Leadership
Where Am I Now.
Rocking the Boat Book Review
REVIEW
The book Rocking the Boat: How to Effect Change Without Making Trouble, by Debra Meyerson was an interesting read. The idea of leadership is not one dimensional. There are many avenues to become a change agent. The term ‘tempered radical’ was used quite bit and reflects one of the main premises of the book. Being a ‘tempered radical’ can be achieved in multiple ways. According to Meyerson there is a range which seems to go from a focus on staying true to oneself (introverted) to organizing collective action (extroverted). Depending on the situation you are in and what you are comfortable taking on, I feel anyone can effect change.
TASK ONE
I am different in as many ways as I am the same. I know that sounds like a cop out, but as someone who lives in a pretty open society and has held to the saying “To each his or her own.” I feel we at times focus too much on differences and give too much power to those wish to divide us on personal or societal issues. This is where empathy plays such an important role. Of the three ways Debra Meyerson identifies of being different, I would say that I identify with my social identity as a source of difference. Being a male in the female dominated field of elementary school teaching has enabled me to bring a different point of view and help make my workplace a better place. As for anything missing in her framework that I can bring in, I believe she covered ways of being different well.
TASK TWO
Depending on the specific situation I could be anywhere on the continuum of being a tempered radical. Where I aim to be will also depend on the situation I am in. My goals moving forward would be to adapt to situations and fill the role that I can be most effective in. One of the lessons from the book that I identified with came from the Broadening the Impact through Negotiation chapter. I thought about the woman who felt ignored by her company’s R&D division. When the two sides were able to sit down and discuss the issues each faced, as colleagues, with the aid of someone who was able to negotiate both points of view, you saw understanding.
TASK THREE
There are times when challenges I face relate to Meyerson’s difficulties of ambivalence category. I have felt anxiety and guilt over making hard decisions. There are many questions as an educator that have no wrong or right answers. You have to make decisions and live with them, whether it be calling DCFS or continuing your curriculum when not all your students mastered it. At the end of the day you have to let go and realize you are part of a team and collectively you will continue to do the best you can, if not, you will be consumed and burn out.
The book Rocking the Boat: How to Effect Change Without Making Trouble, by Debra Meyerson was an interesting read. The idea of leadership is not one dimensional. There are many avenues to become a change agent. The term ‘tempered radical’ was used quite bit and reflects one of the main premises of the book. Being a ‘tempered radical’ can be achieved in multiple ways. According to Meyerson there is a range which seems to go from a focus on staying true to oneself (introverted) to organizing collective action (extroverted). Depending on the situation you are in and what you are comfortable taking on, I feel anyone can effect change.
TASK ONE
I am different in as many ways as I am the same. I know that sounds like a cop out, but as someone who lives in a pretty open society and has held to the saying “To each his or her own.” I feel we at times focus too much on differences and give too much power to those wish to divide us on personal or societal issues. This is where empathy plays such an important role. Of the three ways Debra Meyerson identifies of being different, I would say that I identify with my social identity as a source of difference. Being a male in the female dominated field of elementary school teaching has enabled me to bring a different point of view and help make my workplace a better place. As for anything missing in her framework that I can bring in, I believe she covered ways of being different well.
TASK TWO
Depending on the specific situation I could be anywhere on the continuum of being a tempered radical. Where I aim to be will also depend on the situation I am in. My goals moving forward would be to adapt to situations and fill the role that I can be most effective in. One of the lessons from the book that I identified with came from the Broadening the Impact through Negotiation chapter. I thought about the woman who felt ignored by her company’s R&D division. When the two sides were able to sit down and discuss the issues each faced, as colleagues, with the aid of someone who was able to negotiate both points of view, you saw understanding.
TASK THREE
There are times when challenges I face relate to Meyerson’s difficulties of ambivalence category. I have felt anxiety and guilt over making hard decisions. There are many questions as an educator that have no wrong or right answers. You have to make decisions and live with them, whether it be calling DCFS or continuing your curriculum when not all your students mastered it. At the end of the day you have to let go and realize you are part of a team and collectively you will continue to do the best you can, if not, you will be consumed and burn out.
Long and Short Term Goals
The short term goal I would like to achieve in the next six months would be to align the STEM curriculum vertically across all grades at my school. This would entail a common vocabulary and an universal design method that can be applied to most situations and lessons. In order to achieve this I would work with my colleagues and brainstorm common needs aligned with the NGSS.
My long term goal would be to aid in the implementation of the curriculum and see to its fidelity. I would accomplish this by meeting with teachers and discussing areas of need. Whether it be a refresher in the scientific method or help finding resources any help I can give will aid in advancing our mission as a STEM school.
My long term goal would be to aid in the implementation of the curriculum and see to its fidelity. I would accomplish this by meeting with teachers and discussing areas of need. Whether it be a refresher in the scientific method or help finding resources any help I can give will aid in advancing our mission as a STEM school.