"Well using technology might sound good on paper...but how do you expect me to do it when I just got an overhead last week?"
"How am I supposed to do anything? They have to fund it before we can do anything!"
After hearing these two statements from career teachers not too long ago, I had to remember what my elementary teachers emphasized...take a deep breath and count to ten. So I took a moment for myself and counted to ten multiple times as I was framing my response to these two educators. I don't remember what my exact words were. I wish I could. My mind had been taken over by these two laughable excuses for not trying new things in instruction. I am sure that I was polite. I probably even smiled and thanked the teachers as they left my classroom upon the end of the learning session...which they had talked through.
It was necessary for me to remember what I had learned about change in education. It is never easy for everyone at the same time. Each of us approaches change differently. Many would rather chew off their own hand before having to change a particular habit. I equate it to giving students new seating arrangements.
"Do I have to sit here?"
"Why am I always in the front?"
"How long are we going to be in these seats?"
I think each of these questions can be easily translated in to teacher talk when discussing a change to any part of what we consider our normal existence.
"Do I really have to use instructional strategies that work?"
"Why am I having to try this new thing? My kids score fine on ITBS."
"How long are we going to have to try this new math program?"
The approach by administrators and teacher colleagues to these resistant educators needs to come from understanding this resistance to change. Hopefully we have built strong relationships with these educators through quality interaction and allowing faculty and staff the opportunity to have a voice in important policies and procedures. Hopefully we have demonstrated to these individuals that we are committed to doing the right work for kids even though it isn't always fun and easy. Hopefully we have been excellent communicators about the change initiative and its importance.
One of the easiest ways to make sure all educators are on the same page is to have had the important discussion surrounding mission, vision, values, and goals for the building/district. When we have collaborated as an entire faculty/staff, rather than a select committee, on these four pillars: mission, vision, values, and goals...we can point to each one and explain how the proposed change falls in line with a commitment to our guiding philosophy for a strong instructional program as stated in each pillar. Will this make the change easier? Not always. However, it gives you a reference point and allows you to remind your colleague that they signed on to this commitment.
In regard to the complaint, "How am I supposed to do anything? They have to fund it before we can do anything?" Seriously?! When has education ever been fully funded? When have educators been given gold plated teacher's editions? I understand that technology means different things for different people. I teach students in a classroom where each kid has a laptop. It is awesome! It opens so many doors. However, when I taught in a classroom with workbooks and a dry erase board, I would like to say that I was still effective. It is a matter of doing what you know is right for kids in any situation and using the resources that, rough as it sometimes, come from your own contributions. If we play the blame game and cite it as our chief reason for not using best practices, the only person left to blame will be ourselves.
So quite simply I have a request...If you aren't going to try, if you are not going to be a lifelong learner, if you aren't in it for the kids and helping them be more prepared and more successful when they leave your classroom, please consider leaving what I believe to be the most important profession. Education is going to change. It isn't going to be honey and roses all the time. There might be setbacks and struggles. However, if you are willing to try, if you are willing to acknowledge that we can learn from each other and be better, I will work with you every single day to reinforce each other in our commitment to doing what is right. After all, I'm not a complete jerk!
Coming up...first and second order change and the reasons we need to be on our game when it comes to leading such changes.
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