reflection
The distributive leadership model being implemented at Thomas Jefferson High School next fall stands a great chance for success. Our chances lie in the strong leadership already in place at the school and the district's commitment to the model. As part of my degree program at CSU-Global, I have been working on this change plan as well as have completed the class on coaching. My administration recognizes the skills and knowledge I am bringing to this change effort and have given me the opportunity to lead our team as we implement the model. This spring, I have worked with the two other Senior Team Leads and the administration in leading a professional development centered on Elena Aguilar's seminal work, The Art of Coaching. Together we are developing systems at Thomas Jefferson that will support a strong coaching model. The three administrators are excited about the book and see it as a common touchstone we can all use. The other Senior Team Leads will be working with a similar group as me and we are excited to continue to meet together throughout the year to make adjustments and modifications to the system. I believe our team is strong and will be able to lead the rest of the school as the model is scaled up over the next few years.
Knowing whether the model is successful or not will in a large part depend on how the teachers at the end of the day feel. It is a difficult process, and in the end, the success will be judged on whether those being coached feel that the process is fair and that it helped them to grow their practice. If they perceive this system to be just another "gotcha" system that is not interested in quality feedback and growth, then it will create resentment and divide departments. This cannot be the case as the Senior Team Lead is first and foremost a practicing teacher.
The district has a bad tendency of taking a good idea and ruining it through poor implementation. It is my hope that through a strong intentionality in the initial role out of the new system that at Thomas Jefferson we can overcome the hurdles that await us. Sustaining the change will require a concerted commitment to reflective practice and adherence to change management theory. By creating a plan based on the Concerns Based Adoption Model, there are many checkpoints along the way which will ensure a successful transition and a sustained change.
What will you do with the information you learned in class? Will you actually attempt to implement your change plan?
Going through this course, I quickly saw that moving individuals through a major change is an intensive process, but one which can be navigated through. Reading through the course textbook and accompanying materials, I learned that the best approach for managing change is one that is based in understanding of the individual and his reactions to change. Through that understanding, potential roadblocks can be anticipated and interventions put into place long before the change is completely derailed. These are the most impactful takeaways from the class and ones which I will utilize throughout this project in the coming year.
Knowing whether the model is successful or not will in a large part depend on how the teachers at the end of the day feel. It is a difficult process, and in the end, the success will be judged on whether those being coached feel that the process is fair and that it helped them to grow their practice. If they perceive this system to be just another "gotcha" system that is not interested in quality feedback and growth, then it will create resentment and divide departments. This cannot be the case as the Senior Team Lead is first and foremost a practicing teacher.
The district has a bad tendency of taking a good idea and ruining it through poor implementation. It is my hope that through a strong intentionality in the initial role out of the new system that at Thomas Jefferson we can overcome the hurdles that await us. Sustaining the change will require a concerted commitment to reflective practice and adherence to change management theory. By creating a plan based on the Concerns Based Adoption Model, there are many checkpoints along the way which will ensure a successful transition and a sustained change.
What will you do with the information you learned in class? Will you actually attempt to implement your change plan?
Going through this course, I quickly saw that moving individuals through a major change is an intensive process, but one which can be navigated through. Reading through the course textbook and accompanying materials, I learned that the best approach for managing change is one that is based in understanding of the individual and his reactions to change. Through that understanding, potential roadblocks can be anticipated and interventions put into place long before the change is completely derailed. These are the most impactful takeaways from the class and ones which I will utilize throughout this project in the coming year.