What are the key successes and challenges in change efforts that you have witnessed or experienced? by Nadine Ekstrom

2024-08-05 17:34:07 UTC

Kim

The most challenging thing I encountered was a small group of toxic staff that tried to control everything in the school and, when change was suggested, would campaign to shut it down. They would intimidate and bully other staff to fight change or to keep quiet.

2024-08-05 17:34:16 UTC

Leah!

2024-08-05 17:34:28 UTC

2024-08-05 17:34:30 UTC

Not feeling valued/respected by other Administrators.

2024-08-05 17:35:06 UTC

Getting buy in from administration.

2024-08-05 17:35:16 UTC

2024-08-05 17:35:18 UTC

Definite different philosophies of how inclusion should be approached

2024-08-05 17:35:25 UTC

2024-08-05 17:35:34 UTC

here

2024-08-05 17:35:35 UTC

2024-08-05 17:35:44 UTC

Challenging: There were no cohesive structures, protocols or professional learning when I first came to the District

The IEP Platform could not generate reports for data dives, access and permissions to change IEPs, IEP dates, etc. were allowed to every special education teacher.

2024-08-05 17:35:52 UTC

By in from key stakeholders.

2024-08-05 17:35:59 UTC

Overcoming "we've always done it this way" and also previous leader not following up on things so staff not expecting follow up and implementation

2024-08-05 17:36:02 UTC

Try to utilize these people to lead the change or empower them to be champions.

2024-08-05 17:36:08 UTC

People being sad about the change for a good reason.

2024-08-05 17:36:22 UTC

2024-08-05 17:36:25 UTC

Working with building administrators and getting buy in from them.

2024-08-05 17:36:26 UTC

The budget

2024-08-05 17:36:33 UTC

Accepting that change needed to happen

2024-08-05 17:36:36 UTC

Resistance from stakeholders who were worried about losing autonomy

2024-08-05 17:36:54 UTC

Getting buy in from the staff to implement with fidelity. Some staff were on board to fully implement changes, while others want to leave things as they have previously been

2024-08-05 17:36:54 UTC

Skeptics - invited them into the process

Cynics - provided data they couldn't argue

2024-08-05 17:37:03 UTC

Just trying my best to engage both and have them as leaders as much as possible through the process.

2024-08-05 17:37:05 UTC

I used more frequent meetings to discuss data, what's working, what isn't working

2024-08-05 17:37:08 UTC

I supported by explaining the thinking about the change and listing the alternatives (and why they were not viable).

2024-08-05 17:37:14 UTC

Provided lots of data and reseeach

2024-08-05 17:37:23 UTC

"The most dangerous phrase in the language is "we've always done it this way". -Grace Hopper.

I think that the most challenging shift to change is building trust to try something new and being willing to take those steps forward AND being accountable to those changes nd making sure my follow through is on point.

2024-08-05 17:37:28 UTC

Having them look at data and why the change is needed- research, etc

2024-08-05 17:37:33 UTC

Met with each individual about their views on program strengths, areas for growth, needed resources, and next steps and shared this as part of data to support change; active listening; showing positive change through survey and feedback

2024-08-05 17:37:36 UTC

Over representation of students in specialized programming (pull-out for significant amounts during day)

2024-08-05 17:37:42 UTC

You know it is successful when you meet the goals of the change.

2024-08-05 17:37:45 UTC

The total number of program classrooms was not reduced, staff were not let go or reduced, but the resources were shared equitably across the grade spans. More kids at the HS means that we needed more classrooms at that level

2024-08-05 17:37:55 UTC

Addressing the cynics

2024-08-05 17:37:56 UTC

We tried to involve them in the process and give them a voice. We also showed data to support the need for a change.

2024-08-05 17:37:57 UTC

Lack of support and/or vision from upper administration

2024-08-05 17:38:03 UTC

It took a lot of time for it to be supported but as more skeptics saw meaningful change in their classrooms, the word spread that this change was worth it

2024-08-05 17:38:14 UTC

Both bldg admin and teachers agreed to be a part of the program development and participate in year long PD

2024-08-05 17:38:14 UTC

Student need- being student centered.

2024-08-05 17:38:19 UTC

Letting them voice their concerns and bring ideas forward. Maybe there are things they are thinking about that I could give more thought to. If I then say no to something or go in a different direction, at least I can explain why.

2024-08-05 17:38:21 UTC

The most challenging circumstance I have encountered in change is the fear and/or anxiety around the change. As a leader, I think it's very important to prepare staff of change in more time than you think they need, communicating what is to come, how we are going to support you through it, and this is how we will listen to your feedback and make corrections. I think the "voice" aspect to change is critical to success.

2024-08-05 17:38:23 UTC

Supporting adults unlearning the status quo

2024-08-05 17:38:23 UTC

It was supported by added PD, discussion and training. I know it happened because it was about program change.

2024-08-05 17:38:24 UTC

Disagreeing with the conclusions others have drawn..

2024-08-05 17:38:25 UTC

The change was not fully supported due to the lack of administrative support at the building level.

2024-08-05 17:38:27 UTC

Getting other administrators on board with the new teacher evaluation system

2024-08-05 17:38:43 UTC

Teachers feeling that certain students where not their students and that these students needed to be educated somewhere else.

2024-08-05 17:38:46 UTC

We required teachers to regularly upload evidence that they were implementing the requested change.

2024-08-05 17:38:50 UTC

Supported through regular meetings. The team knowing and seeing it's a priority and that I will follow through on the initiative.

2024-08-05 17:38:51 UTC

Trust building and calling them in vs calling them out

2024-08-05 17:38:52 UTC

Creating exemplars and referencing rubrics

2024-08-05 17:39:00 UTC

Open discussion and adjustments before and early in practice; schedules changed to accommodate new practice; student and staff survey and discussion of data; comments overheard in halls, etc.

2024-08-05 17:39:04 UTC

Had the support of an important district admin and a few influential teachers . Worked it top down and bottom up.

2024-08-05 17:39:06 UTC

Skeptics were asked to join focus groups to support the change.

2024-08-05 17:39:07 UTC

A need to serve students better and grow programs more cohesively.

2024-08-05 17:39:20 UTC

A program needed expansion and we had built a new school which could support the program with sq footage.

2024-08-05 17:39:22 UTC

students report feeling more connected to adults

2024-08-05 17:39:26 UTC

Need to reduce downtime and expose all students to certain core skills

2024-08-05 17:39:27 UTC

The change was brought about due to low performing scores on district/state testing.

2024-08-05 17:39:37 UTC

Creation of "committee" to discuss different aspects and implications of the proposed plan - gain consensus in key players with "voice" in the district

2024-08-05 17:39:42 UTC

The district had a consistent approach to teacher evals

2024-08-05 17:39:43 UTC

The parents were skeptical that it would work because they were hearing from teachers that they were concerned. So I met with the teachers and with parents and with SEPAC. I shared data about the number of resources, the impact on children and the level of services. I was as transparent as possible.

2024-08-05 17:39:45 UTC

Achieved critical mass and the hold outs had no choice but to go along to get along

2024-08-05 17:40:02 UTC

We didn't make an option not to get on board :)

2024-08-05 17:40:14 UTC

Time, holding to norms and values, and deep conversations with staff about their own experiences

2024-08-05 17:40:40 UTC

The timeline of how to share the process with whom and when. Everyone wanted to share their opinion and everyone wanted to lead the change or not change.

2024-08-05 17:40:42 UTC

When there was a need for an immediate change, I collaborated with the Union representatives (there are four) and president on how we could move forward without infringing on the rights of the individual District employee contracts.

2024-08-05 17:41:02 UTC

Change was implemented by the majority of staff then cynics felt compelled to comply.

2024-08-05 17:41:19 UTC

Budget - only allowed to use funds for certain initiatives helps to push this mindset shift.

2024-08-05 17:41:25 UTC

Requests for out of district programming and the need to provide programming in district

2024-08-05 17:41:27 UTC

Student data

2024-08-05 17:41:43 UTC

We worked together to collect short-term data to support the notion that the change we wanted to see in student behavior through PBIS was working. Part of each staff meeting was to look at the data and discuss the challenges and the highlights.

2024-08-05 17:41:44 UTC

Consensus among the three of the four Unions leaders and representatives made it easier for the last Union to sign on.

2024-08-05 17:42:18 UTC

Need to adhere to IEP Compliance, Data Reporting and PRS Complaint Corrective Action Plans

2024-08-05 17:42:43 UTC

The change has been supported by data and significant improvements in students' reading especially at K-2 level.

2024-08-05 17:42:46 UTC

I asked the skeptics to be part of the solution including parents, teachers, staff, admins, etc.

2024-08-05 17:42:46 UTC

The system was created by the staff and 15 years later, is still a main focus at the school that has grown and changed for the better.

2024-08-05 17:43:10 UTC

People were wedded to beliefs and past practice

2024-08-05 17:43:31 UTC

The realization that previous approaches to literacy failed once students reached 4th grade +.

2024-08-05 17:43:36 UTC

I tend to "like" the skeptics and hide from the "cynics." The skeptics are helpful because they bring up failed initiatives of the past, raise potential problem spots we hadn't considered and help to trouble-shoot to support the change. Cynics need a lot more relationship building and buy-in. Building relationships with these people is critical.

2024-08-05 17:44:13 UTC

Data support for the ways that the change would be better for kids

2024-08-05 17:44:32 UTC

People being fearful about change and the idea of trying something new.

2024-08-05 17:44:36 UTC

Behavior was addressed differently throughout the school and in different settings. Everyone used different language, and some were extremely punitive.

2024-08-05 17:44:37 UTC

I knew it was supported by outward support by all including the skeptics. I measured success using surveys of staff and student outcomes if appropriate.

2024-08-05 17:44:39 UTC

Reduction in overuse of certain disability categories

2024-08-05 17:45:05 UTC

Significant disproportionality

2024-08-05 17:45:41 UTC

The most successful change came as a result of parents and/or outside groups.