Rethinking Schools and Education

I recently enjoyed the privilege of interviewing my friend and mentor, Dr. Alan Pue. He's a life-long learner and long-term educator who served as a teacher, coach, administrator, and higher ed provost. He's also written three books on rethinking.

Rethinking is the process of reevaluating to see if changes are needed based on new data and conditions. Educators are coming face-to-face with radically new types of change that will alter the future direction of our schools in a multitude of ways.

To be effective in this rapidly changing environment requires that we be willing to rethink how we treat each other, how schools function and pursue the mission, and we measure success.

People who cannot invent and reinvent 
themselves must be content with borrowed 
postures, secondhand ideas, fitting in 
instead of standing out.  
— Warren Bennis

Things change and sometime we need to change. Those who remain open to rethinking experience less stress, greater resilience, and stronger relationships.

Rethinking is taking the time to change our perspective or opinion about a situation and our role in it. It’s choosing a different angle that expands our view and how we feel. 

Changing the way we do things can be very uncomfortable—even downright scary! That makes the temptation to fight against and stubbornly resist new ideas and practices even stronger. 

But, opportunities like this provide the chance to learn new things, update traditions and tired processes, and improve the way we deliver life-changing experiences. Our growth mindset enables us to embrace the discomfort and connect the dots in new and powerful ways.

You must learn a new way to think 
before you can master a new way to be. 
— Marianne Williamson

Most of us will have to rethink how schools are led, placing even greater emphasis on a healthy school culture where educators throughout the campus have the opportunity to thrive. 

Growing in today's environment will also require rethinking how educators are evaluated, utilizing a holistic approach to leadership and management that focuses on the variables that are actually within the control of school employees. 

If we limit our choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, we disconnect from our ideals and core values, leaving us with the miserable state of compromise.

Wherever we are is the starting point for something new that can elevate our impact. Educators are coming face-to-face with radically new types of change that will alter the future direction of education in a multitude of ways.

To be effective in this rapidly changing environment requires that we be willing to rethink how we treat each other, how schools function and pursue the mission, and we measure success.

Remain open to rethinking practices and decisions because as long as we're breathing we can grow and become so much more. After all, We Are Educators!

Love'em and Lead'em!

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We are thrilled that Dr. Alan Pue is joining the School Growth team, bringing his extensive experience and wisdom to the education leaders who are members of the School Growth Network.

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