Making Change Happen

Fullan's point that "one of the keys to successful change is the improvement of relationships" speaks volumes. It's one thing to find an answer or develop a great idea, and it's quite another to make it happen. I continually wrestle with the question of what I can do to improve education. One professor, realizing my angst over feeling powerless, implored me to do what I could, but not expect to see quick change or progress. She reminded me that even though I felt I alone did not have the capacity to enact change, my work in my classroom was still something; and that collectively all of these small somethings would add up over time. I still think this professor has a good point, but in consideration of Fullan's emphasis on the interpersonal aspects of the "how," I now see that part of my work needs to be in the diplomacy of establishing connections with other stakeholders. Without other people, it is virtually impossible to see change to fruition. If I cannot move others to understand and support whatever "need" I identify, then the idea stops with me. I suppose that our collective group of Montclair students is a beginning. While most of us are in a scattering of different districts, like a web we are spreading out our beliefs and ideas for change. Those of us alone in a district will perhaps have to work harder than in districts where there are several of us to team up to do the lobbying for a change in school culture.