A view from the edge - a view of future creativity! And a call for action!
Today a series of stories/narratives with a message.
All learning is an unfolding narrative There are messages to be picked up from every action and experience. Are we making them positive or worthwhile? You already know some of the answers but what are you doing about them? I hope today some of my stories will unsettle you as well as amuse and maybe start the beginning of some new stories about your school?
The importance for all (individuals, groups, cultures) of voice, beliefs, identity and pride -but where will students put their allegiance - the school or the gang? The choice is ours if we are creative and not responsive.
All our lives are stories with messages to share. What is your story or the message of your school?
Do you now - does anybody know? What do your teachers believe? Your students? Parents? You ought to? How do the students see your teaching? What are you doing to improve their perception? What new ideas have you tries this year? We want a school full of collaborative ideas generators and sharers - 'all for one and one for all!'
What have I learnt during my career - messages I want to share.
- Adviser in Art -the importance of quality, the creative process, persistence and the messy nature of creativity!
- As an Adviser in Science - the 'thinking process'( that students create their own meanings), importance of environmental awareness, and the under-utilised power of personal interest. The power of interest rather than curriculum.
- As a teacher what was the story of my class? That it was an emotional experience and a joyful journey of shared learning A bit like my life!
- As a Principal 86-92? The principal's role is to create a powerful future image of the school , to create conditions to empower teachers and to 'Keep the herd roughly pointed west!'
- As an adviser? We all need some 'heretical blood' and a critical frame of mind. We need a new alternative to the imposed rational curriculums which are stifling teacher creativity.
What metaphor do you have about yourself?
Are you an explorer? A risk taker? A critic? A play it safe person? Are you in control of your own destiny or limited by forces outside your control? Once again this applies to students. A 'do-er' or a 'blamer'! A creator or a reactor/responder. Together we can do anything!!
The biggest story that limits our thinking is the way we interpret our world.
The big story has moved from flat earth to the earth at the centre; from a predictable to an ever-unfolding universe. The stories you believes shapes your view of life! And your students. If you believe schools could make a real difference what would have to change?
Two organisational models, metaphors, or stories, fight it out today.
- The mechanical rational (everything can be measured) of Newton et all.
- A new paradigm - the age of apparent chaos, unpredictability, patterns and relationships.
Modern and post-modern.
Management a la Henry Ford v shared beliefs/leadership a la John Dewey
A control male orientated environment v a creative environment based on trust and shared beliefs. Do something and improve - continually. Not plan and implement.
'Railway line thinking' (linear/predicable) v 'spaghetti' ('Thriving on Chaos').
One relates to the past, the other to the future.
Linear planned predicable world v the anarchy of the world-wide web.
Which controls your thinking? The challenge is how to thrive in a messy world?
Shared Vision is vital.
Currently teachers are to busy 'burnt-out', stressed , overload to see the big picture.- there must be a better story than the current model to enable 'us' to get back to enjoying teaching?
How do people thrive in times of chaos/confusion?
The importance of shared vision, values and beliefs. Think of Christopher Columbus - greatest 'lost man' who didn't have shared vision!
What is your school's 'Holy Grail'?
It must be more than the current linear curriculums and the hundred clear folders of policies etc many school have!
Once on your mythic journey - there are 'taniwhas' that blocks your path to your 'Holy Grail' - that is if you have the courage to leave the shore?
- Curriculum Overload. Where did it come from? The KFC Curriculum. 'Stuffed' in both senses! A bad case of CBH - 'cart before the horse'. We need the 'Haiku' curriculum - simple and deep. Depth not coverage. Integrate. Teach thinking. Focussed teaching - achieve your goals. Clarify your teaching strategies - I could help you!
- Assessment 'Frenzies' - death by assessment confusion! New NAGS help. Fewer thing well.
- Compliance, Bureaucracy and the Paper war - often self-inflicted. Clarify what important and say no! Avoid the 'anticipatory dread' of an ERO visit and the 'corrosion of Character' - by believing in your shared vision! Remember the two ERO questions! Quality learning will win out!
- Self doubt and fear - uncertainty is forever but a strong shared vision will provide courage
We now know enough that no one need fail if we change our minds first!
We need a More Informed Vision of Education that combines the best of primary child centred and secondary depth and rigour.
What strategies do you currently use? Your individual and combined strategies and beliefs are the key to your school's success. What five core teaching beliefs underpin all your teaching - and are they in your PMS system? How aligned are you as staff? How would you know? Or are you stuck in separate isolated compartments as if in the industrial 19th C?
What do you know of how to teach thinking across the curriculum?
Of de Bono and Art Costa ? Of Howard Gardner and Multiple Intelligences? About School for Talent development ( Renzulli)? Of integrating Technology across the curriculum based on problem centred integrated challenges? Action learning?
Of constructivist teaching? Self assessment by student around negotiated criteria? Developing individual student portfolios of achievement?
Of doing fewer things well - depth not coverage?
These would be on my school change agenda for the future.
A few final points
- Leadership will required - but 'vision led' not 'heroic'! Work out the beliefs you will hold yourself to give direction and courage. Provide the conditions - restructure the school. Work as a team. It can be done - if there is both will and skill! Ban negativity- lead, follow or get out of the way!
- Teamwork - it's all or nothing! Need alignment and self-reference against shared beliefs. Put to one side past assumptions - research new ways to teach and learn.
- Accept Change - but understand the process. It always gets worse before it gets better. Celebrate every small success. Change is a journey of a 1000 days! There are three kinds of people - or are you an explorer, pioneer or a settler! What is your 'Holy Grail'?
Education is about giving students Visas for their Future Passport - about 'future proofing'. They face an uncertain but exciting future but if they are equipped with the right 'stories' they will thrive. They were 'fully equipped' at two! What has happened to them on their journey to give them faulty self messages? How do they 'see' themselves and their schools and subjects?
We need a new image of schooling, new myths, we need to reinvent ourselves as well as our perhaps our schools! If we don't act now our stories will be history.
Its all about commitment, courage, collaboration and co-operation - shared stories are best! Not compliance, control and conformity. We can if we choose contribute to the creation a true democratic learning community.
Well that's my vision. How real it is is over to you.
Kia Kaha