EDC668ErinBergReflection

Change Project Reflection

By Erin Berg
Since this project will not take effect for at least a few more weeks (until school starts), I have no way to discuss how the change has happened or how it has affected my school. But, I am looking forward to the change that it will bring to the classroom. I think the most important action that will take place will be getting the initial classrooms set up. Once this cross-school collaboration is successful within two classrooms, it can be successful in any classroom. It will require much trial and error, but within a few months, I visualize this project beneficial for all involved.

Last year, I had the wonderful opportunity to create a cross-school collaborative art project with two other classrooms (Anne Smith’s English students and Matt Jackson’s music composition students). The students, together, created a VoiceThread with poetry, painting and music. The final product was remarkable. My students had a chance to Skype Matt’s students and ask them questions about how they created the music. The experience was one that my students truly enjoyed and will remember forever. It changed their thoughts about what ART is and what it can become. This project is a good indicator that our change project will eventually be successful.

The idea of change is not an option as an educator. Change is inevitable and necessary. To meet the needs of students today, educators should be constantly changing their practice. I am an agent of change because I will not settle for a static classroom; my classroom is a place where students as well as myself can question, learn and change.

Change first starts from within. Individuals need to learn to be flexible and open to change before they expect others to do the same. Once one learns that change only makes us better, then can he or she become an agent of change and help others change as well. This is where TRUE change begins. I think I learned this very concept as I was working through my action research project. As I presented my action research idea to my colleagues at work and my learning circle, my mind was set on MY ideas. I figured that only I would truly understand my field of action and I would be the best person to determine what would be best for my action research project. The more we discussed, the more I realized that truly, the “wisdom of crowds” was better than mine alone. I realized that I had to change some of my ideas before any big change could occur as a result of my action research project.

As my philosophy of learning has been changing, it has been important that I share what I am learning. I have become a small agent of change at Saratoga Shores Elementary. I have been part of some amazing changes at my school. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Marianne Willliamson.

//"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others."//

I feel as though when we finally let ourselves become agents of change and leaders, sharing ideas about which we are passionate, only then can we change the world, one action at a time. I hope that I can use my action research project as a springboard to continue changing not only my school, but my district as well. Then again, why stop there?