Why: As instructional coaches, we must be the ripple effect to inspire change and growth within our new teachers through our new teacher academy, which will, in turn, impact our students' success as they become lifelong learners.
How: To achieve our goals, we need to support and collaborate with new teachers through blended learning, allowing them to have a voice and choose the structures they would like to implement in their classrooms to show growth.
What: We prepare and support teachers through blended learning who can implement instructional change in the classroom to show student growth and success.
My educational journey, especially the freedom that was given to me in this program, created a passion for fostering students' voice and choice in their learning and thinking. The passion added to my “why” in education. As I look back, I can't help but wonder how much more impactful my own learning could have been if this approach had been available to me in a learning setting prior to my master's degree. As an instructional coach, I have the opportunity to be a ripple effect in the change for teachers that will in turn affect their students. The importance of creating a sense of urgency and a clear vision for change is emphasized in Kotter's (2013) approach to leading change initiatives. This is why for my district I believe that an essential shift in our new teacher academy and onboarding is crucial. The opportunity to integrate a blended learning approach into new teacher academies can equip educators with tools, strategies, and a culture that nurtures the love of learning for their students in the classroom. This vision inspired me to create an innovation plan during my master's program. The plan focuses on integrating technology, critical thinking, and problem-solving to foster students' love of learning and prepare them to be lifelong learners. The newly redesigned teacher onboarding program will be a stepping stone in achieving our transformative vision. It will provide new educators with the skills and resources to create classrooms that spark curiosity, encourage innovation, and ultimately prepare students to thrive in a world shaped by technology and continuous learning. The future of education is dependent on change. It is important for us to move past traditional lecture-based, teacher-led instruction. We must commit to our "why," listen to our hearts, adopt blended learning, and utilize technology effectively. Our goal is to form fit education to each student or teacher, allowing them to become the best versions of themselves.
Resources:
Kotter, J. (2011, March, 23). The heart of change. [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NKti9MyAAw
Kotter, J. (2013, August, 15). Leading change: Establish a sense of urgency. [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yfrj2Y9IlI
Sinek, S. (2014, March, 3). Start with why: Ted talk short edited. [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPYeCltXpxw