A Peer-Led Journey to Building a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
Collaborate to create a role-specific Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) section and build leadership skills for school resilience.
Instructor: Riley Williams
About the course
This course is designed for K–12 administrators and staff to strengthen school resilience during disruptions such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, and pandemics. Using Circles' peer-based model, participants collaborate to create a role-specific Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) section. Throughout the experience, they also build leadership and crisis response skills through scenario-based activities and shared reflection.
Cómo funciona
Te unirás a un grupo de 2 a 5 colegas, y como grupo se reunirán 4 veces, de forma presencial u online, en el horario que ustedes acuerden.
1
Únete a un círculo
Organiza tu grupo de estudio con colegas durante el período de match.
2
Acuerda un horario
Decide el momento más conveniente para tus sesiones, online o en persona.
3
Únete y colabora
Cuando llegue la sesión, conéctate con tus colegas y completen las actividades juntos.
What's included
2 live tutoring sessions with expert
Personalized feedback per session
Access to Circles platform
WhatsApp support
Verifiable digital certificate
Weekly reports for leadership
Requirements
- Current teaching position or educational role
- Basic computer literacy and reliable internet access
- Willingness to engage in interactive group learning
- Openness to implementing new strategies in classroom practice
Course syllabus
Session 1: Why Continuity Matters – Grounding in Purpose
- • Understand the purpose and importance of a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
- • Identify gaps in existing emergency plans using the REMS framework
- • Reflect on personal leadership goals for responding to school disruptions
Session 2: What We Must Protect – Essential Functions & Risk
- • Define and prioritize essential school functions using a REMS-aligned approach
- • Analyze the impact of service disruptions on vulnerable student populations
- • Track personal growth in confidence around continuity leadership
Session 3: Making the Plan Real – COOP Frameworks in Action
- • Learn key components of COOPs, including succession, communication, and alternate delivery
- • Begin drafting a personalized COOP section with peer support
- • Shift mindsets around planning through collaborative reflection
Session 4: Practice & Grow – Sustaining Resilience
- • Simulate a real-world disruption using a tabletop exercise
- • Finalize and reflect on a drafted COOP section
- • Evaluate growth in confidence and leadership capacity
Conoce a la instructora
Riley Williams
Dr. Riley Williams is a nationally recognized leader in experiential learning and school safety, renowned for her ability to translate complex crisis planning into clear, actionable strategies for educators. Holding a Doctorate in Education, her pioneering research in project-based and outdoor adventure learning underscores her belief that the most impactful education is rooted in real-world experience and collaborative discovery. As both a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Dr. Williams also brings unmatched expertise in operational resilience, emergency preparedness, and systems-level school safety.