I have always considered
myself a rule-follower. Whether as a teenager under my parent’s roof, a young
adult on my own starting a career or to this day in my 23rd year in education,
I understand the importance of rules. Rules, as we know, are essential.
While some rules are
needed by society, others have been created by the changes over time. When it
comes to education and instructional best practices, how do rules come into
play in our profession? The reality is that in the world of teaching and
learning, educators are not only consumed by "rules" but they often fall
into the trap of "that is how it has always been done".
Times are changing.
Rules, and the way we do business in education, is transforming. We are
working our way out of that mindset. We are growing. Innovation is taking hold.
The mold is being broken, the lines are being blurred, the rules in education are
changing.
As we reflect on our
journey in leading and learning, many of us have found ourselves on both sides
of the equation of how rules impact our roles. More and more each day we as teachers and building
leaders are acknowledging the importance (and need) of having certain rules but
also embracing the importance of blurring the lines of those rules for the sake of student
experience, student engagement and teacher growth. In each of those there needs to be creativity, risk-taking and a passion for growth. We must be
the change. We must break the conformity in education. Being innovative is essential.
In the leadership role in which I serve, I have been fortunate to work alongside educators that want to push the boundaries of the comfort in their work. Many times it is others, myself included, that do the pushing. We challenge each other, we support each other and in the end, we trust each other in each step along the way. In
teaching and learning we need to be thinking about what it is in education that
has not evolved and ask tough questions and get uncomfortable. We are here to re-define education for today's student.
We know we don't get
better by staying the same. Pushing boundaries brings change and change is
welcomed. It is inevitable that change is going to happen. Let us control the direction in which it goes.
And when we are pushing boundaries, let's again make sure that we push
with purpose. We need to be intentional. We need to be mindful.
Education is anything
but a constant. Our best educators are asking the tough questions, challenging the norms
and offering instruction that is anything but traditional. As you think of your
leadership in the classroom, in your building or have the
amazing opportunity to be in front of an entire community, promise yourself
that you will push the boundaries of education. We all will benefit from this.
