Educational reform requires that each of us be accountable for taking action to create the changes we propose . As Scott Mcleod mentions in his post, “We Are the System” too many of us blame others for the lack of progress we seem to be making towards the transformation of teaching and learning. Each of us needs to lead from where we are, wherever we are. There are far too many teachers who wait for the Principal to initiate change, Principals who wait for the Superintendent, Superintendents who wait for the School Board, School Boards who wait for the State Education Departments, and State Education Departments that wait for the Feds.
The educational machine is powerful and it can be unforgiving. A teacher or administrator who ignores the status quo will soon learn about ‘institutional homeostasis’. It might come in the form of scorn from their colleagues, admonitions from supervisors and administrators, or in the form of parents complaining because they want the same experience for their children as they and their own parents had as students.
So, what will it take to transform teaching and learning? What will it take to shut down the pleasant hum of the machine that is so good at turning out 20th century students even though we’re entering the second decade of the 21st century?
Leaders that are accountable and Committed!
I think this clip from Norma Rae is both inspiring and informing. In it, her supervisor, security police, and the factory boss himself, try to intimidate her. She gets fired from the job she holds so dear.
Norma is leading from the front, by example. Pushed over the edge, she takes action. She steps forward with no assurance that anyone will stand with her. Norma Rae puts herself on the line.
She is all in!
Whenever I see Norma Rae’s face, and the faces of her co-workers, I see fear and hope co-mingled. It inspires me to take a stand for what I believe in! By stepping forward with all she had, Norma Rae eventually gives others the courage to follow her lead.
When we set about following our hearts and doing what we think is right; we hope that what we are doing works, that other people see that it works, and that everything turns out for the best. Sometimes things work out and, unfortunately, sometimes they do not. We don’t have to look further than the assassination of Martin Luther King to understand that. Our push for educational transformation is not a game or fairy tale, and it may not always have a happy ending for us. It takes courage to step out and shut down our machine.
Leaders, whether they lead from the classroom or the district office, need to understand that there are powerful forces aligned against change.
So, it is our blessing and our burden to have the seeds of leadership in each of us.
There is no tiptoeing around this thing. Those who truly desire a transformation of educational system will have to endure many of the same trials and tribulations as those who fought and fight for change in other domains. While educational change agents may not endure the physical pain that so many activists experience; it should come as no surprise that some will be intimidated, or refused tenure, or shunned by colleagues.
If we are going to shut down the momentum of the educational machine, if we are going to transform the factory floor, we will need to be “all in”.
Accountability and Commitment...
Adapted from a post at Ed Tech Journeys
pete