Thinking about change has been on the forefront of my mind. My district is in this phase of changing 2nd grade to a whole new school-- from 2nd to 5th to a K-2 school. Though this may have a lot of benefits, it is hard to see them all with so much disruption. I know this change will bring to light a whole plethora of new strategies, issues, techniques, philosophies and so forth. More importantly, this shift and change will make it obvious who can lead through change and who succumbs to resistance. As for me, this particular question and class has lifted me up and away to see from a different perspective. Change, regardless of its benefits, is enough to make people cringe and fight back. This week's question really makes me think about how I can take a potentially not-so-great situation and turn it into a chance to co-create and collaborate. Embracing the change could lead to creation of more practical and relevant curriculum. The change could allow for more growth in areas it may have been hard to reach with our previous school. Change, in all its vulnerable and unknown essence, CAN be the answer if the right people are leading the change. What I am realizing is that I have the potential to take this disruption and turn it into coherence making. Chapter six in our reading, Leading in a Culture of Change, outlines this as part of the essential characteristics to being a great leader. I find this element of leadership probably the most intimidating and risky. The text goes on to make it seem a lot more simple than most may experience by saying, “When change occurs, there will be disturbances, and this means that there will be differences of opinion that must be reconciled. Effective leadership means guiding people through the differences and, indeed, enabling differences to surface (Fullan, 2001).” With this new element I looked to the internet to figure how do people lead change in a successful productive manner? The article, 4 Things Successful Change Leaders Do, states these four core elements:
The picture found below is a good summary of change through self, others, and organizations. At each level, all are affected differently and these questions help process the unknown variables into manageable changes. Fullan, M. 2001. Leading in a Culture of Change. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED467449.pdf
Dinwoodie, D. Navigating Change: A Leader’s Role. Retrieved from https://media.ccl.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/navigating-change-a-leaders-role-center-for-creative-leadership.pdf Ready, D. 2016. 4 Things Successful Change Leaders Do. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2016/01/4-things-successful-change-leaders-do-well
2 Comments
Sara Lucas
4/16/2017 11:39:11 am
I bet changing schools would be hard. You just have to look at the positive side and really focus on it. I have really been trying to focus on the positive when I can. We aren't changing schools but have had our own challenges this year. Everyone has their own opinions. So I think you have nailed it that these differences will have to be reconciled, and you need a good leader who can help lead you through a change.
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larissa
4/16/2017 09:44:56 pm
It sounds like you have plenty of disruptions coming your way. Way to take them in stride and make the best of a chaotic situation. It seems relevant that you see the potential of switching schools. You wouldn't see the potential or positive outcome without moral purpose. I hope it is a smooth transition and that students acclimate easily.
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Author2nd Grade teacher at Keet Gooshi Heen in Sitka, Alaska Archives
April 2017
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