Time to re-focus the 21C vision

When I was writing my last blog my eyes wandered to the profile I posted to accompany my blog. I wrote I couldn't wait to see what classrooms looked like in five years after all of our 21stC work. That caused me to pause and wonder if I was content with how far we had come and what we had accomplished. If you know me, you would know the answer was automatically no. Four years ago when I wrote that profile my mind was full of very "blue sky" visions and I was determined to make them happen.

When I met with my 21C teaching and learning steering committee I voiced my disappointment and suggested we needed to redefine our vision for moving forward to guide our work. One of the teachers on my committee responded to my comment with a resounding, "I disagree with you completely and here is why." He continued to describe in great detail, with enthusiasm shining on his face, about how he has changed as an educator in the past four years and how the educational experience he facilitates for his students has completely transformed. What an awesome reality check.

I think one of the most important things a leader must be able to do is listen to the people around them. Leaders aren't always right and leaders don't always have the right or best answer. Reflection is a powerful tool and a leader who doesn't reflect is going to be one of those folks on the bus to Abilene with no one else on the bus.

My 21C committee is very grassroots. There are some Superintendents on it, including me, but there are also teachers, IT resource staff, Instructional Coaches, Vice Principals, Principals, Department Heads and Curriculum Coordinators and we welcome new folks all the time. I facilitate the conversation as the committee lead but every voice on the committee has equal value.

We are going to re-visit our 21C teaching and learning vision. During the process my colleagues will make sure I take the time to celebrate what we have already accomplished while continuing our journey towards the blue sky and beyond. This is all about our kids and we owe it to them to be the best and not rest until we are. It is humbling to work with a group so committed to excellence.