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Where am i now?
Rocking the Boat
Review:
Rocking the Boat: How to Effect Change Without Making Trouble, by Debra E. Meyerson, discusses the careful balance between an individual’s belief system, the expectable norms of the corporation, and how to be the vehicle for change. This concept has been evolving in the corporate world for many years. As we become a more global economy, changes must be made in order to allow for diversity in the workplace without repercussions. Meyerson discusses the fine line between being an individual that promotes change and being identified as a radical or troublemaker. This requires small subtle changes to change the culture of the organization. In addition, Meyerson provides strategies to promote change without becoming a radical. She goes into further detail regarding the organization of groups to be able to invoke change through their power and resources of the individuals. By spearheading collective actions, this can foster the environment for change within the organization. Finally, Meyerson discusses that change does not have to be immediately apparent but can still lead to lasting change. Therefore, the individual must be in it for the long haul rather than immediate action. The tortoise will win the race.
How am I different?
Meyerson identifies three ways people can experience difference:
Becoming a Tempered Radical:
On the Tempered Radical spectrum, I would tend to be continually leveraging small wins. However, the determination of where to fall on the scale is co-dependent on the topic at hand and the level of passion associated with the topic. As a career changer, it was critical to prepare students for not only the world of work but also higher education. My previous position was in human resources, training, and employee satisfaction. Many employees were not prepared for the world of work. When beginning my career as an educator, it was critical that the students were more prepared in this area. Therefore, workforce ethics needs to be learned in high school. There is much resistance faced since many educators have never been in any other career. Therefore, it requires many small wins to change the environment and the school culture to support career readiness for the students. It is my goal to provide the students a well-rounded education not only academically but social/emotionally.
Facing challenges:
Meyerson identifies four challenges with facing difficulties:
Rocking the Boat: How to Effect Change Without Making Trouble, by Debra E. Meyerson, discusses the careful balance between an individual’s belief system, the expectable norms of the corporation, and how to be the vehicle for change. This concept has been evolving in the corporate world for many years. As we become a more global economy, changes must be made in order to allow for diversity in the workplace without repercussions. Meyerson discusses the fine line between being an individual that promotes change and being identified as a radical or troublemaker. This requires small subtle changes to change the culture of the organization. In addition, Meyerson provides strategies to promote change without becoming a radical. She goes into further detail regarding the organization of groups to be able to invoke change through their power and resources of the individuals. By spearheading collective actions, this can foster the environment for change within the organization. Finally, Meyerson discusses that change does not have to be immediately apparent but can still lead to lasting change. Therefore, the individual must be in it for the long haul rather than immediate action. The tortoise will win the race.
How am I different?
Meyerson identifies three ways people can experience difference:
- Those who have different social identities from the majority and see those differences as setting them apart and excluding them from the mainstream.
- Those who have different social identities and see those differences as merely cultural and not a basis for exclusion.
- Those who have not cultural but philosophical difference, which conflict with the prevailing values, beliefs, and agendas operating in their organizations.
Becoming a Tempered Radical:
On the Tempered Radical spectrum, I would tend to be continually leveraging small wins. However, the determination of where to fall on the scale is co-dependent on the topic at hand and the level of passion associated with the topic. As a career changer, it was critical to prepare students for not only the world of work but also higher education. My previous position was in human resources, training, and employee satisfaction. Many employees were not prepared for the world of work. When beginning my career as an educator, it was critical that the students were more prepared in this area. Therefore, workforce ethics needs to be learned in high school. There is much resistance faced since many educators have never been in any other career. Therefore, it requires many small wins to change the environment and the school culture to support career readiness for the students. It is my goal to provide the students a well-rounded education not only academically but social/emotionally.
Facing challenges:
Meyerson identifies four challenges with facing difficulties:
- The difficulties of ambivalence (psychological challenges-anxiety, guilt, loneliness, accusations of hypocrisy)
- The incremental lures of co-optation (psychological challenges – fear of exclusion) – “reasonable compromises”: waiting for a “better time”, using “insider” language, developing a professional image, providing loyalty, complying with gender roles.
- Potential damages to their reputation (result when acting on their differences)
- Frustration and burnout (resulting when acting on their differences)
Setting Goals: Instrumental and Missional Thinking
Short-Term Goals:
It is my desire to attend a local education conference that would be focusing on integration of technology into the classroom. In addition, locate a professional development opportunity that focuses on integration of real world experiences in the mathematics classroom. Next, I would present to our Teacher Collaboration Team meeting the concepts learned through the MSUrbanStem program. This presentation would focus on the various instructional practices learned during the program. Furthermore, I would discuss the same topics at my next Algebra Learning Leaders meeting to possibly create some additional professional development opportunities throughout the district. This would provide an opportunity for like-minded individuals to make connections and provide a platform for discussion. This would assist in creating change long-term.
Long-Term Goals:
It would be nice to present at the NCTM conference to share my ideas and how it is a demonstration of Tru Math Dimensions. This would provide me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills and locate like-minded individuals on a national level. Furthermore, it would be nice to provide professional develop opportunities throughout the district. In turn, collaborative learning communities will be developed and fostered. Through collaboration, it will provide for an opportunity professional growth and innovative ideas. Furthermore, this will provide for a platform to have a positive impact on colleagues and peers.
It is my desire to attend a local education conference that would be focusing on integration of technology into the classroom. In addition, locate a professional development opportunity that focuses on integration of real world experiences in the mathematics classroom. Next, I would present to our Teacher Collaboration Team meeting the concepts learned through the MSUrbanStem program. This presentation would focus on the various instructional practices learned during the program. Furthermore, I would discuss the same topics at my next Algebra Learning Leaders meeting to possibly create some additional professional development opportunities throughout the district. This would provide an opportunity for like-minded individuals to make connections and provide a platform for discussion. This would assist in creating change long-term.
Long-Term Goals:
It would be nice to present at the NCTM conference to share my ideas and how it is a demonstration of Tru Math Dimensions. This would provide me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills and locate like-minded individuals on a national level. Furthermore, it would be nice to provide professional develop opportunities throughout the district. In turn, collaborative learning communities will be developed and fostered. Through collaboration, it will provide for an opportunity professional growth and innovative ideas. Furthermore, this will provide for a platform to have a positive impact on colleagues and peers.