Instructional leaders sometimes come to me frustrated because experienced teachers are resisting the new teaching ideas they want to bring to the classrooms. The leaders of the change see the resistance as negativity rather than a sign that the changes they are advocating are moving the experienced teachers out of their comfort zone. Actually, this resistance could be a sign that the leaders are making headway in moving the new teaching ideas deeper into the system!
So here are three tips to help keep your momentum moving forward for the change.
- Stop trying to be the expert! If you do all the leading, it may feel like you don’t think these experienced teachers are “good enough” now. Experienced teachers have skills that have served them well in the past. Recognize and honor these strengths as something to value and use in a new way.
- Get to know each experienced teacher well as an individual. What are his or her strengths? What does he or she care about?
- See yourself as a “learning partner” with them. How do the things they already do well connect to the new teaching idea? What could be the benefit if they take the risk to engage in learning this new way of teaching? Help them develop a compelling “WHY?” for the change.
What is your experience with teacher resistance to new instructional ideas?
Read more about this topic in the April issue of Educational Leadership. ow.ly/LpiLV
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