Getting Unstuck #199: Enabling Systems Change Through the Spirit and Science of Collaboration
The Takeaway
Because of COVID and the condition of our world today – think V.U.C.A: volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity – educators need to move beyond the traditional moral purpose of education to better prepare today’s students. This is the time to dig deeper into the essence of our collective humanity, and engage the spirit and science of collaboration to achieve greater success when working together. As Dr. Michael Fullan notes in our interview,
“We need to move beyond narrow academic ideas. They’re included here, but so is the good-at-life side. So, I think we need each other more than ever and, and we need it in a capacity building way of doing something together. So, look for those possibilities to work together on something that pays off that you can leverage into something much more.”
Our guests
Dr. Michael Fullan OC, is the former Dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Professor Emeritus of the University of Toronto. He is co-leader of the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning global initiative. Recognized as a worldwide authority on educational reform, he advises policymakers and local leaders in helping to achieve the moral purpose of all children learning. Dr. Fullan received the Order of Canada in December 2012. He holds honorary doctorates from several universities around the world.
Dr. Fullan is a prolific, award-winning author whose books have been published in many languages. His writings include Leading in a Culture of Change, Breakthrough (with Peter Hill and Carmel Crévola), Change Wars (with Andy Hargreaves) and Professional Capital (with Andy Hargreaves), The Principal: Three Keys for Maximizing Impact ; Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems (with Joanne Quinn); Deep Learning: Engage the Change the World (with Joanne Quinn and Joanne McEachen); and Nuance: Why Some Leaders Succeed and Others Fail.
“I really do believe people learn better together —when they're doing things together. — Dr. Mark Edwards
Dr. Mark Edwards served as a school superintendent for 25 years and has been widely recognized as a leader in digital innovation. He has published three books; Every Child Every Day , Thank You for Your Leadership, and most recently he co-authored Unstoppable Momentum with Michael Fullan.
Dr. Edwards was named the AASA National Superintendent. of the Year and the North Carolina Superintendent. of the Year in 2013. He served as Superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District for nine years leading the district to national and international acclaim as a district of excellence. Previously he also served as the Superintendent. of Henrico Co. VA for ten years and was named the VA Superintendent. of the Year in 2001.
In 2000 he led the first district-wide one to one laptop program in the nation. In 2017 he was named Top Thirty Transformational Leaders by the Center for Digital Learning.
As you listen
• What are the four trends that Drs Fullan and Edwards cite to underscore the need for systems change?
• To what does “spirit” refer to in the title of Michael and Mark’s book and how does it related to collaboration?
• What are two major forces working against systemic change?
• What does Dr. Fullan mean when he speaks of the “irony of lost learning”?
• According to Dr. Edwards, how can educators and parents work together more productively?
• How do the authors feel about the emphasis and integration of well-being and learning?
• Why is proactive adaptability / flexibility a critical skills for leaders to demonstrate?
In their own words
Education change is a continuous struggle between the forces of reform and the forces of institutional inertia.
