Innovation: My Story

I was recently discussing the idea of approaching life with grit and tenacity with some of my students. This week they are bogged down with AP exams in addition to their typical workload. I want to join in on their complaining as this assignment lingers in the back of my head; instead, I offer advice. I picture the crumpled up notebook paper that covers my desk, the color-coded Post-it notes that look more like something found in a police station (on TV) than an outline, and the dogs who are wondering why we aren’t spending our evening outside. And then I realize I’m approaching this all wrong. I can’t tackle a year’s worth of work in a diagram. I think in stories. So here is mine.

I started this degree program just like everything else in my life. I make a hasty decision, jump in without looking, and figure it out from there. Within the first few weeks, I realized the work I was doing was actually meaningful – a shocking realization compared to my first master’s degree. When tasked to develop an innovation proposal and timeline of implementation, I quickly decided on integrating ePortfolios in my classroom. I turned to the research to learn more, find the benefits, and the myriad uses. With a vague plan, I forged ahead and introduced the idea to my students and a few colleagues. With their help and my continued process of developing my plan, I feel like I am even more prepared to commit to this change initiative.

Throughout the process and planning of this initiative, I haven’t had to overhaul much or make drastic changes (some dates needed attention); rather, with every course, my plan grows in strength. My pitch still holds true, but how I will introduce this, gain support, and lead change has developed.

It was easy to gain support from my administration and a few colleagues who, like me, were ready for something new. But to get more on board and for all stakeholders to truly be invested, I found myself back at the drawing board. In order to create this culture of change, I needed to reflect on my “why.”  From there, using the Influencer model and 4 Disciplines of Execution, I was able to develop to truly become a change agent.

And then, just when I thought my plan was complete, I went back to the research. This literature review focuses on global trends in information and communication technology – specifically, what works, what doesn’t work, and what could’ve been done better. Going back to the research has helped me find areas on which to focus as I continue to move forward. Additionally, this video serves as a reminder that we have the tools at our fingertips, but we need to use them – we must use them. John Dewey’s words still ring true, “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.”

In spite of all of the research, the information, and the planning, my story is not quite over. I’m continually revamping my plan for effective professional learning as this is one of the most important areas of focus for the success of this initiative. If teachers don’t understand the tools, how can we expect them to use them to their full potential?

As the school year winds down (it gives me such pleasure to type that), I’m already looking ahead to September. I look at what I’ve done this year with ePortfolios with my pilot groups and can’t wait to improve. With more involvement from my colleagues, I’m excited to see what we can develop together. Perhaps the most important lesson through all of this is to slow down – it’s a marathon, not a sprint. With one class down and not much knowledge of ePortfolios, I dove in. I’ve hit some choppy water along the way but maintained my grit and tenacity. I’m even more confident that the work I’ve done has been so much more than a requirement for a degree. This is going somewhere. This will be something. And that is exciting.