The Fear of Failure Inhibiting Change.

After viewing an educational video from 1940, I was amazing to hear that the same "hot words" we hear today to introduce and promote new educational practices, were also used then. It sounds like we should have achieved this level of innovation by now and our schools should be producing geniuses by the hundreds. So, why are we still struggling and what is in the way of innovation?

What hasn't changed is what we want for our students. We want them to have qualified, passionate, patient, caring, and dedicated teachers who love their jobs. We have always wanted our students to be free thinkers and be equipped to face the future. We want them to have an active learning environment that fits each of their needs.

We can first take a look at the instruction and classroom environment itself. Teachers don't want to fail. Administrators don't want their schools to fail, either. It is easy to evaluate the success of a program if there is tons of data, which means teachers will be micromanaged. Failing scores mean failure. For teachers, failure is also looking disorganized, computer illiterate, and/or loosing student engagement because the new thing they tried didn't workout for THEM. Trying something new is a risk and everyone has a reputation to uphold. So it is easy to err on the side of caution by doing what HAS worked.

Education is driven by the most fearless educators and maybe the ones who were lucky enough to be supported while they broke the mold.

I need to be clear about about my feelings regarding my veteran colleagues. They are legends, really. I admire them and have soaked up their words like liquid gold. I enjoy their horror stories about the crazy things that happened, but I especially wanted to know the secret behind the happiness they felt in the classroom. I want to be like them when I grow up. I want to smile from the time I step into my classroom until I leave, and still have enough joy left over. This does exist. This joy is a secret to a progressive movement in education. Maybe not all their practices are old-fashioned.

To propose a movement of change education, I would consider two things:

1. Change requires inspiration through "evangelization". Being an example for colleagues is powerful and makes ideas more authentic. Who ever is willing to try it out, will do so because of trust. Make changes easy enough for anyone to use. Any ounce of judgment will not only scare prospective "revolutionaries", it will tarnish your name.

2. Learn why veteran teachers love the "old stuff". Spiral in "new stuff" with "old stuff". If the benefits of helping the kids outweighs the struggle, then it might not be so bad. Don't attempt to strip their style because you are blinded by idealistic passion. Remember they love the kids and still want what is best for them.This has never changed

Genuine interest in student learning, some passion, sprinkled with some modernism and a mild changing perspective together can provide a well-rounded education producing global thinkers.

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