrate our STEAM Habits of Mind.

View the AFCOST Community of Practice 2020-21 schedule & directory.

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Community of Practice Groups

Front Line

The Front Line CoP is a safe, fun and engaging peer learning group designed to meet the needs of those who work directly with young people and have no supervisory responsibilities. Front Line CoP content is focused on how youth workers can problem-solve, grow as professionals, and support themselves and each other in improving three tenants of OST quality: Staff-Youth Relationships, Positive Behavior Guidance, and Quality of Activities.

Staff Leaders

The Staff Leaders CoP is designed for those responsible for the oversight, supervision and support of staff that are responsible for the quality of children’s experience. Whether this person also works with young people in the program's ratios or serves primarily as an administrator, the Staff Leader CoP is the place where supervisors examine what it means to lead, mentor, and coach front line staff, evolving from program oversight to inspirational leadership.

Quality Stewards

The Quality Stewards CoP is a space for  conversation between those responsible for setting and/or supporting their organizational visions of quality. Quality Stewards often supervise those who supervise, operating at a level of leadership that links the work on the front lines to the organization's mission and growth. In this CoP, Quality Stewards examine, understand and develop their roles as organizational leaders, answering the why as well as the how of their work.

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Experienced facilitators and community leaders

Communities of practice are led by experienced facilitators and community leaders with years of experience in youth development and education. Visit our Who Are We page to learn more about their work.

Questions? Contact BarbARA MURPHY-WARRINGTON

"COP conversations have helped me support staff--by creating leadership opportunities and
empowering them to solve problems. This has contributed to a happy and cohesive teaching team.
That impacts the children because their teachers are happy, motivated, and excited to bring high
quality programs."