change

​One of the biggest challenges for people is CHANGE.  We are, for the most part, creatures of habit. There is a certain level of comfort in doing the same thing the same way over and over again.  Unfortunately, no matter how much change makes us uncomfortable, change is inevitable.
In life, but most certainly in educational leadership, the first thing to do is understand that change will happen.  As an elementary student, I remember sitting in straight rows.  Our classrooms were assigned based on ability.  One classroom had the above average students.  Another classroom had all of the average students.  Yet another classroom had all of the students considered to be below grade level.  We were not taught to “think”.  We were taught to memorize all material in order to regurgitate it back for the teacher on a test.  We were expected to sit in our seats, stay quiet, and pay attention to the teacher who was teaching us lecture style.
Honestly answering the questions below will place you on a path to make transformative changes in education.  Remember, effective leaders are visionaries.  Identify where education is going and start taking your staff there now… for the sake of your students.
 
Reflection Questions: 
Do classrooms in your school or district look mine did 35 years ago?
Do we teach students to critically think and not just memorize material?
Do we engage students to increase the likelihood that they will retain the information?