Change can be scary.
Every year, the teachers in our building not-so patiently await the meeting where we discuss how many kids our building we will have. We talk about if we need more or less staff. We talk about district changes, schedules, expectations, and the list goes on.
Today, we were introduced to a massive change in scheduling that will effect the way that we teach- we are going from a Middle School with 44-minute classes all day to a middle school with block scheduling. We have been asking for this for at least 10-years.
So there was celebration. Well...no. There was curiosity. Very very quiet curiosity. No excitement. Just people wondering what it all means to them.
This is wonderful for our students, without a doubt!
This is truly wonderful for staff.
It is the change that created the stupor over our staff this afternoon. Everyone turned into Zombies.
I am sure there will be talk tomorrow. Questions, rumors, and concerns.
The reality is, teachers take their ownership of their work and their control over what they do very seriously. They all just need to let it sink in and feel what it means to them...to get that sense of control of the situation back.
As far as I am concerned. Change is scary, but without change- we get stale. We get complacent. We DO NOT grow.
The WIN? It will be best for kids. That is really what matters most.
Be Mindful.
Peace.
Mark Levine
#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites
Change is tough. But NECESSARY. I can't wait to read about this as you work through the details
ReplyDeleteBlock scheduling has been discussed, debated, and tossed around at my school too. But we still have 48 minute periods. Hope your colleagues have open minds about this change. I once had a human resource director from my previous career say that the only one who liked change was a baby!
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