As an educator I had big vision for change in schools. Now retired, I admit that I am disappointed that much of my vision has not become a reality. Why did that happen?
Low status
As a teacher, I had low status in the school which means my voice was often disregarded by school committee members and administrators. The low status meant I had little clout when it came to good change.
Ineffective strategy
As a new educator, I came in wanting to change the entire infrastructure at schools. This was not a good strategy. Over time, I learned that to make good change, you need effective, collaborative strategy. Toward the end of my career, I received more leadership with regard to making change from union leadership. Learning more about strategy and change helped my colleagues and me to make an effective change at our grade level in the final years of my career.
Big Issues
It's not easy to make changes in schools, and this fact also prevented a lot of the changes I envisioned. That's why good strategy is so important.
Most visionaries probably leave their work or profession with some regret because our ideas are big and broad, and it's difficult to make that kind of change during one career cycle, but that doesn't mean we didn't do our job.
I can point to some significant, positive efforts during my career which I am proud of, and I can point to a number of errors that prevented greater change. As far as the errors, I will use those to encourage others to do the following with regard to making positive change:
- Prioritize: As you think about all the changes you want to make, prioritize the changes that are most important and work on making change in a step-by-step manner.
- Promotion: It is much easier to make change from a level of authority. I believe it's good to start out in the trenches and learn about the business at hand, but to effect good change, it's easier to work from an administrative position. In this regard, focus on getting the credentials to move up the ranks of your organization.
- Collaborate: Good change depends on team--work with others in considerate, intelligent, thoughtful ways to effect positive change and growth.
- Learn: Gaining expertise related to the changes you want to make will enable you to make those changes. One of the most effective change agents I worked with, combined prioritization and expertise in ways that did make significant change in the education community.
- Connections: Connect with those who understand and desire the changes you believe to be positive. Learn from them, exchange ideas, and work together to make those changes.
- Balance: While change agents are often zealous with their desires to make change, it is essential to make change with a balanced approach. That will earn you greater respect.
- Character: Develop good character in every way that you can in order to make effective change. You will receive more respect if you work with good character at all times.