1. Fostering a Climate of Innovation in Middle Schools
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
Eleanor Roosevelt

3. Share an initiative (completed or in progress): Give a brief description on the index card.

4. What is anticipated that participants will take away?
New or consolidated perspective on strategizing change initiatives and continuous improvement
How?
By considering our specific change initiatives through the lens of the “The 8 Stage Change Process” from John Kotter’s Leading Change
“Don’t innovate just for the sake of innovation. Stay relevant.”
Ed Zore, CEO Northwestern Mutual

5. Sample Initiative as Backdrop:
Focused Job Alike
Learning from the experience in the room, using one change model as a framework
Sample Initiative as Backdrop:
Ensuring that the focus of One to One program is on student learning
We will go over the 8 Stages, but will drill down in a few areas with discussion questions

6. 8 Stage Overview
Using the initiative you identified earlier consider the 8 stages evaluation tool and then discuss with your group :
How the change process you utilized corresponded to the 8 stages.
Do you recognize stages you used as you worked through the change?
Where do you feel you were most successful?

7. Complacency ~ (Non)-Linearity
Busyness/factor-time
Identity
Adversity to risk
Professionalism
Change is not linear
"There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom.”
Robert Miliham, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923

8. Establishing a Sense of Urgency
Strategic Plan
Honest talk
Status of implementation
21st century skills
Significant concerns coming from stake holder
Program in place; we found ourselves needing to justify and utilize the resource
Harness the potential and manage the pitfalls
"The horse is here today, but the automobile is only a novelty - a fad.”
President of Michigan Savings Bank advising against investing in the Ford Motor Company

9. Creating Urgency in Schools
Discussion Questions:
Considering some of the initiatives in your discussion group, was there a sense of urgency around the change?
Generate ideas for how to create urgency in schools?

10. Creating the Guiding Coalition
School Level
Leadership Team
Tech Leadership Team
Divisional Level
Principal
Tech Director
Tech Coordinator
Teacher
"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?”
Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros Pictures, 1927

11. Discussion
What are the general types of guiding coalitions we are using in our schools for continuous improvement initiatives?
What are the criteria each of us use to develop a guiding coalition?
Do our individual guiding coalitions have sufficient authority to implement change?

12. Developing a Vision and Strategy
We envision a world where technology empowers students to pursue dreams, where meaningful uses of integrated technology inspires students to develop critical thinking skills and supports continuous inquiry. This is a world where students understand and model respectful, responsible, and ethical uses of technology in both social and personal contexts.
Integration Tech Plan – Shared Vision
Discussion about ASB’s Vision – last 2 years
Had a vision that did not include Tech integration
New vision by Ed Tech Team supporting the school mission
TLT formed and vision is supported
Our vision articulated change for use therefore has moved to innovate
Considers creating a vision and developing strategies for achieving that vision
Vision refers to a picture of the future with some implicit or explicit commentary on why people should strive to create that future.
A good vision serves 3 important purposes:
1. It simplifies hundreds or thousands of more detailed decisions
2. Motivates people to take action in the right direction
3. Helps coordinate the actions of different people in a fast and efficient way
If you can not describe your vision to someone in five minutes and get their interest, you have more work to do in this phase of the transformation process.
Creating an effective vision
First draft – sometimes starts with a single individual
Role of the guiding coalition – group of people spend time going over the draft
Importance of teamwork
Role of the head and heart
Messiness of the process
Time frame
End product
How does vision fit in with innovation? If you do not have a good vision around integration of technology then it will be hard to get teachers
"Heavier than air flying machines are impossible.”
Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society, 1895

13. Communicating the Change Vision
Simplicity
Multiple forms of communication
Give and take
Leadership by example
Story to tell – Our struggle was that we did not know what this was all about besides – “Paperless Environment” -
Communicated using every vehicle possible, and the guiding coalition must model the behavior expected of employees
Communicate, communicate, communicate
"Ruth made a big mistake when he gave up pitching.”
Tris Speaker, MLB Hall of Famer, 1921

14. Discussion
Our schools have mission and/or vision statements, which give us direction . What do we do to set clear visions regarding specific initiatives or change within our Middle Schools?
What are the ways we can and do continually communicate the change vision?

15. Empowering Broad-Based Action
Anywhere, Anytime tool
Infrastructure reliability
Professional development
Small group scheduled meetings, purposeful meeting
Running an international conference
"Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote.”
Grover Cleveland, US President, 1905

16. Generating Short-Term Wins
Sharing innovative ideas for using technology
Responsibility among students
DYKNOW
Reliable resources
“You ought to be able to show that you can do it a great deal better…with the regular tools before you have a license to bring in your own improvement.” Ernest Hemingway

17. Consolidating Gains and Producing More Change
Changes to Come
Developing Roles/Positions
MS Blog
Dispersed Leadership
"Video won't be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night.”
Daryl F. Zanuck, 20th Century Fox, commenting on television in 1946

18. Anchoring New Approaches in the Culture
How have our actions changed?
To what extent have these actions changed our culture?
“Patience is a virtue.” Anonymous, timeless…

19. Reflection-Share-Q&A