Today I joined a group of education leaders in Southeast Wisconsin for another discussion on our broken education system, our outdated ideas and our failed initiatives. I get it. You had me at "hello". Southeastern Wisconsin has been recently deemed an "innovation laboratory" and part of a 6-state ginormous PLC through the Parntership for Next Generation Learning (nxgl.org; ccsso.org; stupski.org). We are working, as a consortium of school districts (45 in total), ranging from affluent suburban to urban, to "transform" public education in our state and eventually in the nation. Wisconsin joins 5 other states - Kentucky, Maine, West Virginia, Ohio and New York - in an unprecedented, collaborative effort to actually do something different....can I get an "AMEN!" If you aren't religious, give me a "whoot whoot"!
I entered the meeting today with a full heart and fiestyt spirit, ready to worki with my colleagues on some actionable items - the "let's get to the doing" list.
Didn't happen.
More talk about the rationale and urgeny for change. We get it. We're with you. We want to DO!!
I reflected today on the enormity of the task before us: to think radically differentl about personalization, assessment, student voice, time/space, and the role of the teacher in the 21st century. But what an opportunity!!!
My colleagues in the room today, all superintendents, directors, principals and teacher leaders, are generally like-minded and understand the need for change.
That said, my mind drifted to those with whom I spend a great deal of time: Our school board members and community leaders who perhaps do not share the same desire to see radical change.
How are you helping your community to understand, value and support change in education?
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