Last year my building implemented the RTI initiative so I related quite well to the article "On the Frontier of School Reform with Trailblazers, Pioneers, and Settlers" by Phillip C. Schlechty. As I read this piece, I had a rather fun time mentally assigning roles to some of the members of our building staff! It was actually reassuring to know that our staff reaction was normal - some climbed on board willingly, some sought more information and assurances, and others cemented their feet firmly to the ground.
That was on a small scale compared to, for instance, the reformation of our schools' math pedagogy by promoting a BIG change in our thinking about the way of we teach math . We will all have to determine our roles in this venture. Thank goodness Trailblazer Maggie will be here for us all year to forge the way, keep us on the right path, and encourage us to stay the course. I'm up for the challenge. Anyone else?
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4 comments:
Hmmmm. I wonder where you classified me?
J :-)
I was thinking the same thing, classifying colleagues. But I wonder where we would put those who say "been there, done that" Those are colleagues who have seen reform attempts come and go because they were not be very effective and perhaps not very relevant. I can understand why people get somewhat cynical, following initiatives like local assessments, etc--so much work goes into these projects and then they are tossed out. Maybe I'm being somewhat of a pollyana, but maybe with the kind of relevant ideas, strategies and activities we have done this week, we can help our colleagues change the way they think about and teach math.
I could relate when reading this article and I was asking myself two questions. Why can I relate and why is Maggie having us read this article? The answer to the second question I think is quite simple, how will I change as a teacher. As for myself I will have to take more time, new thinking, new language more creativity to break out of the way I teach math.
Why can I relate, first is my prior knowledge of pioneers! It also made me think of how I would change as a teacher (Ed. Tech). I am also up for the challenge.
I just want to add I could rule out 3 roles leaving Pioneer and Settler and I am wondering which I will fit into.
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