As part of the course - EEA 532: Instructional Leadership: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment our class has been asked to reflect on the following three questions:
Over the last week I have had the opportunity to engage in conversations with a number of leaders within our school division as well as a number from other parts of the province, country and even the world. There has been significant talk about the potential of the curriculum redesign as well as concern over the uncertainty over its implementation. Additionally there is a great deal of speculation around exactly what the content of the new curriculum might be. As educators we know that change is the one true constant, but making lasting, meaningful change is both essential and extremely challenging. Our division will need to make the provision of support for teachers, through what is expected to be a significant shift in how some teachers instruct, a focus both financially and educationally. Once the new curriculum is available, it will be imperative that leaders at a number of levels are able to spend the time necessary to become extremely familiar with the content. There will be the need for support to be woven throughout the multiple levels of leadership within the division. As instructional leaders our central office and school based administrators will need to provide time for teachers to build upon their comprehension and assist in building capacity so that they are competent and confident through the pedagogical transformation that will be required. Not only will professional development days need a focus on collaboration and supporting each other, but money will need to be available so that additional in-service or training will be accessible in the areas of project-based learning (PBL) and integrated instructional design. As Simon Breakspear stated at the ULead 2018 conference, we must take our time to understand what change is needed, so that in the end students learn more efficiently: go slow to go fast. It will be important to leverage those people who already are using PBL as leaders within their own learning community. Once there is clarity about the curriculum, teachers will need to focus on their depth of understanding of the learning goals and be open to changing their pedagogical practices. Our site-based leaders will need to host multiple informational sessions for parents and community members to help promote and develop understanding about the need for the curriculum change as well as how it will benefit the students. Change can be scary for many and while most students are accepting of change, we will need to engage both parental and community support and involvement to fully explore the in-depth critical thinking skills and other competencies so that our students experience success with the new direction in curriculum. I love change and as a result this feels like a very exciting time to be an educator. My role will be to model enthusiasm and willingness to change in order to help others see the positive in our continued learning. I have been trained in PBL and will offer to work with my peers to support their progress while I continue to learn from them as well. I am excited to see how these changes will build the community of learners within our schools.
5 Comments
Rolanda Eadie
22/4/2018 08:14:19 pm
Hi Shelley,
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Shelly Treleaven
13/6/2018 12:40:47 pm
As an administrator did you have trouble getting buy in from your staff at PD Days? I find there are always a few that sit at the back the are off task and not actively participating in any of the learning.
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Melissa
9/5/2018 11:20:36 am
Very well written and I like the cartoon that you added too. It is interesting to me that you are so positive towards change. Do you think that is because you are optimistic that the change will be good? A lot of people are resistant to change because of the effort required to do it properly. Do you think there is a risk that the change will not work out because we don't have the time and resources required? Or do you think the change is positive enough to surpass these limitations?
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Shelly Treleaven
14/5/2018 09:01:28 pm
I love change, in fact if it doesn't find me ... I go in search :)
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Gwen
9/6/2018 05:47:42 pm
Your positive attitude about change is refreshing! Since it is inevitable, why not embrace it? I wonder how education in general might look like if everyone shared your enthusiasm...it certainly could make one classroom look different. I'm thankful we have teachers with your outlook. I especially like how you stated you go looking for change! Good idea! Leave a Reply. |
Shelly TreleavenLearning starts with a question and I am full of them :) Archives
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