“The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases. Each of us carries our own life-plan, which cannot be superseded by any other.”
– Carl Jung

The change process has many steps … much research and many articles and books write about and describe the steps in the process. In “real life” and in practice, changes increase the tension in the proverbial rubber band. The astute leader knows to pull/stretch/push to a point before breaking the band … In my current experiences, many changes have been presented, implemented, planned, and “digested” … now it is time to let the momentum continue, the changes set in, and allow for some breathing room. My aim is to reduce the pressure on the rubber band, hold steady with what seeds have been planted, and move from change to support. Support for new directions, support for new attitudes, support for new experiences, and support for new approaches. What is quite affirming is the degree of acceptance, the high degree of acceptance for the current reality. This new reality differs greatly from the reality once known at my school system. This reality allows for learning support in the classrooms. This reality allows for innovative approaches to instruction. This reality is wonderful, rewarding, and affirming to be part of.

Some ideas to ponder for Educational Reform/Transform:

Educational Reform – changing the way(s) in which we always do things in public schools…
A quick Top 10 list of what “needs to change”:
1. school year calendar …set for and aligned with “harvest” in many instances … since 19th Century or for “recreation for families” from the 20th Century – is it still relevant in the 21st Century?
2. school “bell schedule” – first of all, get rid of bells, second … why so rigid with organization
3. school “grade/age” configuration
4. deficit grading and judging and behavioral grades
5. sage on stage concept
6. organizationally oriented toward adults … the children are the main learners … what about them?
7. one size fits all for schools/communities … what about library-school partnerships?
8. pay to play … if you’re living in a wealthy area, good for you, your schools get more money … fair? Nope
9. increased pay just for hanging around … sorry – this concept never sat well with me … let’s revitalize the pay structure for adults (I support a system where we have accountability, performance, and incentives for growth, improvement and compensation)
10. state or national standards? state or national assessment? – whatever it is … let’s get consistent so if we measure, we measure growth and learning, and if we are held accountable, let’s make it apples to apples comparisons so “it” starts to make sense!

A video worthy of re-publishing and review:
Sir Ken Robinson, Changing Educational Paradigms: