Becoming a Change Agent

picture from allergykids.com

I was having a discussion with a colleague last week about the frustrations of integrating technology at times and her reply was, “Well, sometimes it’s difficult being a change agent.” As I was driving home that afternoon, I thought about what that meant. Not having a clear picture of the role of a change agent, I looked it up. The definition is as follows; “someone who alters human capability or organizational systems to achieve a higher degree of output or self actualization." Whoa. This required more research. I’ve always thought that being an agent of change would be a noble aspiration and I’m not sure that I qualify for the title. 

After doing some more reading, I discovered Dennis Stevenson’s blog where he defined what it feels like to be a change agent. He starts with, “A change agent lives in the future, not the present.” To be an effective educator, I feel that we must always be looking at the future and the skills that our students will need to be successful. It’s difficult because it’s always evolving, however, by looking forward and maintaining our vision, it drives us to make changes in our classroom that are needed. 

He continues with, “A change agent is fueled by passion, and inspires passion in others.” Good teachers are all fueled by passion for learning. It’s what drives our creativity and channels our enthusiasm and excitement to our students. It’s what helps me through the technology roadblocks as I look for creative solutions. 

“A change agent has a strong ability to self-motivate.” This is a critical piece to moving a classroom forward towards the future vision. There is often resistance to change from staff, from parents, and even students. It’s hard to stay positive and focused at times when others are telling you it won’t work, students can’t, it takes too much time. 

Leaping by Rick Harrison (CC)

Finally, “a change agent must understand people.” For me, this means spending time helping other staff members be successful with technolgy and educating my parents and students about the need for innovation and change in education.

So am I a change agent? Absolutely! I embrace the role because it’s important. We can be better, we can move forward faster, and we can change the way we educate our students. Everyone says that changing education takes a long time. That may have been true in the past, but if we are focused on the future and helping each other learn, perhaps more change agents will be created along the way and education will take a huge leap forward.

by: Kami Thordarson, Innovative Strategies Coach