Looking for an activity that builds connection, encourages collaboration, and gets everyone talking? Try a collective resume!
This engaging icebreaker is perfect for both staff and students. It helps groups reflect on their shared experiences, strengths, and even a few fun facts. Whether you’re kicking off professional development or getting to know your new class, this activity strikes the right balance of meaningful and light-hearted.
For Teachers: Our Collective Resume
Divide your staff into small groups—by grade level, subject area, or something totally random (hello, color-coded candy sort!). Then challenge them to complete their collective resume using the template. How many schools have they taught in? How many students have they impacted? What degrees do they hold? This is a celebration of their shared experience and strength as a team.
Template preview:
- Total years of teaching experience
- Number of schools taught in
- Estimated students instructed
- Degrees, strengths, and hobbies
Encourage groups to present their resume poster and host a gallery walk to share and celebrate the diverse backgrounds that make your staff amazing.
For Students: The Power of Us – Our Super Stats
This student-friendly version of the resume works perfectly in classrooms of any age. Use it to start building classroom community and making connections from day one. Let students work in table groups or small teams to figure out how many pets they have, how many languages they speak, and what hobbies and strengths make their group unique.
Template preview:
- Total years of life experience
- Number of siblings and pets
- Schools attended
- Strengths, hobbies, and languages spoken
Put Your Own Spin on the Activity
- Use large chart paper or digital slides for each group to record their answers.
- Encourage creativity! Let them decorate their resume or give their group a name.
- During the gallery walk, give everyone sticky notes to leave compliments or “likes” on other groups’ posters.
Ready to Try It?
You can download both the Educator Edition and Student Edition templates below to get started. Whether you’re building staff camaraderie or laying the foundation for a supportive classroom culture, these collective resumes are sure to make an impact. And one last bonus—if you would like the Collective Resume for instructional coaches, you are in luck, as I have created one for that group as well.