#APChat Archive
Professional development expert Jared Wastler, hosts a Twitter conversation at 8:00 p.m. (ET) using #APChat.
Sunday May 21, 2017
8:00 PM EDT
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Welcome to . Please take a moment to introduce yourself.
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Jared Wastler, HS Principal in PA, PD Faculty, and Moderator for
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Hello. Derek Fialkiewicz, principal Lied MS in Las Vegas, NV and 2017 APOY Finalist
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Tonight we are talking "Are we innovating or just talking about it?"
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Q1: What does it mean to "innovate"?
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A1: As says, innovation is a mindset of continual improvement.
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A1: To me, innovation means stepping outside of the box and trying something not done before.
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Important that the outside the box part is done to improve, not just to do something new
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Q2: What barriers stand in the way for schools to being truly innovative?
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A1 To innovate is to think & act outside the traditional system. My Innovating & Risk-Taking page https://t.co/YcogiGYY4b
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A2: My biggest barrier is people who fear change, even though I can show the status quo isn't effective.
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A2: Change is scary...talking about it can be even scarier. Have to change the mindset that improvement means something is wrong.
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We need to move their hearts with urgency. Data doesn't compel people to act.
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Another barrier is initiative overload. Innovation is not an initiative, but educators are tired. Consistency matters.
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Q3: What are the accelerators we have to support innovation in our schools?
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A2: A school is a very large ship. Positive change can happen with time and decisions made according to a consistent vision.
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A3: We have people who want to do their best and improve. Must use these eduleaders to move the needle.
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A3: I use examples of comparable schools. Teachers and staff spending time on other campuses learning from others.
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A3: I also model my expectations for teachers to show it can work on our campus with our students.
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Modeling is crucial. Educators want to visit and learn, often scared to ask. We need to help them see and learn.
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A3: Teacher leaders on campus willing to step outside of their comfort zone to try something new and show the rest of the staff.
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They are the rockstars...and they feed the next level of change agents.
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Q4: Are we killing innovation by talking about it? Thoughts?
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A4: I am all about less talking about innovation and more showing/doing. Prove you are more than just words.
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A4: When it is all we focus on, rather than the work...yes. We need to focus and find short term wins.
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100%. We need to be open in what we do but we cannot live by words alone.
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Q5: Given the educational landscape, where are the best opportunities for innovation in our schools?
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A5: We have opportunities everywhere, but professional learning allows us to build the groundwork.
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A5: Since most can agree parental/family involvement is key, I find it easier to start there.
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A5: Teachers seem to be more open to new ways to involve families. Then we build on those successes to try for others.
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Do you find that it is harder since some parents envision school as they remember it?
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I invite parents onto campus whenever possible, and offer classes to show what we are teaching today isn't that different.
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Q6: How can we involve our students in the process of innovating our schools?
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A6: We need to listen and value their voice. Just had 250 9th graders writing improvement goals on Friday. Pretty smart kiddos!
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A6: I talk with and listen to students daily. They know what is working and what isn't. I learn a lot from them.
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Honesty is impressive, but their solutions are even more so.
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Good talking with you tonight. Enjoy what's left of your weekend and keep being the change we need.
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Thank you for moderating. I always enjoy it. Same Bat Time, same Bat Channel next week...
