Task Zero-Review
The book Rocking the Boat by Myerson discusses how positive change can occur with one person having a vision to hold steadfast to their ideology and being willing to take responsibility to be that catalyst of change while maintaining personal and professional integrity. It discusses several groups of people are able to initiate change in their environment in a positive and effective manner. How subtle changes can become dramatic, impactful, lasting, change. These people are committed to a cause, community or ideology that is fundamentally different than their counterparts.
She brings to the point that being "Tempered radicals are people who operate on the fault line. They are organizational insiders who contribute and succeed in their jobs. At the same time, they are treated as outsiders because they represent ideals or agendas that are somehow at odds with the dominant culture"(2003. Meyerson. P.5). They pursue their ideologies but at the same time not alienate others, they are able to see a balance between the change they want to see and the what situations are in front of them. They understand to be a tempered radical a person must be in control and see the big picture and the full extent of the change they would like to occur. They are calculating and persevere through a variety of situations but are not discourage when the change does not occur but look for other alternate route to take to succeed and accomplish their goals.
Task One-How Am I Different:
The author Meyerson identifies three ways a person can be different are:
“Those who have different social identities from the majority and see those differences as setting them apart and excluding them from the mainstream.
Those who have different social identities and see those differences as merely cultural and not a basis for exclusion.
Those who have not cultural but philosophical differences, which conflict with the prevailing values, beliefs, and agendas operating in their organizations.”
I believe I am set apart is my philosophical differences with the organization, CPS. I became an educator as a second career prior to that I was a business analyst. My parents came from South America with very different beliefs and values therefore we were not exposed to some of the norms that my peers have experience as a student. As a student of CPS my parents knew little of the English language but we were encouraged to do our best.
I believe a student can be anything they desire that there are no limits. I feel that one of my responsibilities, as an educator is to inspire my students to dream big. I need to give my students the confidence to take risks and excel. As a bilingual teacher I let my students know they can be the catalyst of change for their family. As a mother of two children I have great expectation for my kids I need to have the same expectations for my students and not water-down the curriculum I need to inspire my students. I have collaborate with great teachers that show the same beliefs and encourage other teachers though example to continue to have high expectations of our students.
Task Two- Becoming a Tempered Radical:
I see myself as a tempered radical, I have tried to implement changes in my classroom and with my colleagues. As a business analyst I saw the importance of technology. And giving my students the opportunity to use technology and become comfortable using it as a learning tool. On the continuum, I see myself trying to leverage small wins. I have a great relationship with my technology coordinator about locating technology for my students. Unfortunately, we are in need of dire need of funds. There were times in our classroom computer center I was left with no working computers for several months. I was disappointed and discourage but at the same time I knew this was another opportunity to become solution oriented.
I spoke with my technology coordinator to set up an alternate schedule for my classroom that lasted for a couple of weeks. She has also help me with including technology in my classroom, by ordering me an IPIVO pen and an Elmo for my classroom.
At the end of last year my colleague and I discuss the importance of having 1-1 access to technology for our students. This year I was able to accomplish that goal but also I have also helped my colleagues do the same with her classroom and we are halfway there. I believe to continue to implement changes in my school by helping other colleagues with their technology and sharing my information so that as a school we can move forward and continue to be a 1+ school.
Task Three-Facing Challenges:
The author Meyerson discusses four levels of challenges: the difficulties of ambivalence, the incremental lures of co-optation, potential damage to their reputation, and frustration and burnout. I think the biggest challenge is frustration and burnout. I have seen great teachers that discuss that because of the system and the numerous changes that have occurred in the administration they have been burnout. I at times have felt sometimes frustrated in not being able to see the change and wonder if I am having enough of an impact on my students. But as a tempered radical I persist and move forward. I have learned to take a step back and reflect and see the changes that have occurred.
Meyerson, D. E. (2008). Rocking the boat: How to effect change without making trouble. Harvard Business Press
The book Rocking the Boat by Myerson discusses how positive change can occur with one person having a vision to hold steadfast to their ideology and being willing to take responsibility to be that catalyst of change while maintaining personal and professional integrity. It discusses several groups of people are able to initiate change in their environment in a positive and effective manner. How subtle changes can become dramatic, impactful, lasting, change. These people are committed to a cause, community or ideology that is fundamentally different than their counterparts.
She brings to the point that being "Tempered radicals are people who operate on the fault line. They are organizational insiders who contribute and succeed in their jobs. At the same time, they are treated as outsiders because they represent ideals or agendas that are somehow at odds with the dominant culture"(2003. Meyerson. P.5). They pursue their ideologies but at the same time not alienate others, they are able to see a balance between the change they want to see and the what situations are in front of them. They understand to be a tempered radical a person must be in control and see the big picture and the full extent of the change they would like to occur. They are calculating and persevere through a variety of situations but are not discourage when the change does not occur but look for other alternate route to take to succeed and accomplish their goals.
Task One-How Am I Different:
The author Meyerson identifies three ways a person can be different are:
“Those who have different social identities from the majority and see those differences as setting them apart and excluding them from the mainstream.
Those who have different social identities and see those differences as merely cultural and not a basis for exclusion.
Those who have not cultural but philosophical differences, which conflict with the prevailing values, beliefs, and agendas operating in their organizations.”
I believe I am set apart is my philosophical differences with the organization, CPS. I became an educator as a second career prior to that I was a business analyst. My parents came from South America with very different beliefs and values therefore we were not exposed to some of the norms that my peers have experience as a student. As a student of CPS my parents knew little of the English language but we were encouraged to do our best.
I believe a student can be anything they desire that there are no limits. I feel that one of my responsibilities, as an educator is to inspire my students to dream big. I need to give my students the confidence to take risks and excel. As a bilingual teacher I let my students know they can be the catalyst of change for their family. As a mother of two children I have great expectation for my kids I need to have the same expectations for my students and not water-down the curriculum I need to inspire my students. I have collaborate with great teachers that show the same beliefs and encourage other teachers though example to continue to have high expectations of our students.
Task Two- Becoming a Tempered Radical:
I see myself as a tempered radical, I have tried to implement changes in my classroom and with my colleagues. As a business analyst I saw the importance of technology. And giving my students the opportunity to use technology and become comfortable using it as a learning tool. On the continuum, I see myself trying to leverage small wins. I have a great relationship with my technology coordinator about locating technology for my students. Unfortunately, we are in need of dire need of funds. There were times in our classroom computer center I was left with no working computers for several months. I was disappointed and discourage but at the same time I knew this was another opportunity to become solution oriented.
I spoke with my technology coordinator to set up an alternate schedule for my classroom that lasted for a couple of weeks. She has also help me with including technology in my classroom, by ordering me an IPIVO pen and an Elmo for my classroom.
At the end of last year my colleague and I discuss the importance of having 1-1 access to technology for our students. This year I was able to accomplish that goal but also I have also helped my colleagues do the same with her classroom and we are halfway there. I believe to continue to implement changes in my school by helping other colleagues with their technology and sharing my information so that as a school we can move forward and continue to be a 1+ school.
Task Three-Facing Challenges:
The author Meyerson discusses four levels of challenges: the difficulties of ambivalence, the incremental lures of co-optation, potential damage to their reputation, and frustration and burnout. I think the biggest challenge is frustration and burnout. I have seen great teachers that discuss that because of the system and the numerous changes that have occurred in the administration they have been burnout. I at times have felt sometimes frustrated in not being able to see the change and wonder if I am having enough of an impact on my students. But as a tempered radical I persist and move forward. I have learned to take a step back and reflect and see the changes that have occurred.
Meyerson, D. E. (2008). Rocking the boat: How to effect change without making trouble. Harvard Business Press