Getting Curious About Change
It's mid-August. That means educators are starting to think about coming back for a new school year. When you read this last sentence, what feelings arise? Excitement? Anxiety? Maybe a mix depending on your situation and status. (Hopefully not dread...)
One anxiety-inducing event that a school leader is often responsible for is introducing a new initiative as part of a building goal. I don't think I need to list all of the emotions that might arise when we prepare for any type of organizational change. Regardless of where a school faculty is heading, it's generally expected that the destination is somewhat unknown. No SMART goal can accurately predict the outcomes of a true learning experience.
While I think it is wise to address any possible emotions with faculty, especially if they have been fatigued by many initiatives from the past, I believe the most important feeling we want to cultivate with our colleagues experiencing change is curiosity.
When we get curious about a change, we make mental room for considering what's possible. There's a focus on the future instead of dwelling primarily on what has come before. For example, in our school we are exploring effective reading instruction. In the past the leadership team and I have prepared PD session topics for the entire school year in the prior summer. This year we are offering teachers a variety of professional resources to explore together in self-selected groups. Our learning will be directed by the questions we ask, the discussions we facilitate, and the ideas we discover, share and try out. This independent study will comprise our entire fall professional learning.
Eventually, we will come together on specific and common studies regarding reading instruction. Yet this PD focus - our collective change - will be the product of our initial curiosity. One teacher emailed me this summer, reflecting on some of the changes for 2018-2019. "I am really looking forward to the possibilities for this school year." She wasn't wishing away her summer. She probably had some nervousness about the fall. But there seemed to be a healthy balance in her message, a sense of calm and confidence during a time that can often feel turbulent.
How are you feeling about the upcoming school year? How might you get curious about any expected changes? Please share in the comments.