I wonder how many of you were moved by the speakers in New Orleans? Each time I opened up to the complexities of life, let alone the job of educational leadership, I was astonished at how "simple" some made it sound. I have read, interviewed, and listened to Daniel Pink and I believe he epitomizes the face of change. It is a face, that some feel too seldom connects with the world of public education.
On the one hand, it is simple. I get it. I even like it. The world is changing and we MUST change to stay in the game.
On the other hand, we face parents within our communities that like to feel nostalgic when they walk into their child's classroom, fiscal constraints that expect us to "make bread without flour," and we want others to be the example - the role model (physically fit, effective conflict resolution skills, good communicator, caring, sensitive, always alert to others, seeks first to understand) do I need to go on?
IF you believe, and I do, in the world that Daniel Pink, Thomas Freidman, James Canton, and others are describing then you must admit that our schools need 21st century face lifts. Although I have never had the procedure, I am certain of one thing - it has to hurt. Just as we are moving into totally unchartered waters in public education - the process may well hurt.
One thing, however, is very clear to me - I need to be aware of what is coming so that I can lead from the side or front and not from behind the 8 ball. Show up to hear Daniel - the world he describes is our world...even if we don't live in DC.
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2 comments:
I too thought Daniel Pink's comments seemed on target. He seems to get what most of those representing business interests DON'T get. Topping international test scores is not necessarily the same thing as developing creative minds that can invent new and unique products and services. Our test mania is developing the whole mind.
Whoops - that last line should have read = Our test mania is NOT necessarily developing the entire mind.
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