This week we completed a chart explaing a change we took part in. I thought it was interesting to go through something like that and really break the change down into small steps. The change we started at my school was to revamp our sixth grade schedule. Change is not always going to make everyone happy we need to be very political as teachers to be able to make changes and not irritate other teachers. In our case, three out of four us wanted a new schedule but one did not. Once we had a meeting and discussed that it would be better for student learning, we were finally able to convince the other teacher to go along with it. There was a period of resentment that lasted for a few weeks but then it was over and change was accepted.
I think we are all resistant to change. At first we fear change until we fully understand the details of that change. For example, I have been teaching 6th grade here at TJ for the last 5 years and just last week, I was asked to move to the 8th grade. I went through all the emotions that we all go through when dealing with change and now I am totally open to it. We can look at change as something to fear or as opportunities to grow.
2 comments:
It is interesting that it becomes easier to accept change when you can focus it on student improvement. Your personal change will become easier to accept as you can focus on the positives for you personally and professionally. Good luck with the change 6th - 8th so different yet so similar.
Change is so hard. It's a difficult fact of life, but it seems to be even more difficult for teachers. I'm glad everything worked out well for your schedule change. It's not easy to get people on board. Good luck with your move to 8th grade!
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