Major shifts that should occur in today’s teaching and leaning practices are not as aloof or evasive as perhaps we have been made to believe. In class November 13, we discussed that we have been made aware of and known of what the challenges, concerns, obstacles, and issues are regarding education. The question was not what needs to be done; the question was what prevents it from occurring. That day we came to a consensus of sorts, putting shoe leather on what we know is the key to effecting change in our educational system. In short, develop a context for the change, find the courage to change, generate the energy to change and be relentless in the pursuit for change. In an article entitled, If We Love Our Children More Than We Love Our Schools, the System Must Change, authored by Dennis Littky his sentiments are as follows:
“If it can be done once, can it be done again? And again? Can it happen?
Yes. The real question is, will it happen? If the powers that control our
education system want it to happen, it will. If we can get to the moon,
we can make good schools that meet the needs of all kids. But the problems
and the solutions are bigger than simply duplicating a successful
model. “Scaling up”must be first about loving our children more than we
love our current education system and structures. Next, it must be about
providing choice for families and students. Then we can change and
improve the education system of a district, a city, a state, and the nation.”
In a nutshell cohort three, it can be done. KISD’s beloved or bemoaned Dr. Hawkins proved it. As result of his willingness to change, he co-developed the very first assignment we participated in for this course. In Creating a New Vision for Public Education in Texas: A Work in Progress for Conversation and Further Development, he and some likeminded colleagues has given us a rubric. Are we ready to further the conversation? Moreover, while cultivating visionary and systemic conversation are we ready to contextualize, conceptualize, canonize, and capitalize on the results of what we shall discover while we were in the light of brilliance that is born when hearts are meld together for one common purpose? Are we ready to initiate the findings, implement the change, iterate the purpose, and irritate the status quo? Perhaps we should call Dr. Hawkins and ask the questions, what compelled you to become involved in that project? Was it because you loved the kids more than the system? Where did you find the courage to put your lively hood on the line for what you believed? When did you decide that it was worth it? How did you decide that it was worth it? That being said, cohort three, my question to us is, whom do we love?
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Yes Renee, you are absolutely on the ball with Dr.Hawkins ideology in terms of making the firm transition in education by moving at the level of promoting the New Vision for Public Education in Texas. In Dr.Hawkins's vision,elaborate the opportunity that leadership failure to interject the deep emphasis on the quality of education to young students. By reading Born Digital by Palfrey (2008), mentioned that in a diverse and cultural learning environment there are few challeges that leadership faces and that is implementing changes in the education system. Prefarably, this opportunity in Dr.Hawkins's vision resonate clear message to our current leadership and to navigate the courses that are implemented.
ReplyDeleteDr. Hawkins sure sounds a lot like my former principal. The key word there is "former..." Why is it that, when a truly great leader begins to effect change, they pack up and leave? It's usually under the guise of "choice," but we all know that often it is the hidden forces that end up ejecting good leaders. A school district's tendency to maintain the "status quo" usually ends up short-changing the kids. Who do I love??? The kids. It's just that simple.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a boldness that neither acknowledges nor submits to man's authority to achieve this. I have participated in several conversations about why people do not step up or speak up about important issues. I have concluded that people are looking for a hero, that leader, who will say or do the things that they, themselves desire. There will never be another Ghandi,John F. Kennedy, or Martin Luther King, Jr., to step up and speak about the issues that concern us. They were mere mortals, who summoned up the courage and belief, to do as God instructed. We need to find the same courage and faith to do as God instructs us.It's very uncomfortable to be on that ledge by yourself, facing possible rejection, being misunderstood, facing retaliation, and ridicule. But as the good book says, "What does it profit a man to gain the world, and lose his soul." Just as Jesus did, I hope we will be able sacrifice our lives, as we know it, to save the souls of our children.
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