1. BEING AN EFFECTIVE CHANGE AGENT: WHAT DOES IT TAKE? Steve Schenck Center on Innovation and Improvement

2. The Necessary First Step: Build Trust Early on, change agents will… …scan the learning environment …keep their mouth closed, mostly, and LISTEN …build relationships with those who impact student learning

3. The Necessary First Step: Build Trust Early on change agents will… …arrive on-site earlier and leave later than school and/or district staff …model a strong, professional work ethic to the staff (walk the walk) …plan quick, authentic wins

4. Embrace the Negative  This may seem counterintuitive  This will, at first, feel uncomfortable  Do not burn one bridge  Choose no side (or appear so)

5. More of the Counterintuitive  The right thing…

6. More of the Counterintuitive  …at the wrong time…

7. More of the Counterintuitive  …is the wrong thing!

8. Build and Maintain One’s Circle of Strength  Someone MUST be the calm, civil, professional adult, even in the most dysfunctional environments  Someone must find the time and discipline to be reflective and forward thinking

9. Take Risks  Create and control disequilibrium in the organization, be it school, district, SEA or RCC  If no one in the organization is feeling really uncomfortable, a change agent or transformational leader is not doing their job. (Tears required)

10. Why? In low-performing schools… …teachers are inexperienced and/or weak. …leaders are inexperienced and/or weak. …the kids need change agents to intervene on their blessed behalf.

11. If you want to find yourself… …lose yourself in service to others. Thank You