Change is inevitable. We are met with small changes everyday and some of us with large, life altering changes. I am reading a great book right now, The New Meaning of Educational Change, by Michael Fullan. Fullan deals with, obviously, the subject of change, but not just within education. Fullan addresses the question of why change sometimes works, and sometimes falls flat.
A concept that Fullan mentions that really hit home for me is the idea of emotional buy in. Often when we present a new idea, or a change, to our students, parents, staff members or administration, it is something that we have been thinking about for quite awhile. Or, at least, we have had the time to process the positives and the negatives of our new idea. Typically, we come in, enthusiastically, with our great new idea, and expect our listeners to be as equally excited once we share our brilliance. Those listeners that love new ideas may embrace ours, but others that tend to be more methodical or traditional may need some time to process.
In education today, teachers are bombarded with “great new ideas that will change the way students learn”...for the better of course! Personally, I often enthusiastically grab those new ideas, run with them, and assume that everyone else is on board. I mean, haven’t they read the research that I have? Well, no, they haven’t, and dependent upon their interest, they may never. I have realized that as an agent of change, it is important to come alongside my community and give them opportunities to experience the positive implications of the proposed change. This is when you have the opportunity to develop buy in. Often participating in the change will lead to a clearer understanding than could have ever been achieved by discussion.
I am realizing more and more the importance of developing buy in with my students, parents, and peers... and most importantly, of being patient with the process!
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