100 word response 1 reference/intext citation Due 2/23/2024
Two top ideas/concepts I learned in this course and how they changed my thinking.
The first top concept that I learned in this course is the five disciplines, personal mastery, shared vision, mental models, team learning and systems thinking. (Senge, 2012) They changed my thinking because they all have value in working towards becoming a learning school. If I want to be an effective leader, it would behoove me to practice these disciplines.
The second top concept that I learned in this course is intelligent behaviors, “persisting, managing impulsivity, listening with understanding and empathy, thinking flexibility, metacognition, striving for accuracy and precision, questioning and problem posing, drawing on past knowledge and experiences, creating, innovating, originating, thinking and communicating with clarity and precision, gathering data through all the senses, displaying a sense of humor, responding with wonderment and awe, thinking interdependently, taking responsible risks, and learning continuously.” (Senge, 2012) It changed my thinking because it was a reminder that there are ways that can show intelligence that may be out of the way that we typically think.
The one thing I learned about managing change that surprised me the most.
The “ladder of inference” (Senge, 2012) I have found myself climbing that ladder more times than I care to think about. Senge (2012) says that “We live in a world of self-generating beliefs that remain largely untested. Our ability to achieve the results we truly desire is eroded by our feelings that: our beliefs are the truth, the truth is obvious, our beliefs as based on real data, and the data we selected is the real data.” (Senge, 2012) This way of thinking affects us in all areas of our lives. Particularity in education with students and with teachers.
My AHA moment, and why?
In chapter four Senge (2012) talks about the “dignity of the child” (Senge, 2012) “As people concerned with school, we need to step back and reflect on the meaning of the dignity of the child.” (Senge, 2012) When we label kids as “good kids, bad kids, low, high and disturbed” we are not honoring their dignity. Sometimes we use these labels with great intentions but we need to take the time to acknowledge all the good they have in addition to their challenges.
How will I specifically apply what I learned in this course to my current work in education.
Well, one way that I am using the information I learned in this course, is creating a new vision with the teachers at my school, one that will motivate all. Another way, I have shared the ladder of inference to several people in my school and we refer to it frequently.
The key concepts of being a change agent that I recognize I have and I will continue to improve upon.
The five disciplines (Senge, 2012) is an area that I recognize I have and I will continue to improve upon them. Personal mastery is a lifelong process that leads me to change, my goal and how I achieve my goals. Vision, I have a personal vision and I want to share that with my colleagues so they can create one of their own. I practice reflection and I think about how I’m thinking. I like to learn as a team and when I think of my school I am beginning to think of the entire system.
The key concept of managing change that I learned for the first time but will seek to develop more in the future.
The concept of education being political, the article by Ross Brenneman, it gave me a different perspective. To be honest I have known this for a while but to have it acknowledged in class is something different. To be encouraged to be political as well is new and I will seek to develop it more.
What I enjoyed most about this course.
Surprisingly I enjoyed the reflections. I didn’t think I would but it made me organize my learning.
My biggest challenge in understanding change management in education and why.
Systems thinking was new to me, well that terminology, I did have to read it a couple of times to fully understand but I’ve got it now. Another thing I found challenging was the advocacy paper. The entire process was completely new to me. Writing papers aren’t usually a challenge but this one was. I can’t say that I am completely comfortable with it now, but I have a better grasp of the concept.
