Working At The Edge

Make School Different: Digital leadership & Transformation

Does power have to be a zero-sum game in our schools?

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The role of teacher is no longer to disseminate knowledge to passive learners. 

An alternate way for the teacher might be to co-design memorable experiences that acknowledge the identities, experiences, knowledge and wisdom each person brings to growing in the learning environment.

The role of leaders is no longer to dictate a vision and command subordinates to carry out a well-outlined plan.

An alternate way for the leader might be to create the conditions for the people that make up the learning community to contribute their individual gifts for the collective good of the community vision.

The role of learners is no longer about passively consuming the mandated curriculum.

An alternate way for the learner might be to exercise the innate agency to understand what makes the heart sing and discover ways to share those gifts for the betterment of the world.

Just like so many aspects of our current world, our roles are shifting–as teachers, leaders and learners.

At the heart of these shifts is power.

We don’t often think about power….we really just take it for granted.

I’m not a leader…I’m (just) a teacher….

I’m not the teacher…that’s your job….

As we deepen our understanding of these redefined roles in a transformed system, it’s absolutely critical that we interrogate this idea of power.

How might we begin?

An article from George Aye (Design Education’s Big Gap: Understanding the Role of Power) offers up some excellent (and potentially uncomfortable) questions for us to dig deeper into our assumptions about power.

  • When was the last time you felt powerless?
  • When was the last time you felt powerful?
  • What do you love about having power?
  • When was the last time you gave away your power (deliberately or otherwise)?
  • When was the last time you usurped someone else’s power?
  • In what situations do you not trust yourself with too much power?

System transformations are a result of personal transformations. 

And we’re all going to have to hold up the mirror and confront our beliefs, values and emotions around power.

—–

❓ Provocations:

Does power have to be a zero-sum game in our schools? What examples can you share where more empowered people (including learners) led to a thriving learning community?

💎 Resource:

How power really works in schools

🧠 Mindsets:

Objector

💡 Mindshift:

From passively accepting to radically curious.

📣 Drop your thoughts in the comments, or in the Facebook group, and feel free to share resources. 🔥🔥🔥

Randy Ziegenfuss
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