Michael Fullan’s View on Change

    There have been many times in my life that I have been nervous for change. This is something that I know caused a great deal of anxiety in my life. One of the most recent changes that really rocked my boat was when we have a complete turn over of administration. The old administration was essentially asked to resign which left a sour taste in many peoples mouths as we tried to embrace the new smiling faces entering the building, as many of the faces leaving felt like family members to us. We all had some issues with the old administration, as none of them are perfect but I believe we had just gotten stuck in our ways of how to school was to be run based on their judgements. They had been the first administration I had worked with being a new teacher and they had taken me under their wing at the start of my professional career. I certainly did not feel comfortable with a few new faces walking in and running a building that they barley knew. 

    After a few times talking to the administration and starting to see their vision after the first few days of  inservice, I was starting to feel somewhat better, but still extremely nervous. Once the students started entering the building again, I started to notice a different feeling within the building. I was noticing that the principals were always outside of the office because they were out and working with students and faculty, both in and out of the classroom. They were also often meeting with leaders within our supervisory union in order to try and facilitate change and to collaborate with other principals within the Supervisory Union. As the school year progressed, and they had jumped through many of the beginning of the year issues, I started feeling better and even more supported by this administration. I have then continued to feel heard and that my voice and optional was important and crucial to the operation of our school building. 

    I think that I was able to get through this change and come out on the other end with a positive outlook is due to the roles that the new administration took when stepping into the building. They followed Michael Fullan’s three key points out very well. They were acting as a lead learner, system player and change advocate. They were also very transparent about every move they made so we felt as though it was a very collaborative culture within the school community. They have been able to help contribute to the overall good that the school has to offer as well as benefit from what other schools in our district have helped implement as well as what the teachers have been able to provide as supports. I am overall extremely thankful for the voice and opportunities that this administration has provided me in order to further my career in a way that feel authentic and productive.

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