Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions

A fable? About penguins? A fable is a way to make a serious and confusing topic clear and approachable while motivating all ages! “Handle the challenge of change well, and you can prosper greatly. Handle it poorly, and you put yourself and others at risk.” This is the story of a group of penguins who got it right!

So…once upon a time There was a colony of penguins living in Antarctica on an iceberg. The iceberg had been there for many years and was surrounded by a sea rich in food. There were huge walls that gave protection from the snow. They had always lived there…life was good. Life was perfect. And everyone was happy…until it was time to make a change.

What’s our iceberg? As we listen to this fable we want you to keep our iceberg in mind. We are embarking on an exciting shift…we need a new iceberg. Our iceberg is melting. Turn to a partner and chat about what you believe is our iceberg. Our iceberg as we implement the new Washington State Learning Standards

A shift to personalized learning… Creating a sense of urgency within myself…so I can contribute to the larger shift? How can I personally enhance my leadership skills so that I can be a part of the culture shift that needs to take place?

As we learn about our penguins, keep the following question in mind: Which one do you feel most represents you? Can you find pieces of yourself in more than one? As we all learn the fable listen to how the character most like you adapts, hinders, or contributes to the change initiative.

Think about what role you will play as we embark on our new iceberg Think about what role you will play as we embark on our new iceberg. https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=IQLabCoCjhg

Meet the Penguins FRED – unusually observant, curious, creative, younger, level-headed NONO – one of the colony leaders and a negative influencer who keeps trying to poke holes in Fred’s theory ALICE – one of the leaders of the colony, a practical and tough bird, aggressive, makes things happen, doesn’t care about status and treats everyone the same, impossible to intimidate, smart (but not intellectual heavyweight) THE PROFESSOR – intellectual influencer, logical, well read, fascinated by interesting questions, not the most social of birds LOUIS – formal colony leader, well-respected yet conservative BUDDY – well liked and trusted but not very powerful, not the slightest ambitious, relates well with the average bird SCOUT AND SALLY ANN – helpful and excited to be part of the change

When were you one of these guys? Turn to your partner and chat about a time you can relate to one of these characters…

Think about what role you will play as we embark on our new iceberg Think about what role you will play as we embark on our new iceberg. https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=IQLabCoCjhg

Creating a Sense of URGENCY The students in our classrooms learn and process information differently than students we taught previously. We have to change the way we lead teachers in order for our students to be successful.

What is a 20th century learner? With your table and using the graphic organizer provided… Write down in the left column what you would consider to be 5 characteristics of a 20th century learner?

What is a 21st century learner? With your table and using the graphic organizer provided… Write down in the right column what you would consider to be 5 characteristics of a 21st century learner.

Let’s see what research says about the differences in learners from the 20th century to the ones we have today.

20th Century Paradigm Individual Assessment focused Mainly summative assessment with some formative elements Content with some process Just in case learning Numerical criteria Lower level bloom’s Teacher centered Learning ABOUT technology

21st Century Paradigms Collaborative Differentiated Formative with summative Higher level blooms Criteria based assessment Problem solving/inquiry based Student centered Learning THROUGH technology Process and outcome focused

Pulling it all together… Using your graphic organizer, identify at least three instructional shifts that MUST occur knowing what we do about 21st century learners. Each person should identify those shifts…then as a table identify the 5 most powerful shifts you feel should occur. Share!

Eight Step Process of Successful Change SET THE STAGE MAKE IT HAPPEN Create a sense of urgency 4. Communicate for understanding and buy-in Pull together the guiding team 5. Empower others to act DECIDE WHAT TO DO 6. Produce short-term wins 3. Develop the change vision and strategy 7. Don’t let up MAKE IT STICK 8. Create a new culture

Decide What to Do Develop the Change Vision and Strategy Clarify how teachers will be different from the past and how you can make the future a reality.

Make it Happen Communicate for Understanding and Buy-in Make sure as many others as possible understand and accept the vision and the strategy.

Make it Happen Empower Others to Act Remove as many barriers as possible so that those who want to make the vision a reality can do so.

Make it Happen Produce Short-Term Wins Create some visible, unambiguous successes as soon as possible.

Make it Happen Don’t Let Up Press harder and faster after the first successes. Be relentless with initiating change after the vision is a reality.

Make it Stick Create a New Culture Hold on to the new ways of behaving, and make sure they succeed, until they become strong enough to replace old traditions.

Implications for Your Organization Follow the 8 steps: What is the most challenging for you? Create a sense of urgency Pull together the guiding team Develop the change vision and strategy Communicate for understanding and buy-in Empower others to act Produce short-term wins Don’t let up Create a new culture Dealing with a Nono in your organization

Interested? Apply to be a Fellow 2nd week in April - Applications open http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculuminstruct/Fellows.aspx Mid May – Applications close End of May/Beginning of June - Notifications Returning Fellows will need to complete an application so we know they are continuing as a Fellow for 2016-17. Assurances must be signed by both a principal (if the Fellow is a teacher) and district administrator Visit our webpage for more information about the Fellows – Application information will be available in April. hthhtttp://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/Fellows.aspx Anne http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/Fellows.aspx

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